JWT Coaching

Swords and Shields… The analogy breaks down the groundstrokes as follows:

The Forehand (The Sword): This is your primary weapon used to dictate play, go on the offensive, and aggressively win points.

The Backhand (The Shield): This is your tool to neutralize the opponent’s attacks, stay alive in rallies, and deflect heavy shots until you can set up a strike.

While coaches apply this philosophy broadly, Tour players like Felix Auger-Aliassime have specifically utilized this exact framework to balance their shot selection and gameplay.

One of the best lessons I ever took from my playing days had nothing to do with technique.

It was this.

Forehands are swords.

Backhands are shields.

At first I thought my coach meant forehands should always be aggressive and backhands should just survive.

That was not the point.

The point was understanding intent.

The sword creates pressure.

The shield absorbs pressure.

Every point starts with one player trying to take control and one player trying not to lose it.

Your forehand does not need to be bigger.

It needs to ask better questions.

Move the opponent.

Change height.

Create difficulty.

Make them buy shots with more footsteps (introduced in an upcoming post)

That philosophy changed how I competed and now it shapes how I coach.

Not textbook tennis.

Reading the ball.

Creating problems.

Adapting to the player in front of me.

Follow if you are an adult club player who wants to stop carrying a shield and start using a sword. DM ‘WIN’ to book a free coaching pathway!

Watching pros hit, the ball wasn’t skimming just over the net like most club players do.

Instead, the ball flew higher, even on aggressive shots.
This all about making your shots safer but most importantly, creating difficulty.

Higher ball height means more margin for error and forces your opponent to hit up from a deeper position and requiring more work to remain balanced.

That extra clearance and difficulty for your opponent, makes your shots tougher to return and forcing them to use an open racket face.

Most club players aim too low, risking net errors and easier returns for their opponents.

If you want to improve your consistency and pressure on opponents, stop fearing higher shots.

Focus on hitting with controlled height, and you’ll see better rallies and more points won.

Teaching players to adjust this is a game changer I use in coaching.

Follow if you want practical advice to take your club game to the next level and DM ‘WIN’ to learn more

Practicing alone can feel frustrating, especially when you don’t have someone to challenge you or give feedback.

I’ve seen countless players hitting thousands of balls in isolation but not making the improvements they want.

When it’s hard to find time to book an in person tennis lesson, or the club coaches are too busy, an online coach can really change the game.

With online coaching, you get tailored feedback and drills designed specifically for your strengths and weaknesses.

No more guessing if you’re practicing the right things or reinforcing bad habits.

I help players understand what they need to work on, even when they’re training solo.

You’ll learn how to make the most of your alone time with structured practice and clear targets.

It’s like having a coach in your pocket, guiding you step by step.

Don’t let practicing alone hold you back from reaching your full potential.

If you’re serious about improving, online coaching offers a flexible, effective way to raise your game.

Follow if you want smarter practice routines tailored to you or DM ‘WIN’ to learn more

I’ve been coaching for over 20 years, and one question I get asked a lot is whether basket drills are realistic for real match play.

Basket drills are great for building accuracy and muscle memory because you get repetitive practice on specific shots.
But tennis is much more than just hitting shots perfectly in practice.

In matches, the ball isn’t always coming at you where you expect. You have to react, move, and make decisions quickly.
That’s why solely relying on basket drills can limit your progress in competition.

You need to mix drills with live ball practice and point play to replicate real match conditions.

One of my coaching philosophies is to teach from the ball backwards—watch what the ball is doing and adapt your movement and shots accordingly.

This includes using basket drills but always connecting them to what happens in matches.

If you’re stuck hitting safe shots but struggling to win points, it might be time to change your approach.

Playing smarter, reacting faster, and positioning yourself better can make all the difference.

Follow if you’re a club player ready to improve your match skills and accuracy.

DM’WIN’ to learn more about the Game Based Approach

I was 14, practicing against the hitting wall at my local club in Buckinghamshire.

A coach introduced me to a game-based approach—treating each shot not as a drill but as a real point in a match.
Instead of hitting aimlessly, I learned to focus on creating difficulty for my “opponent” and recovering quickly for the next shot.

Using the wall this way teaches you to think tactically, just like in a real match, even when you’re training alone.
This approach helps develop shot selection, movement, and positioning, making your practice more effective and match-ready.

I now coach players to not just hit balls technically well, but to play points, helping them improve faster and smarter.

If you want to learn how to turn your practice sessions into real game improvement, follow for simple strategies that work on and off the court.

Remember, practicing with purpose is the key to bridging the gap between training and match play.

DM ‘WIN’ to learn more

Great day at the Play Your Way to Wimbledon event at 🎾 Fantastic matches across the U10, U14 and U18 age groups with some brilliant tennis on display all day. Huge congratulations to our winners — Dominic, Roman and Will 🏆👏

A brilliant atmosphere, great sportsmanship and plenty of energy on display. Thanks to everyone who took part and supported the event!

If you would like to book a free taster for your child, please contact us here… https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/JWTCoaching/Contact