Tiebreak games

Setup

1. Singles on each court; extra players keep score and rotate in.
2. Toss for who serves first.

How it runs

1. Point 1: the first server serves once, from the deuce side.
2. Then each player serves two points in turn, starting from the ad side.
3. Change ends after every 6 points (6–0, 4–2, 3–3, and so on).
4. First to 7 points, winning by 2; keep going past 6–6 until someone leads by 2.
5. Two serves on every point; call your plan before each point, e.g. 'serve wide, forehand to the open court'.
6. Winner stays on, or rotate opponents after each tiebreak.

Coaching points

• Say the score out loud before every point, server's score first.
• Pick a simple plan and commit to it.
• On big points, use the serve and pattern you trust most.
• Reset between points: turn away, breathe, look at the strings, then go.

Common mistakes

• Serving from the wrong side after the first point.
• Forgetting to change ends at 6 points.
• Changing the plan in the middle of the swing.