Adult Tennis: Key Tips for Improver to Intermediate Players
Adult Tennis is Rocking! Especially for players growing from Improver to Intermediate playing levels. As you develop keep one thing in mind. You’re almost there! You’re certainly not far off from the largest adult tennis category on the planet - intermediate. If you’ve been steadily improving your game and find yourself somewhere between beginner and intermediate, you’re in the “improver” phase as it’s commonly called in the UK & Ireland.
This is a fantastic place to be as you build your game, work your techniques, and deepen your understanding of tennis. As the Tennis Director at Costa del Tennis, I've had the pleasure of working with numerous players through this exciting transition at our adult tennis camps in Mallorca, Gran Canaria, and now Fuerteventura at Playitas. There are so many new players joining the sport post-covid, it’s more important than ever to focus on these key areas to reach the intermediate level.
Understanding the Improver Level
The improver level is where you transition from knowing the basics to consistently applying them and starting to think more strategically. Here’s what it means to be at this stage:
Consistency: You’re hitting more balls in play and making fewer unforced errors.
Confidence: You feel more assured in your shots and overall gameplay.
Strategy: You start to plan your shots and think ahead about positioning and shot selection. Keep it simple here. We’re simply talking about understanding high vs. low percentage tennis, net clearance, understanding your opponent’s strengths & weaknesses.
It’s an exciting phase where every little tweak can lead to significant improvements.
Technique Refinements
At the improver level, making small adjustments to your technique can have a big impact on your performance. Hopefully you’re working with some kind of coaching at this point. Taking tennis classes is great but if you can sneak in some private lessons - this stage is ideal time to do it!
I added this video above to point out exactly that “improver player”. Yes, they’re totally out of position, the technique is rough and not fully there yet. But they’re passing the ball back and forth ok, lack the confidence but having a blast and not far off from being able to do what they’re doing from the baseline - where we actually stand in tennis.
At the higher levels of the game, we don’t harp too much on technique. It’s usually baked in at that point and players are playing matches a lot so they need more strategy, accuracy, variety. But at the beginner-intermediate stage or “improver”, it matters a lot.
It can mean you getting a ball over the net or not. And if we’re not getting it over the net then we’re certainly not getting to a rally stage. Rallying a ball back & forth with someone over the net is what it’s all about!
Use this free online tennis course built exactly for this beginner-intermediate level. It covers everything you should be hearing in your tennis classes or private lessons.
Perfecting Your Grip
Pick a grip that feels like home. This is usually the eastern grip where it literally feels like you’re shaking hands with the handle. It’s a great beginner-intermediate grip and to be honest I go back and forth to this day between using the flat eastern grip (because I love to feel the ball) and a semi-western grip if I’m playing against someone hitting topspin on me.
You’re not learning topspin YET but you want deep balls and all of you want POWER. Pick a solid forehand grip and make sure to include the continental cause you’ll need it for the backhand and your serve.
Forehand Grip: The eastern grip can help you with deep balls feeling the contact point with ease.
Backhand Grip: If your backhand feels weak, try a two-handed grip for better stability and power and use a continental grip.
Swing and Follow Through
This is the #1 mistake I’m seeing with adult players at the “improver level”. The fear around striking the ball gets inside their head. They’re afraid to hit it out so they pause or full-stop half way through the stroke. In essence they wind up collapsing on the chest and around the body instead finishing up high on the opposite shoulder - away & off of your body.
We want to stress to you to start low and finish high! Never low to midway and stop. You may not believe us so it’s important to see you on camera. Set up your phone so you can see what we see. It helps a lot!!
It’s like having the Yips in golf. You can have it in tennis too. It’s hard to correct this so try not to get this bad habit started. You want a fluid long stroke from lower than the tennis ball of course because you have a net to clear first and foremost. Then a swing from low to high.
Forehand and Backhand: Focus on your follow-through. A complete, fluid follow-through can improve consistency and your power.
Serve: Ensure your serve has a smooth, consistent motion. A relaxed continental grip and a reliable toss will improve your serve’s accuracy, power and consistency.
