How many games into a match should it take you to find a weakness or a strength on the other side of the net?

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Answer: 4 or 5 games or even in the warmup.

At all levels of tennis, even up to the pros, there is always a strength and weakness.

A strength can be a player who hits a winner with a forehand, backhand, volley, drop shot, serve, or overhead. The key is to communicate with your partner, talk about the strength, do NOT feed the strength, and keep reminding each other throughout the course of the match. Serve to the weaker side, play Australian formation when serving so the return goes a different direction, and no volleys or overheads to the stronger player.

A weakness is a stroke that is missed at least two times in the first 4 games. It is usually a stroke that is not hit as hard or as deep or with any authority. Once again the key is to communicate with your partner about the weakness you see, and especially the weaker player.

Now the big question! Will you have more success keeping away from the strength or attacking the weakness?

Answer: Attack, Attack, ATTACK the weakness! Come to the net on the weaker player, poach early and often, lob to the weaker player. Especially at the end of a set whether you are ahead or behind, keep communicating and reminding each other about the weakness on the other side. A weaker player will fell the most pressure at the end of a set and eventually will break down with more errors.

Become a smarter player - there is always a strength and weakness across the net. FIND IT!

Sissy Says: "I sure wish I had read this BEFORE my match tonight!!!!!" :-)