Copy This Singles Strategy And You’ll Win A Lot More Matches (Easy Tennis Tips)

Summary of the Video Content (Easy Tennis Singles Strategy)

Ryan Reedy (twominutetennis.net) demonstrates a simple singles strategy for recreational players, based on an example point from a USC vs. UC Santa Barbara match. The core idea is to repeatedly punish opponents when they hit or return a short ball by stepping in, using smart shot placement, and maintaining correct footwork.

Setup / Initial Serve and Short Ball

• UC Santa Barbara receives a short return from the USC player.
• Instead of hesitating, the UC Santa Barbara player moves forward into the court after the short ball.

Approach Shot Placement: “Wrong-Foot” the Opponent

• During the approach, the player is coached to hit the approach shot back to the side/corner where the opponent just was.
• This forces the opponent to move back toward the center.
• The tactic is described as a wrong-foot strategy: since the opponent is positioned for one direction, the ball is hit to disrupt their recovery.
• It works especially well because it also targets the opponent’s backhand (as shown in the example).

Key Footwork: Split Step Timing

• The video emphasizes the split step during the rally when moving forward or anticipating the next shot.
• Timing cue:
  • Be in the air as the opponent hits.
  • Land the split step just after contact.
• This positioning helps the player move quickly in any direction (forward/back/left/right), including turning for a lob.

Volley Lesson After Pulling the Opponent Forward

• Ryan highlights a common mistake: players often think they should hit the volley deep after stepping in.
• Instead, the advice is to aim the volley so it lands shorter in the service box.
• In the example, the short volley bounces multiple times before reaching the baseline, leaving the opponent with no workable shot.

Overall Objective

On short balls, the message is: “it’s go time.”

• Step in.
• Hit an approach shot behind the opponent to wrong-foot them.
• Use good split-step mechanics.
• Hit volleys short in the service box so the ball takes away their best options.

Presenters / Sources

• Ryan Reedy — twominutetennis.net
• Matt Lin — credited as the source of the video/example (courtesy mentioned; link referenced in the description)