Improve your target to win more tennis matches

[@cybergrail]

This was really eye-opening for me. I had no idea that a D1 player of that caliber would have such a large pattern even on balls just being fed. What the hell am I doing trying to hit more difficult targets. Amazing video. Thank you!

[@StokkeTennis]

This is the realization I was hoping for!!!

[@Steveo47dog]

This is why I follow Coach Stokke, I’m learning concepts that are completely foreign to me and at the same time extremely useful!

[@sophiak4299]

Such good advice. As a 4.0 player (or thereabouts) matches are decided by consistency and not big amazing winning shots 😅

[@StokkeTennis]

Absolutely

[@connollyroach1755]

Outstanding. Great video.

[@StokkeTennis]

Thank you very much!

[@someguy4662]

Thank you so much. This has made a huge paradigm shift for me and also made me question what people choose to value not just in shot selection but also racket selection and marketing of rackets too. Players seem to have a cognitive bias towards noticing their big powerful winners without tracking the errors, and overestimate how accurate they are, the perfect example is the high school girl's shots and how it could be easy to to do a drill and think that you can hit it more accurately than you think. It almost seems like the vague recommendations towards tennis rackets based on what type of player you are and emphasizing speed, control, spin, maneuverability etc . Rather, it should be are you someone who wants the satisfaction of big winners but make more errors. Or are you someone who wants a lot more consistency and win more games. Not as sexy of a sales pitch, because there is such an ingrained love for POWER and the highlight reel shots that can make rec play so fun, rather than the boring stuff that wins. As someone who is happy to play the consistent tennis that is boring but wins, it only makes sense to choose the control rackets right? I have been playing for over a year and recently got the Pure Drive as a highly recommended good tweener racket, and while I can hit bigger winner more easily, I hit a lot more shots long even while adjusting technique. I think something with more control and feel is better for the consistency. Do you think making the shift not just to having a bigger target, but also to a racket that can hit the target more consistently is worth considering?

[@paulbenbow9301]

Great video Jonathan! I'd love to see a series on this. Where to aim when approaching off short balls? Where to aim for passing shots? Where to aim the first volley? Where to aim returns?

[@StokkeTennis]

Good idea, although people may not be excited about the targets I choose!

[@hughmccreadie4002]

Wow, this video is a huge relief. I didn’t imagine that a D1 player would have a shot pattern that large. And it turns out that what I thought was a large pattern is actually a small pattern! As a 3.5 player, I guess I don’t have to worry if my pattern is bigger than his. When I am loose, I always hit better… And this video will definitely help me to be more loose Thank you!

[@stratuspei9405]

This advice is just packed with wisdom, and is based on the fact that tennis is a PERCENTAGE endeavor. I'll take it to heart.

[@weswes5876]

Great lesson! I love the idea of picking a target so that the whole shot pattern will be IN THE COURT!!

[@StokkeTennis]

Once you do that your level skyrockets

[@beeth1362]

I find the idea you presented here is similar to Feel Tennis' notion of Big Target, although such ideas as oval pattern of ball dispersion, different target location depending on the skill level are new. This a valuable wisdom. Thank you.

[@StokkeTennis]

I'll go check out that video!

[@stephenyost132]

Great Instruction… with very specific (and realistic) Target focus! The ‘margin of error’ concept speaks to all skill levels…. I incorporate that strategy on my serve - but lose discipline/over confident on my forehand groundies! Thanks Coach, SteveY. 👍🎾😎

[@StokkeTennis]

@@stephenyost132 Once you get disciplined with your targets your level will skyrocket

[@feeltennis]

@@StokkeTennis We are exactly on the same wave-length, you say the same words I do when I explain this concept. I shared most of my tactical tips like Big Target inside the paid KZbin Members area so you can't see it publicly, but will share more ideas in the future on the public channel. And yes, this is the single most important concept in tennis strategy / tacics but it gets lost in the massive amount of information online. So hopefully my 2 cents here help more players really take it more seriously.

[@StokkeTennis]

@@feeltennis Looking forward to seeing that video in the future!

[@wiggi9339]

Great coaching.

[@StokkeTennis]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@rwgallup]

Good stuff once again.

[@vectorthurm]

This is a great video and organized goal oriented approach. Thank you for sharing!

[@StokkeTennis]

Thanks for watching!

[@davebeery_youtube]

Brilliant, as always! I was taught to aim for the center early on. It’s taken me about a year to recognize and embrace that idea. Aiming for side and corner winners are so seductive. It’s hard to be patient!

[@StokkeTennis]

It's incredibly difficult to be disciplined

[@Batwam0]

Great video. I remember a video from Jules Marie at Technifibre where they explained that in terms of speed and rpm, there isn’t much of a difference between Medvedev and the other, however, where pro players shine in in their accuracy.

