One of the first things to know about tennis is that, it's a game of constant decisions. Where to move, what shot to hit, and where to hit it? Sound familiar; it's just movement, shot selection and tactics. However, with most players, instead of ready, aim and then fire; we often see ready, fire, aim. Get them thinking right from the start.

Yes, almost immediately we had Colindy recognizing down the line and cross court directions and aiming the ball. We didn't bother explaining much, but rather let her try to figure it out for herself. This idea is well known as guided discovery and ensures that the player will own the skill much faster; than when a teacher barks out military or command like instructions. Of course, make sure it's clear that the cone is not the target, but rather the service box itself. We want her to feel successful and gain confidence that she can succeed even at a beginning level.

Then you want to transitions this basic choice of direction into tennis language namely; Down the Line or Cross-Court.

To help anyone learning efficiently, it's critical to establish these four keys and to maintain these standards until they become solid habits. You see these fundamentals form the basis of all future advancements. On the other hand, sloppy fundamentals are the single biggest reason that players plateau stop improving and often stop playing. Also keep in mind that back spin is the most effortless way to hit a ball after it bounces, since the spin of the incoming ball is always with slow top spin. Hitting it back with slight to moderate back spin means that the direction or the rotation of the ball does not change. Well there you have it. This brings us to the end of topic number 1, controlling the service boxes with drops, dings, and angles. Thank you for joining us for this volume of Fast Lane Tennis.