Pressure points match play

Setup

1. Singles court with full match rules: two serves, lets, foot faults and calls on your own side.
2. Write pressure starts on cards: 30–40, 40–30, deuce, 5–5 in a tiebreak, 6–6 in a tiebreak.

How it runs

1. Draw a card and play the game or tiebreak from that score.
2. Serve from the correct side for the score: 30–40 is the sixth point, so the ad side.
3. In a tiebreak, serve one point, then two each, changing ends every 6 points; first to 7 by 2.
4. Between points, each player runs their full routine: reset, breathe, plan the next point.
5. Play best of 9 cards, then swap opponents.

Coaching points

• Have a plan before the serve: target, pattern and first ball.
• Make the first serve: take a little pace off and add spin for a higher percentage.
• Build the point with big targets; let the opponent take the risks.
• Attack the short ball when it comes; don't wait for a perfect one.
• Same routine on every point, whether ahead or behind.

Common mistakes

• Missing the first serve by going for too much.
• Playing passively and pushing the ball short.
• Rushing between points after an error.