[@noelmackay9443]

These videos help drive home the need to go for bigger targets. I've always wondered why players camp out in the corner of the court when doing XC rally drills rather than recover to a position on the baseline that they'd actually move to if in match play. Would that not lead to better footwork and grooving of the stroke? Keep these coming. Cheers

[@StokkeTennis]

Yes, recovering to the correct spot is ideal for MANY reasons.

[@SuperSoc27]

This is one of the most eye opening tips I’ve come across. Great content - thanks.

[@mariohornsby40]

I use to work with Faris and Niroop in Arizona. They play for Duke. Faris just graduated

[@vitalenergychiro]

Wow, very helpful insights! Love your videos and podcast interviews. I really enjoy your mindset instruction and how to “think” about a players approach to the game. As someone who took up tennis at age 49, I find your instructions super helpful! Thank you!

[@StokkeTennis]

So glad you’re enjoying it!

[@RK-ft9rn]

Hi Stokke...you took the big targets concept to a whole new level!!!...Do you think that if you placed the targets shorter for D1 players that they would hit it consistently deeper?...Thank you for this awesome video!!!...Happy Holidays!

[@StokkeTennis]

I don't, I think they'd hit half shorter and half deeper if they are TRULY aiming to a shorter target. But again, you'll learn a lot about your natural tendencies when you start keeping detailed track of where your shots are landing!

[@RK-ft9rn]

Please do one on approach shots from inside the baseline...I curious to see how the shot pattern would get smaller...Thanks

[@StokkeTennis]

@@RK-ft9rn it could be a little smaller because you’re closer to the target, but still think it would be a large pattern

[@roblevley505]

You make great videos. This one is so simple but incredibly brilliant. As tennis players we always think we are better than we are. I’m taking this to the court right away!

[@StokkeTennis]

@@roblevley505 if you buy in it will be a total game changer for you

[@roblevley505]

@ I appreciate your coaching so very much. Not sure why you decided to start making a podcast and KZbin videos but I’m very glad you did. Hopefully I can do one of your in-person clinics one day.

[@StokkeTennis]

@@roblevley505 Would love to have you at a camp! I started the podcast a few years ago and KZbin in 2024. Really enjoying KZbin so far.

[@rsh8057]

I like this idea? One thing Ive wondered is really we should be aiming at a target over the net. Almost like when you’re hitting at the wall. The cone is on the ground and something you are seeing through the net. Some walls have a square or circle and I wonder what the shot pattern would be? Unfortunately its not easy to replicate easy feeds and the weird bounce can make you run…

[@Stuen4y]

Great video, tactics are so important. I guess this is why people struggle playing against moon ballers. The shot selection and target are too optimistic and the errors are usually far more than the winners

[@georgepalavi5060]

I remember reading that Agassi early on learned by hitting as hard as he could as he worked on his control. He’s probably a rare exception to the rule.

[@StokkeTennis]

@@georgepalavi5060 remember, hitting hard and aiming are too separate things.

[@jems6481]

Hard and accurate requires a good strong tricep and delts..no joke​@@StokkeTennis

[@andersflodmark8724]

Your book out for preorder soon?

[@StokkeTennis]

Haha, don't hold your breath. But a new video could come out in a few days!

[@etoroabasiakpan7050]

This is an amazing tip. Would definitely practice this. Does this also work when aiming for serves? With the area being smaller how much leeway can we give?

[@StokkeTennis]

@@etoroabasiakpan7050 same concept for all shots. Size of your serve pattern depends on quality of serve. A pro probably has a 3 foot wide patterns on serve. A 3.0 is probably 13 feet. So practice, measure your pattern and then aim accordingly!

[@the1tfactor]

Hi Coach, thanks for always keeping it real. I am trying to reconcile the “aim small, miss small” concept with that of “hit an aggressive shot to a conservative target” axiom. I realize that in many ways they mean the same thing based on where you place the target according to playing level, but they sound very different. Are we really aiming small in this instance, or would I get a similar result by creating a “cone zone”, maybe a circle or a square in a sensible place? Or does placing one tiny-ass cone in a safe area of the court produce a better result?

[@StokkeTennis]

Aim to a specific spot in the big part of the court

[@shan-tennis]

This is stellar advice 👏🏿 would you recommend the same thinking for serves ? Or would you approach it differently ?

[@StokkeTennis]

Same exact concept for serves, although the shot pattern is much smaller than a groundstroke

[@pro71]

Hey Jonathan, still waiting for that video about how to choose the right racquet… or did I miss it?

[@StokkeTennis]

@@pro71 you haven’t missed it yet! Each video takes a ton of time to make. It’s on my to do list.

