THE ALL COURT PLAYER
by Staton Helton, Associate Professional

Most players try to concentrate on one particular aspect of their game, but the best type of player that you could be to me is the all court player. You really would like to be able to hit volleys like you hit ground strokes or the other way around. Or how about a great topspin lob? This player can pretty much hit from anywhere on the court and has little weaknesses. When you come up against one of these players you had better bring your best game.

You see a player like Roger Federer and wish that you could play like him. The reason that he can play every shot is because he doesn’t just practice one part of his game. It may take a little while longer to develop and get the results that you are striving for, but it will be well worth it in the end. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to get that type of game.

I know that when I was playing competitively, I tried to have all aspects of the game, so I could attack my opponent at anytime. Plus, if I was having an off day on the baseline I could get my confidence up by coming into the net, getting some easier points, and getting more into the match.

Another plus to being an all court player is that you always have a couple of different game plans if your first one does not work to your liking. Suppose your opponent is serving and volleying, how could you change your game to adjust? Or, if she is a baseliner and returns everything you send her way, what would your game plan be? An all court player would be able to make the adjustments necessary to win the match! Hope you will work hard to be an all court player.