Enhancing Footwork
Good footwork is important at the adult improver level for reaching the ball quickly and hitting balanced. Here are some key footwork tips:
The biggest tip I have is to figure out how YOU feel best getting to and hitting the ball. At this stage of the game you’re still working on a consistent contact point off both wings - forehand and backhand. Balance is the name of the game here. In order to do that you need to get to the ball first and set up to strike it. You’ll hear about footwork patterns called neutral and open stance. Have a look above at what that looks like.
Some coaches these days are hyped on the marking behind modern tennis. Modern tennis is terrific but tennis has been around a long time and most people have played at some point. So they’ve learned a particular way even if they’ve forgotten. It used to be we’d be closer to the ball because it wasn’t moving as fast - now it is. But modern footwork which is open stance can be very hard for some people to coordinate. You can see how awkward they feel by they way they look.
Find a footwork stance you feel best in and the rest will come in time. At the improver stage balls aren’t flying allover the court like you see on TV. Most times the ball is coming slow enough to get to it - set up your feet and hit the crap out of it. Very important that you’re in control of your destiny here. If you’re hitting in a manner where you feel like you’re totally off balance - push back and get in position the way you feel solid.
Stay Agile
Ready Position: Always start in a ready position, showing your opponent you’re here - you’re ready and game on! Body language and the ability to pivot on a moments notice is key here.
Split Step: Incorporate the split step into your game. This quick hop just as your opponent hits the ball allows you to react faster and get moving in the direction of the ball.
Mastering Court Positioning
Knowing where to position yourself on the court is crucial for effective play. Here’s what to focus on:
Baseline Strategy
When you’re at the improver / beginner-intermediate level you’re starting to move around the court after your opponent’s balls. I’m seeing way too many players position themselves inside the baseline and stay there. When you’re hitting groundstroke - forehand and backhands you do that off of a bounce from behind the baseline.
Did your opponent hit you a bit short causing you to step into the court? No problem, after you’ve returned the ball recover back out of the court.
Did they hit you really short? Then they’re pulling you to the net. Not the service line but the net. You want to stay there and finish the point. Not run backwards mid shot. It’s a big deal to feel confident that you are where you’re supposed to be on court. Don’t over think it. Hit - recover. Hit - recover … on repeat!
Singles Play: Position yourself just behind the baseline and adjust according to your opponent’s shots.
Doubles Play: In doubles, start close to the baseline for serves and returns, then move up to the net when possible.
Net Play
Approach Shots: After hitting an approach shot, follow it to the net. Being aggressive at the net can pressure your opponent and win you points.
Volley Position: When at the net, stay about halfway between the net and the service line to be ready for volleys.
You can see the transition perfectly in the video above. Watch him move from the baseline off both wings hitting groundstrokes inside teh court to hit a short ball and he follows it in to the net to finish it off.
Keeping Score and Calling It Out
Comfort with keeping and calling out the score is an important part of the game and of match play that can’t be overlooked. I’m seeing it from improver players the most! At the intermediate level or club level it’s a real thing. Other players will call you out for not calling the score or out balls.
If you forget the score, don’t worry about it. Ask and get going again. Because everyone knows when you don’t know the score. Keep the tension to a minimum on court, get in the habit of calling out shots & scores that are required.
Remember it’s not only the score you’re calling out. When the ball lands outside of the lines either long or wide - your opponent can’t see your side of the court the same. So they need to know what’s going on. If their ball is out - call it out loud - OUT.
Scoring Basics
Points System: Make sure you’re familiar with the tennis scoring system – 15, 30, 40, deuce, advantage, and game. It’s very important you know how to keep score.
Games and Sets: Understand how games, sets, and matches are structured to keep track during play.
Announce the Score
Before Serving: Always call out the score before you serve. This keeps both players aware and prevents confusion.
Practice Habit: During practice matches, make it a habit to call the score. It helps with focus and game awareness.
By concentrating on these areas, and that’s a lot for now, you’ll see solid improvements in your game and build the confidence to love tennis even more. Whether you join us in Mallorca, Gran Canaria, or Fuerteventura, we’re always here to help you grow in this game and having a great time doing it~
Play your heart out~