Trackside Lawn Tennis Club

More on the importance of varying your game in order to be unpredictable - it’s worthwhile exploring this theme further. So – how can you vary your game when your opponent is at the net?

YOUR OPTIONS

1. THE DRIVE PASS: hit hard, with minimal spin and low over the net. Use power and placement to force an error from the volleyer - if she can get to it.

2. THE CHIPPED PASS: hit softly, with a little underspin, low over the net. Many volleyers struggle to control low, soft shots, especially when they carry underspin (AKA backspin or slice).

3. THE WHIPPED PASS: hit at a medium pace, with heavy topspin, low over the net. Lots of topspin makes the ball dip to the volleyer’s feet. No one likes to play shots off their shoelaces!

4. THE OFFENSIVE LOB: hit at a medium to fast pace, with lots of topspin. Dips when it gets over the volleyer’s head. When it bounces, the topspin makes the ball `run` towards the fence.

5. THE DEFENSIVE LOB: hit at a slow to medium pace, with no real spin but lots of height. Gives the baseliner plenty of time to recover, and the net player plenty of time to agonise over the coming smash...

As previously stated – in tennis unpredictability is a big advantage.

Open to all adults and standards. If you're thinking of trying or returning to tennis why not come along on the 19th. No previous experience necessary! 🎾🎾

Book now on the website or message us for details 🐣
Open to Members and non -members 🎾

Congratulations to everyone at Trackside on achieving Tennis Ireland's Bronze Clubmark accreditation 🎉🏆

Many thanks to Tara Congdon from Tennis Ireland for presenting the award and special thanks to the Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O'Leary for attending the event. The award was received by Fiana O'Hanlon and James Buchan (clubmark officers) on behalf of the club.

"The clubmark aims to identify, develop, accredit and recognise high quality tennis clubs and their contribution to the development of tennis"

Thanks to all the members who helped celebrate this fantastic achievement 👏👏
Tennis Ireland Fingal County Council

Huge congratulations to Conrad on receiving a Fingal Sports Club Volunteer of the Year award ! 👏🏆

Conrad has been part of the committee at Trackside for 12 years, serving as captain for many of those and now in his 4th year as President. He’s also our Child Protection Liaison Person and runs the New Members / Club Night every Wednesday. Conrad is involved in every aspect of the club, giving his time to keep things running smoothly.

A fantastic achievement, truly deserved and a great honour for Conrad and the club!

Thanks to Fingal County Council and Fingal Sports Office for a fantastic event!

🎄🎅A special visitor dropped in to see our juniors on Sunday! Here he is having a well earned break before heading back to the North Pole ☃️🌟

In doubles, the return of serve is often considered the most important stroke. With the server’s partner ready at the net, the return must be good or it will be volleyed away.

What Does This Mean For Your Tennis?
The standard return is crosscourt back to the server. But to keep opponents guessing, it’s important to develop a full range of shot options.

1. Server serving and volleying?
• A low crosscourt return is effective. Make the ball bounce near the service line. Use topspin or a softer sliced shot to force the server to hit a difficult low volley.
• Try the `chipped return` - take the ball early and rush the net yourself. Make the server `volley up`, and you or your partner will be in position to hit a winning volley.
• If in doubt about where to hit to, go down the middle. It gives you a high margin for error, and can cause confusion among the opposition about who will play it.
• Many serve-volleyers neglect to `split step` as the receiver contacts the ball. A crosscourt lob can be a winner here. The server’s forward momentum prevents him from changing direction quickly enough to retreat for the smash.

2. Server staying back? Deep crosscourt ensures she is kept pinned to the baseline, limiting her abilty to attack.

3. If the server’s partner is static at the net, he is sometimes vulnerable to a surprise down the line lob return of serve.

4. An occasional down the line drive return into the server’s partner’s tramlines can be very effective. It discourages her from thinking she can move towards the centre of the court and poach on your crosscourt return.

PLAYING IN THE WIND
Autumn often brings windy conditions, and playing tennis in the wind brings challenges.

What Does This Mean for Your Tennis?
When wind is a factor, you need to adjust your tactics and shot selection.

Wind in your back – risk of hitting long:
• aim lower over the net.
• Use more topspin.
• Use less power.

Wind in your face - risk of hitting short (allowing your opponent to attack), or into the net:
• aim higher over the net.
• Use less topspin and more power.
• Slice (sidespin) serves will be challenging for your opponent.
• Good drop shots will often win points.

Cross-court wind - risk of the ball being pushed wide:
• allow extra margin for error when hitting crosscourt or down the line shots on the side where the wind can force the ball into the tramlines.
• Use a slice (sidespin) serve to pull the receiver way off court.

Keep calm and carry on:
• Most players find it frustrating to play in the wind.
• Both players face the same challenge—whoever adapts best is likely to come out on top.

Congratulations to our Ladies Team 2 who won their quarter finals today!! They play the semi tomorrow 💪 Hard luck to Team 1 who were beaten today but had a great campaign and secured promotion 👏. Best of luck tomorrow Team 2!! 🎾🎾

Halloween Camp is open to book. See website for details or message us 🎃🎾🧹

Save the date and get your team ready! All welcome.

APPLY SOME PRESSURE

It’s important to attack your opponent’s weak shots whenever possible.

What Does This Mean?
If you don’t attack weak shots, you send a message to your opponent that he does not need to hit any harder, or any nearer the lines. This takes the pressure off your opponent, and most people play better when the pressure is off.

What Does This Mean for Your Tennis?
When you are receiving a second serve it’s especially important to attack if the serve is weak. Most experts regard the serve as the most important shot in tennis. If you attack weak second serves:
• you will have the server worried as he prepares to hit his second serve.
• In future points he is likely to be concerned about getting his first serve in, so as not to give you a look at a second serve.