[@speedypete4987]

Ezone 98?

[@StokkeTennis]

@@speedypete4987 This is the VCore, but I use all of the Yonex

[@k1ytennis304]

​@@StokkeTennis nice, looking forward to this as well

[@pro71]

@StokkeTennis very good! Looking forward to it! What I am really curious about is how we should go about thinking about maximizing equipment to become as solid as possible and miss less which has been the topic in your last few videos… which are great btw, and I am learning a lot. My issue is that when I play against better opponents and I play safe targets(like you suggested) I can’t damage them enough and eventually during the rally they end up hitting shots that make me hit a weaker shot that’s short and the point is over… this forces me to push it closer to the lines and then I start missing more. So I lose either way 🤷‍♂️. Against weaker or equal level opponents this strategy works really well though…

[@TenisLaMinut]

Gold baby.. Gold! 😀

[@StokkeTennis]

Thanks as always for following and supporting!

[@valliberace3851]

Love it. Here is my question. Assuming if using the 4.0 cross court target you laid out on neutral, what If I get a short ball that’s attackable, do you recommend a). Same target but just aim lower over net (b) a target 2 feet or so closer to sideline c). Hitting to the safe target but the down the line version rather than cross d). Something I haven’t thought of?

[@StokkeTennis]

@@valliberace3851 you can hit cross or line, fast or slow. Up to you. The faster you hit, the bigger your shot pattern gets. And just think. On a short ball, if you hit faster and take it early, why would you even need to aim wider. Also, you’re going to hit it wider on accident a lot. That’s how the pattern works. Don’t assume you’re gonna hit it near your target!

[@valliberace3851]

Thank you. And to your point about technique and the hours it takes to make meaningful lasting changes. As a rec player with only so much time to dedicate to this hobby but still with a great desire to continue to improve, I humbly request more videos like this that emphasize shot selection and targets walking through permutations of the various play situations (high percentage approach shot targets, first and second volley targets, defensive targets) tailored to level like you did here would be amazing. I mean, as a religious listener to the pod, hearing pros like Pegula say that under pressure she defaults to hard deep middle has been so valuable. Like just knowing that it doesn’t have to be complicated help us rec players get out of our own way. Thanks again!!

[@StokkeTennis]

@@valliberace3851 I'll do my best, and thanks for listening to the podcast!!

[@JohnSmith-yu5vy]

I play at 3.0, but aiming in the middle of the court would not make any sense on this level. I would get crashed by my opponents. When I play I have to aim to the sides, let's say 30% of the right, or 30% of left of the court. I can hit these targets repeatedly in a match around 80% of time, but with definitely much lower speed than the people on the video. So I think this advice is a bit quite counter intuitive. If I was hitting with 90-100% power, with my level of skill, yes, probably would need to aim in the middle.

[@StokkeTennis]

If you are a 3.0 and your controller is good enough to close for the lines, I highly recommend that. Most three hours I know don’t have great control, but if you do, you should certainly take advantage of that.

[@TheDmonet]

​@StokkeTennis I have seen 3.5 pushers win matches hitting strictly moonballs to the the T. If you are playing people who can can consistently crush short balls they aren't 3.0s.

[@jimpoole6037]

Good stuff from 74 yo past college player

[@VOGTLANDOUTDOORS]

DAMN... ALREADY shared this with several instructor buddies. The TRUTH of this smacks you upside the head. I'm ADJUSTING my target TODAY ! - Mark Vogt in North Aurora IL (just another old 4.5 who foolishly aims like he's a 5.0)

[@StokkeTennis]

Love to hear it! If this little video can help a few players then my work here is done!

[@MidTennis]

Great video as always. Are you using the VCore 95?

[@StokkeTennis]

98

[@blaskbla]

Great lesso! Interestingly you are almost the only one who is teaching us about strategy and patterns ❤

[@connollyroach1755]

I would like to see doubles targets.

[@connollyroach1755]

My assumption is add the doubles alley to the cone.

[@StokkeTennis]

Same concept!

[@sergiosimbula]

In the first minute I hear you speaking about the first if three areas that could lead to errors, and I keep hearing you day Tactical errors, but I'm I hearing this wrong, because surely you mean Technical errors?

[@StokkeTennis]

I said technical first!

[@nvn2005]

Great tips to keep in mind when practice instead of feeling frustrated for not hitting the cones. only a suggestion for your clips, it’ll be better if there a way for you to deliver the same contents in shorter clips. I think it a bit long go beyond 10 minutes, might be fine for other viewers.

[@davebeery_youtube]

Brilliant, as always! I was taught to aim for the center early on. It’s taken me about a year to recognize and embrace that idea. Aiming for side and corner winners are so seductive. It’s hard to be patient!