Phase Play: Offensive & Defensive

Tennis can be described very simply in terms of three phases: offensive, neutral, and defensive.

We are going to discuss some simple judgement errors that are common even among the pros, but far more common as we go down from 7.0 to 2.5 on the USTA scale.

The neutral phase is the foundation of the game - but when we talk about losing the neutral phase, we need the three P’s: power, placement, and court position.

If you have not read it yet, start with Phase Play: Neutral.

1. Power

If you hit the ball into a comfortable zone 2 (the knee-to-chest-height area where most people hit their best shots) and allow your opponent to generate power, there is a real risk you will be moved into the defensive phase.

If you hit in a way that generates a response giving you time and space to accelerate racket-head speed, you may be on the brink of stepping up into the offensive phase.

2. Placement

Use the first couple of games to identify which shots are your opponent’s least favorite - then start placing the ball there consistently.

That placement lowers the risk of them hitting a powerful or well-placed shot that moves them into the offensive phase. (Think Nadal and Federer: Nadal’s heavy, high-bouncing zone 3 ball to Federer’s backhand is a long-term gamble that Federer will not produce enough offense from that location - a gamble that paid handsome dividends for years.)

Uncomfortable targets that show up again and again:

• High backhand
• Back behind them
• Slice low
• Multiple cross-courts, challenging them to be first to change direction
• Variety (so they cannot groove one contact)

3. Court position

I am frequently amazed at how little attention this topic receives. Most players focus on shots and technique, but do not train excellence at choosing shots that protect court position.

Simple example: opponent hits cross-court; you go down the line; they go cross-court again to the open corner. Because a cross-court ball can cross over the alley, it can make you run wider than a down-the-line ball could. More running means more chance of hitting short; short means more chance they move into offense - which means more chance you lose the point.

They can also go back behind you more easily, because you are moving faster and turning is harder.

By opening the court carelessly, you create opportunities to be hurt on position. The correct default is often to go back cross-court - unless one of these conditions is met:

• You hit a slower, deep ball down the line and have time to recover position
• You can move forward and take time away, attacking their position
• You drop the ball purposefully short to bring them in, ready to pass or lob
• You are timing the ball well and can hit down the line offensively

Resetting the point

To round this out: develop patience and excellent finishing skills.

It is essential to identify the phase of play and to be comfortable with a reset - from offensive to neutral to defensive and back. Often we see panic when someone has the chance to move into offense, the opponent defends well, and neutral is re-established.

At that moment you must rebuild the point - giving the opponent credit for the reset - instead of forcing your way back into offense out of frustration.

Someone who is adept at resetting will be extremely successful, because most people wish they had already finished the point. They become hopeful and agitated, force the issue, and make the error.

Finishing without letting the reset happen

To keep a point from being reset, identify real offensive opportunities and execute the short sequence that should end the point:

• Big forehand
• Volleying the floating ball out of the air
• Good court position at net
• Finishing volley
• Overhead

Practice questions

When you train, ask:

• How many times am I successfully moving from offense to the conclusion of the point?
• Am I allowing the point to be easily reset?
• How good have I been at resetting when I am under pressure?

Have fun thinking about this. Phase awareness turns random ball-striking into real point construction.