Great Base Tennis System

Fact-Based Tennis Instruction For Long-Term Development

The Great Base Tennis System

The Great Base Tennis system, developed by Steve Smith, is a comprehensive, physics-based approach to tennis instruction. Drawing from decades of experience and influences from tennis legends like Vic Braden and Welby Van Horn, this system provides a structured pathway for players of all levels.

At Eagle Tennis Academy, we've adopted the Great Base system because it aligns perfectly with our mission: to deliver fact-based instruction that leads to long-term development and success.

Great Base Tennis emphasizes character development, learning principles, and self-discipline alongside technical instruction, creating well-rounded tennis players who truly understand the game.

Introduction to Great Base Tennis

An interview with Steve Smith about Great Base Tennis fundamentals

"There's no substitute for a good beginning. Tennis is a game of position, and where you are on the court determines the shots you should play."

— Steve Smith

Core Principles

Fact-Based Instruction

The Great Base system relies on physics, biomechanics, and observable data rather than opinion or guesswork. This scientific approach ensures consistent, reliable improvement.

Position-Based Approach

Tennis is a game of position, and the Great Base system teaches players the appropriate shots and strategies for each position on the court, from behind the baseline to the net.

Building Block Method

Skills are built sequentially, with foundational techniques mastered before moving on to more advanced concepts. This creates a solid technical base that prevents bad habits.

Character Development

The Great Base system emphasizes not just technique, but character, learning, and self-discipline—creating well-rounded tennis players and people.

Grip Fundamentals

Proper grip technique is the foundation of all strokes. Steve Smith emphasizes the importance of the Continental grip and correcting "palm-up" service technique.

Biomechanical Efficiency

The system teaches the economy of motion and efficient stroke production, focusing on the least amount of moving parts to achieve maximum results.

Position-Based Curriculum

One of the key innovations of the Great Base Tennis system is its position-based approach. Teaching players the appropriate shots and strategies for each position on the court creates a comprehensive understanding of the game.

Net Position
Attack Position
Neutral Position
Behind Baseline Position

The Great Base system teaches appropriate techniques and strategies for each court position

Behind the Baseline

Learn to control the point with deep, spin-heavy shots and defensive play. Focus on consistency, depth, and height to keep your opponent on their toes.

Key Skills:

  • Defensive positioning
  • Heavy topspin groundstrokes
  • Neutralizing aggressive shots

Neutral Zone

Master the transitional game from the middle of the court. Learn to recognize opportunities to attack and how to recover when caught in no-man's land.

Key Skills:

  • Court positioning and recovery
  • Transition shots
  • Reading ball trajectory

Attack Position

Develop your ability to take control of the point by moving forward and putting pressure on your opponent with aggressive shots and court positioning.

Key Skills:

  • Approach shots
  • Taking time away from opponent
  • Shot selection under pressure

Net Position

Perfect your net game with volleys, overheads, and poaches. Learn to close points efficiently and put away opportunities with confidence.

Key Skills:

  • Volley technique with Continental grip
  • Overhead smashes
  • Net positioning and movement

Point Integration

The Great Base system culminates in teaching players to combine all positions into complete point construction. Players learn to seamlessly transition between different court positions.

Key Skills:

  • Match strategy
  • Point construction
  • Live play and competition

Technical Focus Areas

Proper Grip Foundations

Steve Smith emphasizes the importance of grip in all strokes, particularly the Continental grip for volleys and serves. Correcting "palm-up" service technique is a key focus.

"If you can change someone from Palm up to Palm down, you truly can teach tennis."

Serve Development

The Great Base system corrects common serve misconceptions like "toss higher for more time." Instead, it focuses on programming the swing so the racket finds the toss with proper grip technique.

"When you toss high, you have more time to be crummy, more time for extra movement."

Net Play & Volleys

Net play is emphasized in the Great Base system, with specific techniques for approaches, volleys, and overheads. The system teaches both players to come to the net in doubles.

"One of the toughest things about being a server and volleyer in doubles is to find a partner who serves and volleys."

