THE MOST IMPORTANT SKILLS IN TENNIS 

​

Coordination :

Coordination is the ability to perform a series of discreet body movements at the same time.  Tennis requires this ability due to the time pressure created by the opponent’s shot, and the player’s intention to counter attack by placing the ball in a particular zone.

Each shot is a problem to be solved with anticipation. This is created by time pressure and the organisation of motor movements and balance necessary to deliver the shot according to the player’s tactical intentions. Balance is included.

Tennis develops this ability naturally, but it can be supplemented by working the body with training drills. This is where the creativity of the coach comes in to play. 

​

Power :

POWER = STRENGTH x SPEED

STRENGTH = Ability to move a heavy object under no time pressure.

SPEED = Ability to complete a movement (with no resistance) as quickly as possible.

The combination of both is the ability to move your own bodyweight as quickly as possible.

Power develops on the court through high intensity training, but strength and speed can also be gained separately. Strength is gained in the gym, preferably post-adolescence, supervised by a specialist. Running speed can be increased through either on court or on track training. 

​

Speed endurance : 

The ability to maintain maximum physical effort for the longest possible time (long rally), and repeatedly.

As tennis sprints are short, endurance can be developed elsewhere over longer distances. However, it is still useful to train on the court with numerous direction changes.

To be able to repeat maximum effort, training loads are progressively increased while also carefully monitoring recovery time. This is important to avoid fatigue and or injury.

​

Concentration :

Concentration is a person’s awareness of the present situation combined with attention to events and focus on tasks. It requires the capacity to block out psychological ‘noise’, real and imagined distractions. 

It is constantly demanded in tennis and a coach must ensure students maintain the necessary level during practice and gameplay, in order to achieve the best results.

​

Self confidence :

We can identify 2 areas : 

• The first area relates to upbringing. Subconscious markers are left on people. These can affect self-belief, how well success or failure is accepted, how likely the player is to remain committed or develop bad habits, the capacity to experience different feelings, including pleasure, and to let themselves go. The more developed the ego, the more importance is given to results, and the more extreme is the reaction to failure and self-criticism. In such cases, the causes must be identified and the player should be helped to verbalise their fears, in order to take stock and refocus on the sport,

 

• The second area consists of repetition. To train in such a way that the player is able to execute movements unconsciously. Similar to installing a program on a hard disk in order to complete tasks using minimum energy. Players train to automatise certain movements. This allows them to focus on other tasks, such as observing their opponent or employing a particular tactic.