1. Tactical awareness

2. What is tactical awareness?
What do players need to be ‘aware’ of?
Opponents shot options
Target areas on court (height, pace, angles, first/2nd bounce)
Opponents Strengths & Weaknesses
Opportunities to attack (apply pressure)
Situations to defend (absorb pressure)
Own strengths or major weapons

3. Closed – open skill What is the difference?
Closed Skill- Not affected by external influence or changing factors. Response and/or action can be planned with little or no time pressure.
Open Skill- An instinctive reaction to an opponent or external influence. Little or no time to plan or contemplate response.

4. How Does the PDA Cycle Work?
This is a continuous sequence of events which takes place during every ‘open’ skill we perform.
Perception- How we process visual and sensory information in order to anticipate what is about to happen. This is ‘Awareness’
Decision- How are we going to react/respond to what we have perceived. This is ‘Tactical’
Action- Performing the reaction/response. This is ‘Technical’
PERCEPTION
DECISION
ACTION

5. Developing perception skills

6. What are the key indicators to look for?
She’s hit a few straight drives from this position today…
What are the key indicators to look for?
High Preparation
Likely to be hitting with pace!
I’m looking to volley the crosscourt, but need to have straight drive covered!!!!!
Shoulders open
Probably hitting crosscourt…
Ball in front
Set up to go crosscourt…

7. In 3 Groups On court session
Design 2 routines to help players ‘read’ the game better
Group 1- Pairs routines- anticipating cross court
Group 2- 3’s Routines- anticipating drop shot
Group 3- Coach fed exercises- anticipating boast

8. improving decision making (shot selection) skills

9. Visualisation Tools- The Battenberg cake!
Imagine the court floor split into 4 squares like the cake!
Shot Selection
Awareness of moving opponent maximum distance!
PINK-PINK!
YELLOW-YELLOW!

10. Visualisation Tools- The Old Oak Tree!

11. consideration 1- “being” the Tree!
How do you make your tree bigger??
MOVE FORWARDS!
What are the key aspects of doing this??
SPEED! Urgency of recovery to T Zone
What will this allow you to do??
Close down angles
Cover the front court
Volley

12. Consideration 2 - “beating” the Tree!
How do you avoid hitting the ball through the Tree??
Tightness (straight)
Width (crosscourt)
Height/Pace
Low/Hard
High/Soft

13. Visualisation Tools- The Traffic Light!
DEFENSIVE LENGTH
CONTAINING LENGTH
ATTACKING LENGTH

14. 3 Groups On court session
Design 2 conditioned games to help players make logical shot selection with the following emphasis:
Group 1- Using the Drop Shot at the Correct Time
Group 2- Creating & Preventing Volleying Opportunities
Group 3- Variation of Height & Pace