Game Plan and Scouting
Also known as: tennis game plan, game plan for a tennis match, scouting a tennis opponent, scout an opponent in tennis, tennis match strategy, plan for a tennis match
A simple tennis game plan has two or three goals: use your best shot as often as you can, attack the opponent's weaker side, and play high-percentage tennis on big points. Scout the opponent in the warm-up and first games. Check at changeovers whether the plan is working, and switch to plan B if it is not.
Scouting starts before the first point. In the warm-up, notice which wing the opponent hits with more pace and control. Watch how they handle high and low balls, whether they like the net, and how they move side to side and forward. Check their handedness, their serve and how they return. If you can, watch them play another match. Look for habits, such as where they serve on big points.
Build the plan around your strengths first and their weaknesses second. Keep it short. Two or three clear goals are easier to follow under pressure than a long list. One example is to serve to the backhand, rally crosscourt to the weaker wing and come in on short balls. Have a plan B ready. That might be more height and spin if they handle pace well, or more net play if they defend well from the baseline.
Use the changeovers. Ask what is winning points and what is losing them. Change something only when the score or the pattern of points says to, not after one bad game. Keep a winning plan even if it feels repetitive. After the match, write a few notes for the next time you play that opponent.
Tips by skill level
Write two goals on a card before your match, such as 'deep crosscourt' and 'serve to the backhand'. Read it at each changeover.
Keep short notes on opponents you will meet again. Record their favourite serve on big points, their weaker wing and what worked. Review the notes before the next match.
Example
In the warm-up she notices her opponent's backhand floats on high balls and he looks uneasy at the net. She plans heavy topspin to his backhand, a short slice to draw him in and serves to his backhand on big points. Down 2-4, she checks her plan and sees she has stopped using the short slice.
Why it matters
A plan gives every shot a purpose and makes it easier to adjust when you are losing. Without one, players tend to drift into the opponent's preferred rhythm.
Common mistakes
- Walking on court with no plan at all
- Making the plan too long to remember under pressure
- Abandoning a winning plan because it feels boring
- Changing everything after one lost game
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a game plan for a tennis match?
Choose two or three goals built on your best shots and the opponent's weaknesses, such as attacking their backhand and serving to it on big points. Scout them in the warm-up, then check the plan at each changeover.
How do I scout a tennis opponent?
Watch the warm-up and the first games. Note their stronger and weaker wing, how they handle high and low balls, how well they move and volley, and where they serve. Their handedness matters too.
What should I change when I'm losing a tennis match?
First look at how the points are being lost. If you are missing, add margin and spin. If the opponent is winning with one shot, stop feeding it. Change one thing at a time and give it a few games.
Related terms
- Shot SelectionShot selection is the real-time choice of shot type, direction, pace, and spin. It depends on court position, ball height, opponent location, and score.
- Singles Patterns of PlayA core singles pattern is to rally crosscourt until you get a shorter or weaker ball, then change direction down the line or attack. Others include the inside-out forehand to the opponent's backhand, the serve plus one and the approach down the line. Patterns give each shot a job.
- Momentum Shift in a MatchA momentum shift is a clear change in which player controls a match. Breaks of serve, long games won on key points, and runs of games often trigger it.
- Tiebreak StrategyTiebreak strategy is how players adjust tactics for a tiebreak's short, high-pressure points: serve selection, return aggression, and side-switch pacing.
- Counter-Punching StyleCounter-punching is a defensive-minded style that absorbs an opponent's pace, redirects it back with consistency and depth, and waits patiently for the opponent to make the error.
- Playing a Left-HanderAgainst a left-hander, expect the slice serve to swing wide to your backhand in the ad court. As a result, stand a step further left and move forward diagonally to cut it off. In rallies, a lefty's crosscourt forehand lands on your backhand. As a result, flip the pattern: hit your forehand crosscourt to their backhand, then change direction down the line with your backhand when you get an opening. Return through the middle with big margins.
Related guides & benchmarks
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