High School Tennis Tryouts Preparation Plan
High school tennis tryouts start next month, which means the window to prepare is short. That is not a bad thing. It just means you need to focus on what actually moves the needle.
Let’s talk tennis.
With only a few weeks to go, you are not rebuilding your forehand or reinventing your serve. Big technical overhauls take time to settle. Instead, your goal is simple: sharpen what you already have and eliminate unnecessary mistakes.
First, get as much repetition on the basics as you can. Forehands. Backhands. Volleys. Serves. Returns of serve. Overheads. The players who make teams are usually the ones who look comfortable doing the simple things well. If you can get into drill clinics, do it. Repetition builds timing, and timing builds confidence.
Second, steady your weaknesses. You do not need to turn your backhand into a weapon in three weeks. You need to make it reliable. If your backhand breaks down under pressure, simplify it. Low to high. Contact out in front. Enough spin to bring the ball down. Focus on clean contact and extending out and up through the ball. That alone can immediately increase steadiness.
If your second serve is shaky, this becomes a priority. Nothing gives away confidence faster than double faults. A reliable second serve does not need to be big. It needs to be repeatable. Spin it in. Trust it. Make your opponent earn the point.
Third, spend real time on finishing skills. Too many players hit a good rally ball, force a short ball, and then miss the open court. That is a lost opportunity and a lost impression at tryouts. Practice short ball, open court. Practice volley, open court. Practice overhead, open court.
Notice the emphasis is not on ripping winners. Your focus is target control. Hit the open space with margin. These shots are not difficult, but they are under-practiced. And they are the difference between winning and losing close matches.
Win Under Pressure With the Rule of 3s
Tryouts are not just about strokes. They are about handling nerves.
Most players do not lose tryout matches because they lack ability. They lose because they tighten up. They think too much. They abandon what works. This is where a simple game plan matters. Apply the Rule of 3s.
First: 3 Feet. Aim roughly three feet over the net and three feet inside the lines. This gives you margin without turning you into a pusher. You are still swinging, still playing assertive tennis, but you are not flirting with the tape or the sideline.
Second: 3 Dimensions. Use height, depth, and direction. If you get nervous, default to high and deep crosscourt. High gives you safety. Deep pushes your opponent back. Crosscourt gives you the longest part of the court. You can still attack, but build the point first. If you’re comfortable with drop shots and shorter angled balls, play them as well. Tennis is about left, right, up, back, high, low. Use all 3 dimensions.
Third: 3 Steps. Focus on moving your opponent 3 steps on every ball. Set-up and footwork are critical to hitting effective shots. Forcing your opponent into just 3 steps of movement requires a full reset of body position. See how accurate that big hitter is when he has to hit the shot while moving. You will generate weaker returns.
The beauty of the Rule of 3s is that it removes indecision. You do not need a complicated strategy when nerves are high. You have clear purpose. You are playing with margin. You are not beating yourself. This approach safely puts your balls in play and will keep your opponent from getting comfortable.
Once you settle in and start playing well within this structure, your full game will begin to show. You will feel more relaxed. Your swings will free up. Your instincts will take over.
Prepare your basics. Steady your weaknesses. Practice finishing. Then simplify your mind with the Rule of 3s. If you do that, you will walk into tryouts not hoping to survive, but ready to compete.
First Ball Forehand Match Point
Success in High School tryouts? You do not need a new game in three weeks. You need a steadier version of the one you already have and a smart, proven strategy.
Source: Coaching principles adapted from Stop Losing! Play Winning Tennis Now by Joe Arena.