The First 4 Games Strategy
Thank you for accessing this document and allowing us to help you win more matches. The instructions that follow are the result of several years of research and combine the findings of experts. In order to succeed you need to follow the 8 point plan.
THE FIRST 4 GAMES STRATEGY
This strategy can be implemented immediately without practice, so you can use it in your next match. Like a chess match with the opening moves, the full use of the strategy will depend on how your opponent reacts. There are no guarantees, you are simply increasing your chances of winning the match. You will not win every match with this strategy but you will win far more of those matches that you SHOULD win.
The reason I have chosen this particular strategy is because it is:
1) One that can be implemented immediately
2) Effective at every level
3) Straightforward to implement
4) A Gateway to other strategies
5) Calms and refocuses the energy that is sapped by pre-match nerves
6) The best introduction to the fundamental principles of The Art of Winning
Having a plan (strategy) and then having a micro plan on every point increases your chances of winning. Unless you are playing an Art of Winning Opponent, it is likely that your opponent will not be using any strategy at all. If they have a ‘strategy’ it will normally focus on a weakness that they know you have or their strengths (normally individual shots). This is why The Art of Winning places such an emphasis on having a strategy and a plan for each point. Because no-one else does.
The Goal of this Strategy is to establish a lead at the beginning and stay ahead to win the match. You are looking for your opponent to surrender the match early on by taking an early lead. When you first use this strategy it will not be easy to see the signs of your opponent ‘surrendering’ the match.
It is effective because it takes advantage of your opponent’s pre-match anxiety. It is almost certain that your opponent will have pre-match anxiety and will experience pressure in some form. This is true even if they look cool, calm and collected.
The more you use this strategy, the more you will increase your ability to see the signs of your opponent’s surrender. You need to be aware that frequently, your opponent will surrender and not realize they have done so. You will become very skilled at spotting the signs of surrender. Some are obvious, some are less obvious.
Shouting and swearing are obvious signs of surrender. Less obvious will be your opponent’s trying to hit more and more ‘reckless’/’low margin shots’ and making an increasing number of errors. At The Art of Winning, we call this resorting to Individual Shot Making or ISM. You need to avoid ISM and you need to spot ISM in your opponents.
The First 4 Game Strategy does not end after game number 4. Game number 5 has a vital role to play. The First 4 Game Strategy has a beginning, a middle and an end. It is a Strategy about the whole match and not just the start.
The Key Concepts and Principles of The First 4 Games Strategy
This is the core of the Strategy. You can work on each Concept and Principle each time you play. I will look at each concept in some detail but you will need a summary. To that end, I have provided a separate File that you can have at hand on your phone with exactly what to do and the sequence in which it needs to be done. It is this File that you will need to refer to before (and during the match).
1. Getting ahead and staying ahead
This is the goal of the strategy. At The Art of Winning, we compile and interpret the data from matches at every level. What we find is that more points are lost when the player is ahead than when the same player is behind. In other words, players struggle more when they are ahead than when they are behind. This has a huge impact on the way the game is played. You need to develop strategies for both holding and extending the lead.
In order for the strategy to be the most successful, you will need to be in the lead by either 4 – 0 or 3 – 1 after the fourth game. In order to do this, you need to focus on every single shot of every single point throughout the match. This does not mean that you should play every point in the same way.
Because success in singles is about eliminating errors rather than hitting winners, it is important that you focus on not making errors. The best way to do this is to focus on hitting x2 shots IN on every single point. This is true on both the serve and the return. Getting x2 shots IN on every point will give you a massive advantage over your opponent. This is the starting point of the First Four Games strategy. The next two concepts focus on how you get your first x2 shots into the court on every point.
2. ‘First Strike’ – Two Shot Planning
70% of points are played within the first four shots. This statistic has a decisive effect on the outcome of a tennis match. This is also the area that players attend to least – the first two shots. We call the first two shots the First Strike. We explore the First Strike strategy in much, more depth in the ‘Competitive Intelligence’ course. We also look at why and how 2 shots sequences can be harnessed, developed and deployed with transformative effect.
The two shot sequences aim to direct the ball into the court into specific areas of the court. For example, when we are playing on the deuce side, we hit a ‘Run’ serve (known as an Outside or Inside Serve) followed by an AD-Run. We could also hit a ‘Cage’ serve followed by a ‘Cage’ forehand. Below, I will give you specific examples of First Strike patterns that you can use.
If you have read and employed the Djokovic versus Del Potro 2018 Strategy, this is an example of a First Strike Sequence.
Here it is again: Djokovic vs. Delpo: How did Novak do it?
Planning the point involves you selecting the exact First Strike sequence that you want to use. You need to do this before the start of each point and you need to do it on every point. The effect on your ability to win a point by planning is dramatic. You literally ‘Plan to win’. Consider this quote from Sun Tzu in The Art of War and you will begin to understand the effect of planning on the outcome of a point:
“The worst plan is better than the best improvisation.”
There are 6 Reasons why Planning the First Strike Sequence is so powerful:
1. It has a ‘calming’ effect on your mind. It helps you refocus on each point and stops your emotions taking over. In this sense, it stops you relying on ‘hope’ to win a point (never a good thing). It keeps you ‘in the present (moment)’.
