Plain-English definitions and on-court coaching cues for players, parents, and coaches across all development stages.
Choosing what to do with the ball.
Every shot happens in one of three phases, decided by where you and your opponent are: attack, build, or defend. In orange, players work mainly on build and attack, with defence being introduced.
“Are you attacking, building or defending on this ball?”
The phase where you have the advantage: you're inside the court, your opponent is pushed back or wide, and the ball is high or close to the net.
“Short ball, you're inside the court. Go for it.”
The phase where neither player has the advantage. The goal is to move the opponent and create an opening, without taking big risks.
“Build the point. Wait for the short ball.”
The phase where your opponent has the advantage. The goal is to get the ball back high and deep to buy time.
“Under pressure? Hit it high and deep and reset.”
Keeping the ball in play over many shots. The first tactical goal at every young stage.
“Win by making one more ball than them.”
Choosing where the ball goes: cross-court or down the line.
“Cross-court is the safe choice.”
How close to the opponent's baseline the ball lands. Deep balls push opponents back.
“Aim past the service line.”
Short, wide shots that pull the opponent off the court. An Orange 2 tactical goal.
“Pull them wide, then hit into the space.”
How high the ball travels over the net. Players learn to recognize high balls (above the shoulder) and low balls (below the knee) and to choose trajectory on purpose.
“Higher over the net, deeper in the court.”
Recognizing and using fast, slow, heavy and light balls. Children learn to feel the difference and use each one on purpose.
“That was a heavy ball. Give it a bit more room.”
Moving forward to the net behind a good shot to finish the point with a volley. In orange, players learn when to come in and where to stand.
“Short ball, hit and follow it in.”
Timing your split-step to the moment your opponent makes contact, so you're ready to move either way.
“Their hit is your hop.”
Two-against-two play. At orange stage it teaches teamwork, communication and net play.
“Talk to your partner every point.”
Recognizing whether a ball will land close to you or far away, and moving accordingly.
“Is this one coming close or far?”
Hitting with a partner to keep the ball going rather than to win the point. It is the first goal of red tennis and a warm-up habit at every stage.
“How many can we get in a row?”
The simplest tactical habit: hit the ball, then move back to the middle to get ready for the next one.
“Hit it and come home to the middle.”
How many balls a player can keep in play under pressure before missing. Building it is a key green-stage goal.
“Can you keep eight in play when the balls get faster?”
The first serve can take more risk. The second serve needs high percentage and spin, because a miss loses the point.
“Second serve is about spin, not speed.”
A shot hit past an opponent who is at the net, either down the line or cross-court.
“Low and past them.”
The shot a player hits while moving forward to the net, usually deep and often down the line.
“Approach down the line, follow it in.”
Moving from the baseline into the court or to the net once you have the advantage.
“You earned the short ball. Move forward.”
The serve and the first shot after it, planned together as one pattern.
“Serve wide, then forehand into the open court.”
The return and the next shot, planned as a pattern to neutralize or take over the point.
“Deep middle return, then look for the forehand.”
Running around the backhand to hit a forehand cross-court to the opponent's backhand.
“Run around it and go inside-out.”
Running around the backhand to hit a forehand down the line. A higher-risk attacking option.
“Inside-in when they're leaning cross.”
Repeated shot sequences a player uses to build and win points, such as serve wide then hit to the open court.
“Your go-to pattern on big points is?”
Where a player stands relative to the baseline: well behind (defend), on it (build), inside it (attack), or at the net (finish).
“You're too far back. Take a step in.”
The safety space you leave above the net and inside the lines. Good players choose targets with margin and still hurt opponents.
“Aim a metre inside the line.”
A miss on a ball the player had time and position to play. A common match statistic.
“Fewer unforced errors wins more matches than more winners.”
A miss caused by the opponent's pressure.
“That miss was forced. Good shot by them.”
A shot the opponent can't touch.
“Build to the winner. Don't force it.”
How a doubles team lines up: one-up-one-back, both back, both at the net, Australian (server's partner on the same side) and I-formation.
“Let's try Australian on this serve.”
When the net player in doubles crosses to intercept a ball meant for their partner.
“Signal the poach, then go.”
The way a player prefers to win points, built on their strengths. Common styles: aggressive baseliner, counter-puncher, all-court player, serve-and-volleyer, big server.
“Your game style is built on your forehand and your first serve.”
A player who dictates from the baseline with heavy, early groundstrokes and looks to finish points with power.
“Take it early and take time away from them.”
A player who wins through defence, consistency and speed, turning opponents' pace back against them.
“Make them hit one more, then punish the short ball.”
A player comfortable in every court position who adapts the game plan to the opponent and conditions.
“You have every tool. Pick the right one.”
Following the serve straight to the net to finish with a volley.
“Serve, split at the service line, volley.”