Great Base Tennis Resources

Steve Smith and the Great Base Tennis team offer numerous free resources to help players and coaches implement their system.

Official Website

The Great Base Tennis website offers free online tennis instruction, educational articles, and curriculum information.

Visit Website

YouTube Channel

With over 870 instructional videos, the Great Base Tennis YouTube channel provides comprehensive visual demonstrations of the system.

Watch Videos

Great Base Podcast

The weekly Great Base Tennis Podcast with Steve Smith and Andy Fitzell provides insights, ideas, and information to help players and coaches.

Listen to Podcast

Free Online Courses

Great Base Tennis offers free educational courses including the comprehensive "Tennis Intelligence Applied," a 25-hour course covering all aspects of the system.

Social Media Content

Follow Great Base Tennis on social media for daily insights, educational posts, video content, and live stream sessions going back over 10 years.

Great Base at Eagle Tennis Academy

At Eagle Tennis Academy, we've integrated Steve Smith's Great Base Tennis system into our curriculum because we believe in its fact-based, developmental approach. Our Gold Group and Silver Group programs rely heavily on the Great Base methodology.

Our coaches have studied the Great Base system and incorporate its position-based teaching, grip fundamentals, and technical principles into our daily instruction. We've seen tremendous results in player development and skill acquisition.

Through this system, we're able to offer our students a structured pathway to tennis excellence that combines technical skill development with character building and mental toughness.

Silver Group

For ages 8-12, with focus on developing solid fundamental technique using Great Base principles.

Learn More

Gold Group

For ages 13+, advancing technical skills with enhanced focus on match strategy and point construction.

Learn More

Private Lessons

One-on-one instruction using Great Base Tennis principles tailored to your specific needs and goals.

Book Private Lesson

Episode 247 - Released May 7, 2025

The Great Base Tennis Podcast

Episode 247: Summer Tennis Camps

In this insightful episode, Steve Smith, Ivan Ozerets, and Dave Anderson discuss summer tennis camps and their importance for player development. They share valuable perspectives on what makes an effective camp experience, balancing fun with quality instruction.

"Our position: summer tennis camps should be a fantastic experience that creates lifetime memories, plus children should be taught extremely well. The success of summer tennis camps is of utmost importance for the future success of our sport."

Key Topics Discussed:

  • Creating memorable experiences while delivering quality instruction
  • How camps serve as gateways to tennis teaching careers
  • Balancing fun activities with structured technical development
  • The importance of consistent teaching methodology across all coaches
Watch Full Episode

How We Apply Great Base Principles in Our Summer Camps

At Eagle Tennis Academy, we've structured our summer tennis programs following Steve Smith's Great Base system. Our camps focus on consistent technical instruction across all coaches, ensuring players receive the same fundamentals regardless of which group they join. Each day follows the position-based curriculum, helping campers understand both how to execute shots and when to use them in match situations.

Daily Skills Focus

Each day targets specific court positions and related skills, building a complete framework for point construction.

Video Analysis

We document progress with before/after video analysis, giving campers visual feedback on their improvement.

Balance of Fun & Learning

We create lifetime memories while ensuring players develop proper technical skills they can build on.

What Tennis Professionals Say

"First of all, I support the 10 and Under Tennis initiative. The international movement in tennis to have kids play with appropriately sized courts, balls and racquets is significant."

Dennis Van Der Meer

Founder – Professional Tennis Registry

"Beautiful tennis, winning tennis. Winning tennis doesn't lead to beautiful tennis, but beautiful tennis will lead to winning tennis."

Virginia Wade

Former World No. 2 & Wimbledon Champion

"Steve Smith's Great Base System is one of the most comprehensive, fact-based methodologies I've encountered in my coaching career. It provides clear pathways for development at every level."

Percy Chan

Head Coach, Eagle Tennis Academy

Ready to Experience the Great Base System?

Join us at Eagle Tennis Academy and experience the transformative power of Steve Smith's Great Base Tennis system. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced player, our structured approach will help you build solid fundamentals and advance your game.