A TACTICAL CONSIDERATION

by Shahab Monzavi
INTRODUCTION
The "tactical approach" to playing and teaching tennis is putting more emphasis on
the tactical side of the game, highlighting the importance of efficient tactical
planning.
This article is an attempt to establish a mathematical base for tactics in tennis to
assist in logical decision making and tactical planning.
A NUMERICAL SYSTEM
As far as offense is concerned, balls hit from different areas of the court are not of
equal value. Therefore, a numerical distinction of court areas, based on analytical
geometry, could be beneficial to device more rational offensive plans for the game.
In order to obtain specific numerical offense values for distinct court areas, by
convention and for any given player, the court is divided in length and in height
into three different sections. This will form the playing space and divide it into nine
cubical areas as shown and referred to as in Figure 1.

Fig.1
K = Kill

A= Attack
A tactical consideration. S. Monzavi

N.A= No Attack
1

These areas are plotted according to their coordination in a length vs. height chart
and offense values read on the Offense Line as in Figure 2.

Offe
nce
Line

Fig.2
These offense values are then attributed to respective areas as in Figure 3.

Fig.3
A tactical consideration. S. Monzavi

Despite all variables of the game, these values are constant. The offense value of
each area is indicating the chances of launching or setting up a successful attack
from that particular area, compared to other areas of the playing space. Areas
outside the playing space are considered to have either none or very low offense
values.
TENNIS IS OFFENSIVE
As is graphically shown in Figure 3, six out of nine areas of the playing space have
high offense values (3, 4 & 5), two out of nine areas have intermediate offense
value of 2, and only one area takes up the low offense value of 1.
These values, if not dictating, are suggesting the fact that tennis should be played
offensively. The more a player is able, physically and technically, to explore these
potential offense values the greater will be the chances of winning.
APPLICATION OF THE SYSTEM
This numerical system of valuing different areas of the playing space can assist
players in the process they go through in match play as follows:
Perception - By perceiving the oncoming ball, the player should seek to realize the
area of highest offense value from which the ball can be hit.
Decision - For any given area, only a limited set of shots is rationally and tactically
acceptable and other decisions will be excluded from the list of options.
Action - This phase is the consequence of, and influenced by, the Decision phase.
Feedback - The player is provided a coherent system of evaluation for logical
judgement of actions taken by his/her own and the opponent.
CONCLUSION
Tennis by nature is offensive. Therefore, players should not hesitate to attack when
they are hitting the ball from areas of high offense values. Playing offensively on
balls hit from areas of intermediate offense value would be reserved to advanced
players and not tactically very wise a decision for others. Attacking from areas of
low and very low offense values is not recommended at all.
Coaches are suggested to design their games and activities in such a way that
young players develope their games from a base line game to an all court game.

A tactical consideration. S. Monzavi

Ofcourse further analysis should reveal other underlying principles of the game
and lead to more interesting conclusions.
REFERENCE
Miguel Crespo and Karl Cooke. The tactical approach to coaching tennis (November
1999). COACHES REVIEW

A tactical consideration. S. Monzavi