ITF Tactical Strategy 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What tactical principle does 'hitting behind the opponent' exploit?
- The opponent's momentum and anticipation after moving in one direction (Correct answer)
- The opponent's weaker backhand
- The opponent's slow first step
- The opponent's tendency to lob
Correct answer: The opponent's momentum and anticipation after moving in one direction
Hitting behind a moving opponent exploits their forward momentum, making it very difficult to change direction and reach the ball.
Question 2: Which serve placement is generally recommended when serving to a right-handed opponent on the deuce side to force a weak return?
- Body serve
- Wide serve to the backhand (Correct answer)
- T serve down the middle
- Kick serve to the forehand
Correct answer: Wide serve to the backhand
A wide serve to the backhand on the deuce side stretches the opponent off the court, often producing a defensive return.
Question 3: A coach notices a player is losing rallies because they are hitting too early in the point. What concept should the coach teach?
- Pattern consistency — build the point before attempting winners (Correct answer)
- Serve and volley on every point
- Increase topspin to slow the rally down
- Hit harder to end the point faster
Correct answer: Pattern consistency — build the point before attempting winners
Building the point with consistent patterns before attempting winners reduces unforced errors and increases the quality of the opportunity taken.
Question 4: In what scenario is the 'S&V' (serve and volley) tactic most tactically sound in modern tennis?
- On clay against a strong baseliner
- On fast surfaces or when used unpredictably to disrupt a returner's rhythm (Correct answer)
- Only on the second serve
- When leading 5-0 in a set
Correct answer: On fast surfaces or when used unpredictably to disrupt a returner's rhythm
Serve and volley is most effective on fast surfaces where the ball stays low and when used unpredictably to prevent the returner from settling into a routine.
Question 5: What is the main tactical goal of the 'high kick serve to the backhand' on the ad side against a right-handed opponent?
- To prevent the opponent from returning at all
- To push the ball high to the opponent's backhand, generating a defensive reply (Correct answer)
- To set up a forehand approach shot
- To force a foot fault
Correct answer: To push the ball high to the opponent's backhand, generating a defensive reply
A high kick serve to the backhand bounces above shoulder height, making an aggressive backhand reply extremely difficult for most players.
Question 6: Which tactical concept describes winning a point by consistently moving the opponent side to side?
- Counterattacking
- Geometric rally — using width to create open court (Correct answer)
- Moonballing
- Chip and charge
Correct answer: Geometric rally — using width to create open court
Using width geometrically forces the opponent to cover more court, eventually creating an open court for a winner or a forced error.
Question 7: When facing a net rusher in doubles, which return strategy is generally most effective?
- Lob over the net player consistently
- Drive the ball hard at the net player's feet (Correct answer)
- Hit cross-court to the incoming server
- Block the return short and wide
Correct answer: Drive the ball hard at the net player's feet
Targeting the net player's feet with a low, hard return forces them into a difficult low volley and neutralizes their net advantage.
ITF Tactical Strategy 3
What tactical principle does 'hitting behind the opponent' exploit?