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Week 4: Taking Control: Inside the Baseline Offense

June 23-27, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Daily

Eagle Tennis Center, Eagle, Idaho

Week Overview

Progressing forward from the baseline, this week focuses on playing effectively from inside the baseline. Players learn to recognize opportunities to move forward, take the ball earlier, and execute offensive shots like drive volleys or angled groundstrokes. The emphasis is on setting up offensive patterns and applying pressure on the opponent by stepping into the court.

Week 4 Focus: Level 2 - Inside the Baseline

Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5

Level 2: Inside the Baseline

At Eagle Tennis Academy, we view the inside-baseline position (Level 2) as the "driver's seat" of tennis. From this position, you shift from patient defense to assertive offense, taking time away from your opponent and controlling the rhythm of the point.

Your Level-2 Weapons: Topspin + Power

Taking the ball early allows you to redirect pace and gain tactical advantage while minimizing your opponent's reaction time.

Strategic Advantage

Playing from inside the baseline creates more acute angles, reduces your opponent's time, and sets up opportunities to move forward into higher-percentage finishing positions.

Junior Excellence Program Navigation

Week 1 Jun 2-6 Week 2 Jun 9-13 Week 3 Jun 16-20 Week 4 Jun 23-27 Week 5 Jun 30-Jul 4 Week 6 Jul 7-11 Week 7 Jul 14-18 Week 8 Jul 21-25 Week 9 Jul 28-Aug 1 Week 10 Aug 4-8

Week 4 Daily Schedule

Monday: Early Ball Recognition & Taking Time Away

Focus on recognizing opportunities to step inside the baseline and take time away from opponents

1:00 - 2:00 PM

Strength & Conditioning with Christine May

Tennis-specific fitness focusing on explosive acceleration and quick change of direction:

  • Plyometric training for first-step quickness and acceleration
  • Medicine ball throws simulating early ball contact mechanics
  • Agility ladder drills emphasizing rapid direction changes
  • Core stability exercises for balanced hitting position
  • Lower body power development for aggressive court positioning
  • Dynamic footwork patterns necessary for inside baseline play
2:00 - 2:15 PM

On-Court Warm-up & Serve/Return Prep

  • Dynamic warm-up focusing on reaction time and first-step quickness
  • Progressive hitting with emphasis on early ball contact
  • Serves focusing on placement to set up aggressive second shots
  • Returns focusing on taking the ball early and stepping inside the court
2:15 - 2:45 PM

Technical Focus: Early Ball Recognition & Contact Point

Drills focusing on taking the ball on the rise:

  • Early Preparation Drill: Working on racquet preparation before opponent contacts the ball
  • Contact Point Training: Finding optimal contact point for taking the ball early
  • Rise-of-the-Bounce Exercise: Timing the ball on its upward trajectory
  • Stance Adjustment: Modified stance for effective early ball striking
  • Compact Swing Development: Shorter, more efficient swing patterns
2:45 - 3:15 PM

Tactical Focus: Court Positioning & Taking Time Away

Strategic elements of inside baseline positioning:

  • Opportunity Recognition: Identifying shots that allow moving inside the baseline
  • Baseline Positioning Exercise: Optimal stance and ready position inside the baseline
  • Time Pressure Tactics: Creating rushed responses from opponents
  • Risk-Reward Analysis: Understanding when to step in versus stay back
  • Transition Positioning: Moving smoothly from inside baseline to approach position
3:15 - 3:45 PM

Competitive Drills: Early Ball Challenge

Structured competitive exercises focusing on taking the ball early:

  • "Contact Point Challenge": Points awarded for taking the ball earlier in its bounce
  • "Time Pressure Game": Rally with progressively more aggressive court positioning
  • "Inside Position King/Queen": Competition for maintaining inside baseline position
  • "First-Strike Tennis": Points where players must hit winners within 3 shots
  • "Aggressive Return Challenge": Taking returns early to pressure server
3:45 - 4:00 PM

Cool Down & Prep for Live Play

  • Recovery stretching focusing on hips, shoulders, and core
  • Hydration and nutrition break
  • Brief tactical review of inside baseline positioning principles
  • Mental preparation for aggressive play
4:00 - 5:00 PM

Live Play Singles Tournament Practice

Coached match play with emphasis on inside baseline positioning:

  • Matches with focus on stepping inside the baseline when opportunity presents
  • Constraints requiring players to take a percentage of balls on the rise
  • Coaching feedback on court positioning and early ball recognition
  • Video analysis focusing on timing and aggressive positioning
  • Tracking metrics on time gained through aggressive positioning

Key Learning Outcomes for Week 4

Early Ball Recognition

  • Anticipating ball trajectory and speed
  • Identifying opportunities to take the ball early
  • Optimizing court position for early contact
  • Early preparation and racquet positioning

Directional Control

  • Technical mastery of down-the-line and cross-court shots
  • Strategic shot direction selection
  • Using direction to create court openings
  • Directional patterns for point construction

Controlled Power

  • Technical foundation for power generation
  • Balancing power with consistency
  • Strategic application of power shots
  • Court penetration with aggressive groundstrokes

Offensive Patterns

  • Serve +1 pattern execution
  • Inside-out and inside-in combinations
  • Setting up approach opportunities
  • Pattern recognition and implementation