2. You win more points
3. It stops you simply ‘reacting’ to your opponent’s shots
4. You have options. If a particular First Strike Sequence is not working then you can try another.
5. With time (and not that much time), you will begin to understand which First Strike sequences are your best. You will begin to understand your strengths. This process is essential in The Art of Winning Programme and it will help you develop ‘Competitive Intelligence’.
6. In the same way as 5, you will be able to focus and build your match strategy on the First Strike sequences that your opponent likes the least.
3. Using the ‘Inside Corners’
The ‘Inside Corners’ refer to two specific areas on the court. They are here:
- Inside Deuce Corner (IDC)
- Inside AD Corner (IAC)
The Neutral Zone
This zone is important to understand because it plays a central role in the First Four Games Strategy.
The outcome of a game of singles is determined by the player that makes the least errors. Your goal in singles is to reduce errors. The player that makes the least will win. Hitting into ‘The Neutral Zone’ results in ‘high margin’ (high percentage) shots. It is called the neutral zone because it gives your opponent the least opportunity to ‘attack’ the ball. If you hit into the Neutral Zone your opponent will often panic and try to hit a ‘low margin’ winner. This often results in errors and this is exactly what you want your opponent to do.
Hitting into The Neutral Zone has a double effect. It eliminates your errors while causing your opponent to make more errors. Hitting to the inside corners allows you to construct high margin, low error, First Strike Sequences.
The Margin around The Neutral Zone
THE SERVE ZONES
There are 3 Zones for the Serve:
- Inside Run
- Outside run
- Cage
1) Inside Run (IRUN)
An IRUN or Inside Run Serve is a serve down the “T” or Center Line of the Court. The serve is called this simply because it runs a player to the INSIDE of the court. As a player when you mentally engage your serve placement to the ‘reaction’ of your opponent, it highlights your awareness to exactly how your serve affects the return back to you. This is important because the term Inside Run Serve tells or reveals a story of what you are doing to your opponent, ‘running them to the inside of the court’.
2) Outside Run (ORUN)
An ORUN or Outside Run Serve is a serve out wide near the alley of the service box. It is called this because it runs a player to OUTSIDE of the court.
3) Cage
A Cage Serve is one that is played down the middle of the service box. Depth is the key when playing a Cage Serve because caging a player disrupts their reaction time and space. A short Serve in the middle of the service box is not considered a Cage Serve, that would qualify as a strike zone serve. A strike zone Serve is one where a player has time to set up and create the proper spacing to be offensive with the return.
First Strike Sequence on the Serve
Option 1
Shot 1 – Outside Run Serve
Shot 2 – Inside AD Corner
Option 2
Shot 1 – Inside Run Serve
Shot 2 – Cage
Return of Serve First Strike Sequences
Option 1
Shot 1 – Inside Deuce Corner
Shot 2 – Inside AD Corner
Option 2
Shot 1 – Inside Deuce Corner
Shot 2 – Inside Deuce Corner (Also Known as an Deuce Reverse)
(Video from Styrling)
4. Momentum
During a match, you will experience momentum changes. Momentum is a force that is generated by the score then temporarily seems to control the outcome of points. This can be frustrating because if Momentum is against you, it feels as if you can do little or nothing to stop it; your opponent seems to be able to keep winning point after point. On the other hand, if Momentum is on your side, you will feel like you cannot lose as the points come to you regardless of what you do. If harnessed, the power of Momentum can turn the match in your favour. Harnessing momentum is a vital skill in developing Competitive Intelligence a nd is a course in The Art of Winning (Momentum). Acquiring this skill will take time and is developed alongside Planning. Planning needs to be established first so only start introducing Momentum when this is done.
What is Momentum and how does it work?
Having Momentum means you are winning sequences of points in a row. In tennis, you can be said to have Momentum when you have won 3 consecutive points. Winning x3 points in a row is called a Conversion. You are aiming first to get a conversion and then to extend it.
Here are the 3 Momentum Scenarios:
1. You have the Momentum and you are trying to extend it.
2. Your opponent has Momentum and you are trying to stop the flow and switch.
3. Neither of you has Momentum and you are trying to gain it.
You need to be aware of how many points in a row you have won or your opponent has won. From the Stats Bank we have at The Art of Winning, we know that victory in the set will go to the player who wins the most conversions. If a player extends his conversion to win 9 points in a row, that player has a 96% chance of winning the set REGARDLESS of what else happens in the set. The percentage chance of winning comes down to 80% if you win 8 points in a row. The more extended conversions you have (4,5,6 points etc in a row) and the larger this extension is (7,8 or 9 in a row), the more you increase your chances of winning the set.
NOTE: When we look at winning consecutive points we carry these over from the previous game. For example if you won a game with two points in a row you ‘carry over’ these points to the next game and keep your run going. So you can gain a conversion if you win the first point of the new game having won two points in the previous game.
