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Original source: The Tennis Congress
This video from The Tennis Congress covered a lot of ground. Streamed.News selected 8 key moments and summarises them here. Everything below links directly to the timestamp in the original video.
A simple mental rule can transform your tennis game. Here’s how focusing on winning just two points in a row—and knowing when it’s safe to take a risk—can give you a statistical edge.
Coach Reveals When to Take 'Stupid' Risks in Tennis: Only When Ahead by Two Points
Winning just two consecutive points in a tennis game will either win you the game or put you one point away from winning it in 13 out of 18 possible scoring combinations. Coach Christophe Delavault highlights this statistic to introduce the concept of "score awareness," a mental strategy that reframes winning a game into the more manageable goal of winning two points in a row.
This framework also provides a clear rule for risk management. Delavault advises players to only attempt low-percentage, "stupid" shots when they are ahead by two points, such as at 30-love or 40-15. The most pivotal moment in a game is 15-30 or 30-15, where the outcome can create a two-point swing. On these crucial points, players should avoid risky shots and focus on starting the point safely, letting the opponent make the error.
"When do you have a chance to do stupid? When you're up by two."
Tennis Coach Introduces 'SHED' Principle to Fix Poor Contact and 'T-Rex Arms'
Coach Christophe Delavault introduced the 'SHED' principle—Space, Height, and Distance—as a framework to fix inconsistent shots and poor contact with the ball. He explained that a common issue where players feel cramped, resulting in "T-Rex arms," is often caused by hitting the ball too late rather than standing too close to it. The ideal contact point for any groundstroke, he advises, is at a 45-degree angle in front of the body.
This concept serves as a diagnostic tool for players to understand the root of their mishits. By focusing on making contact further in front, a player can often self-correct their spacing. The 'SHED' principle also clarifies that while groundstrokes require more distance from the ball for a full swing, volleys are more effective when the player gets closer to the point of contact, providing a unified rule for improving ball striking across all types of shots.
"A lot of times hitting the ball too late is going to make you feel like you go too close."
Topspin, Not Slice, Is Key for Low, Neutralizing Shots in Doubles Tennis
Coach Christophe Delavault clarifies a common misconception about spin, explaining that topspin is the essential tool for the "Dipper"—a shot designed to dip low at a net player's feet. Contrary to the belief that topspin only creates high-bouncing balls, it actually causes the ball to drop more sharply after crossing the net. This effect can also slow the ball's forward momentum, forcing it to bounce shallower and giving opponents less time to react.
This distinction is crucial for advanced tactical play, especially in doubles where controlling the net is paramount. Delavault recommends reserving slice for finesse shots, sharp angles, and contacts made below the height of the net. Understanding these physics allows players to select the correct spin to neutralize an opponent's advantage at the net rather than trying to hit through them.
"The top spin will make it bounce shallower. The slice is going to be great for when you get a little closer to the net; this is when you need your angles and your touch shots."
'Dipper' Shot Aims to Force Opponents Into Defensive Volleys
In advanced doubles, the primary strategic goal is to prevent opponents from volleying the ball from a position above the net. The "Dipper," a topspin groundstroke, is the key weapon for this purpose, according to coach Christophe Delavault. The shot is designed to travel over the net and then drop sharply at an opponent's feet, forcing them to hit a defensive volley upwards from a low position.
This tactic fundamentally shifts the dynamic of a point, turning a net player's offensive position into a defensive one. The Dipper's trajectory is distinct from a slice shot, which tends to float more and does not descend as rapidly, giving the net player more time and a better height to handle the ball. Mastering the Dipper is therefore essential for players looking to break down aggressive, net-rushing teams and create an opportunity to hit the subsequent shot for a winner.
"The goal is... you don't want to give your opponents balls above the level of the net. You want to get them to volley down here so they pop it up and you can put the next one over."
Coach Advocates 'Anti-Staggered' Formation for Recreational Doubles Players
Coach Christophe Delavault advises recreational doubles players against using the traditional staggered formation, where one player stands closer to the net than their partner. He advocates for an "anti-staggered" philosophy where both partners move forward and back together as a single unit. This approach is more effective for players who may lack the elite speed required to cover lobs from an advanced net position.
To facilitate this coordinated movement, Delavault divides the opponent's court into zones. A ball hit deep into "Zone A" is likely to result in a lob, signaling both players to position themselves further back. Conversely, a short ball hit into "Zone D" is a cue for both to move forward together. This system of reading the court and reacting as a pair prevents defensive gaps and is more practical than relying on one player's speed to cover for a partner.
"I'm anti-stagger... If it's a deep ball, let's both see the same thing."
The 'Dipper' Named Most Important Shot for Advanced Doubles Play
The single most important shot for players looking to advance in doubles tennis is the "Dipper," according to coach Christophe Delavault. He defines this shot as a groundstroke hit with topspin, specifically designed to make the ball drop sharply and low immediately after clearing the net. The primary target for the Dipper is the feet of an opponent who is rushing toward or already positioned at the net.
This shot becomes critical at higher levels of play because advanced doubles is dominated by controlling the net. While many players associate topspin with the high-bouncing, deep shots common in singles, its application in the Dipper serves a more tactical, neutralizing purpose. Delavault stresses that mastering this shot is essential for countering aggressive opponents and dictating the flow of the game in a doubles context.
"In doubles, learning the Dipper, if you want to be an advanced doubles player, work on your Dippers."
Tennis Doubles Strategy: 'Center' on Opponent's Options, Not the Court
A common tactical error in doubles is for players to focus on covering "the middle" of the court. Coach Christophe Delavault demonstrates a more sophisticated concept called "centering," which requires each player to position themselves in the middle of their direct opponent's range of possible shots. This creates a defensive "wedge" that is dynamic, shifting based on where the opponent is standing and hitting the ball.
This principle means a player's ideal court position is relative to the opponent, not fixed to the court's painted lines. As an opponent moves wider to hit a ball, the center of their potential shot angles also moves, and the defending player must adjust to bisect that angle. When both partners apply this logic to their respective opponents, the team effectively covers the highest-probability shots without creating confusion or leaving obvious gaps.
"Learn to center yourself in the middle of your opponent's shot selection."
Switching to a Continental Grip Requires Changing Swing Path and Contact Point
Adopting the versatile continental grip requires more than just changing how you hold the racquet, warns coach Christophe Delavault. To use it effectively, players must also fundamentally alter their swing path and point of contact. For volleys, the continental grip is designed to work with an outside-to-in swing motion, which imparts a slight slice, rather than a linear or flat punch through the ball.
This mismatch in technique is a frequent cause of failure when players try to make the switch. Using an old swing path with the new grip, or vice-versa, will lead to predictable errors into the net or out of the court. Furthermore, the continental grip requires making contact closer to the body compared to grips like the eastern or semi-western, which involve reaching further out in front. Mastering this trio of adjustments—grip, path, and contact point—is essential for a successful transition.
"When you change your grip you also have to change your swing path and also change the point of contact."
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- A question about the Dipper being a riskier shot, acknowledging that it is a… (16:56)
- The speaker transitions to the mental aspect of tennis, advising recreational… (23:26)
- The speaker suggests focusing on controllable elements during a match, such as… (25:32)
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Summarised from The Tennis Congress · 51:51. All credit belongs to the original creators. Streamed.News summarises publicly available video content.
