This year marks the 20th year of RJR Platform Tennis Camps. A lot has changed in the way the sport is taught since Dick Reilly first rolled out his camps two decades ago.
Prior to 1990, there was limited platform tennis instruction. Over the years, the RJR camps demonstrated the value of concentrated high caliber instruction. Just over ten years ago, the USA PPTA was a offshoot of RJR programs. As a result, more than 230 platform tennis professionals have been certified and there are a variety of camps and “traveling” camps that provide instruction. It has become fashionable for players to improve their game through professional instruction. As a result, more players have an expanded knowledge about how to play the sport and most are enjoying their time on the court.
There is a core set of knowledge taught in each session of the RJR camps; however, it is customized to meet the needs of the players in each group. The core knowledge for the October, 5th-9th 2012 session is provided below.
Session I – Serve and Volley and Positioning
o Technical focus
o Hitting serves with spin. (Note: the serve and first volley are taught as a unit.)
o Fundamentals of volley.
o Tactical discussion
o Placement of the serve and first volley.
o Discussion about how service placement may dictate strategy and positioning for the remainder
of the point.
o Volley placement (deep and down the middle or to backhand side of ad court player).
Session II – Serve and Volley and Lobs
o Technical focus
o Hitting serves with spin. (Note: emphasis is on the role of spin on the serve and potentially the
overhead.)
o Fundamentals of volley.
o Lob.
Off the deck (off a volley).
Block (guarding the corner).
o Tactical discussion
o Placement of the serve and first volley.
o Discussion about how service placement may dictate strategy and positioning for the remainder of
the point.
o Volley placement (deep – middle of the backcourt or backhand side of ad court player).
o Lob height (As high as lights or in the sun).
o Lob placement (middle of the backcourt, make them move two directions to hit overhead).
Session III – Service Returns and Controlled Drives
o Technical Focus
o Shorter backswing.
Increased control.
Improved positioning for next shot.
o Modest pace.
o Balanced position when hitting the ball.
o Focus on placement.
o Tactical discussion
o Consistent drives.
o Drive placement.
Consistency – high percentage of returns.
Return short balls to outside of court at net player (or cross court).
Return short balls to inside of court at seam, server, or player off the net.
o Help players better understand how to move drives to take opponents out of position.
o Keep pressure on opponents with a series of drives.
Session IV – Wires
o Technical focus
o Proper positioning.
Back screen shots.
Side screen shots.
Side back shots.
Back side shots.
Crease shots.
o Center of the swing is at front of body – must be further back for backhand.
o How to lob down the line, cross court, and to the middle of the court.
o Tactical discussion
o Mix up placement of lobs.
o Mix up lobs and drives.
Session V – Tactics in the Wires
o Technical focus
o Proper positioning for greater consistency.
o Balanced when hitting shot.
o Tactical discussion
o When to lob.
o When to drive.
o Shot selection to set up player in deuce court.
o Shot selection to set up player in ad court.
o Review of Rules.
o Most common questions that professionals deal with.
o Questions from players.
Session VI – Controlling the Net
oTechnical focus.
o Proper positioning.
Deuce court.
Ad Court.
Playing with a left-handed player.
o Stance at net
Feet parallel to net.
Feet in line perpendicular to net.
o Types of overheads
Hit with pace (two wires)
Spin
Swinging volley
Push/Pillow
Waterfall
Slash
Roll
oTactical discussion
o Placement of overheads.
o Placement of volleys.
o Communications
o On-court during point.
o On-court between points.
o Off-court to improve on court performance.
o Playing with left-handed players.
o Determine which drives and lobs are going out.
Session VII – Competitive Play
o Men’s round robin.
o Women’s round robin.
Session VIII – Review of Techniques, Tactics, and Specialty Shots
o Review of spin on serve as it relates to placement.
o Controlling the net with proper positioning.
o Deeper serves as a way of improving first volley.
o Consistency in the wires.
o Review of differences between tennis and platform tennis and the subtleties of the sport.
o Maintaining balance on service returns.
o Maintaining balance on short balls and flick shots.
o Team instruction (for players whose partner was present).
In line with the philosophy, “The game teaches the game,” each session included match play to incorporate the topics focused on in the instructional sessions.
A sampling of comments from the participants shows the value of instruction in a camp setting:
o I came away with a game-changing serve.
o I now feel confident in the ad wires.
o And I feel unstoppable in the deuce wires.
o We learned the importance of having the ability to be a Steady Eddy on the court.
o I learn to like drills and compete in them, just as if they were a match.
o My volleys have never been so good.
o I found that the wires are much easier by knowing where the ball is going.
Whether your sport is platform tennis, tennis, volleyball, or skiing, most players find that they enjoy it more if they learn to improve their skills and tactics through quality instruction.