5. How to Spot ‘Surrender’ in your Opponent
A key Principle of the Art of Winning, is to defeat your opponent early in the match. We call this Checking Out in Mental Toughness. It is like surrender. With the First x4 Games Strategy, you are looking for your opponent to surrender by game five. You need to be able to spot the signs of surrender in your opponent so that you can implement principle number 6 (Keeping the door closed). Surrender can be deceptive because your opponent can come back at any time, by getting control of Momentum for example (so it’s not really surrender). If you have spotted surrender in your opponent, your work is not over. This is a mistake players make time and again.
4 signs that your opponent has surrendered:
1. They are visibly frustrated. Bad body language, swearing and emotionally over-reacting to points they have lost.
2. Showing no pleasure in winning points
3. Going into Justice mode. This is very common and is characterised by your opponent getting angry about net chords, the weather or the fact that things are not going there way. In other words, they start blaming external factors. They think that things are against them and that, for one reason or another, the whole thing is ‘unfair’. This is most common in young teenage players.
4. They start to hit ‘low margin’, ‘Epic’ shots. For this reason, they will hit more winners but will also make more errors.
The more you apply the First 4 Games Strategy, the more familiar you will become at spotting the signs of surrender in your opponent.
6. Keeping the door closed – How to deal with your opponent’s recovery
Whether or not your opponent has surrendered, they will respond to what you are doing. It is very important to react in the right way when your opponent responds. If you have followed the plan, you will be making very few errors and they will be making more errors. This will be very frustrating for them. They will start to ‘overpress’ and try low margin, Epic Shots. They will probably hit more winners and Epic shots. This is, however, a sign of surrender and it is very important not to panic when they do start to hit Epic shots and go into, what we call, Individual Shot Making mode (ISM).
Your first task when responding is to keep planning and not to panic. If your opponent starts to hit some winners it will be tempting to respond in the same way by hitting winners of your own (going into ISM mode). This must be avoided at all costs. You need to expect your opponent to go into ISM mode. When you are ahead in a game and you have won one or two points, you need to focus more on the ‘Cage’ in your planning of the First Strike Sequence. This is very important because you want to give your opponent every opportunity to miss when you are ahead. This is what ‘Outside’ serving and shots into the ‘Run’ (Ad and Deuce) Zones tend to produce.
You not not want to give your opponent a target – Give them the opportunity to miss
7. How to play the 5th game
The success of The First 4 Games Strategy depends on the outcome of game number 5. This is where you get to extend the lead you have built in the first four games. If the strategy is to work, you need to be either 3 -1 or 4-0 ahead. I will also look at what you can do if you are 4-0, 3-1 down or at 2-2.
Fifth Game Scenarios
Scenario 1 – You are winning 4-0 and you are serving
Your opponent is yet to win their first game and may be very determined to get on the scoreboard. You must be very careful because being 0-4 down gives your opponent the chance to to make a big momentum swing and they could be very determined to do so. At this stage, they have little to lose and they HAVE to win. Do not give this player a target because they will probably hit it.
You need to give your opponent plenty of chances to miss and do not resort to ISM under any circumstances. It is a good idea to open the game with a high topspin outside serve where your opponent will be tempted to take a big swing at the ball. You must be patient and stick to the First Strike Sequences that your opponent likes the least. Harder, faster and flatter serves in this scenario are what your opponent prefers, mainly because they have no time to think. Giving then high bouncing topspin serves in the cage zones will probably yield the best results.
Scenario 2 – You are winning 3-1. You lost the last game and you are serving.
Your have to be careful here because your opponent has won a game and may well sense that they can now draw level. Again, you must be patient and not resort to ISM. You need to play First Strike sequences that you are best at rather than sequences that your opponent is uncomfortable with. If you win this game you are in a very strong position and your opponent is likely to surrender. Be on your guard, however, your opponent may well resort to ISM so respond in the right way.
Scenario 3 – You are winning 3-1. You won the last game and you are serving.
Here, you not to do the opposite of the above. You need to play First Strike Sequences that your opponents likes the least. You have just broken serve and your opponent will be primed to try and break straight back. Many service games are lost for this reason. Give your opponent the opportunity to miss.
Scenario 4 – The score is 2 -2. You won the last game and you are returning.
You have an opportunity to break serve. It is very important that you focus 100% on making your First Strike Sequence. According to our Stats library, aiming for the Ad Inside Corner will produce the best results.
Scenario 5 – The Mini Battle
‘The Mini-Battle’ occurs after the first deuce. It is a long game with several Deuce/Ad points being played and neither can win two points in a row. Statistically, The Mini Battle is most likely to occur in the 1,2 and 5th games. You have to win the Mini Battle in order to win the set. Mini Battles occur even where the two players are of very different levels. There will almost always be a mini battle during a set.
The fifth game is much more likely to be a Mini Battle than any other. The reason it becomes a Mini Battle is because it becomes very difficult for either player to win two points in a row. You will often see the player who holds the advantage (who has won the previous point) play an inappropriate First Strike Sequence. Winning the Mini Battle and applying a successful First 4 Games Strategy requires you to select the appropriate First Strike Sequence.
Here is a rule of thumb (actually x2 rules of thumb) for First Strike Sequence selection during the Mini Battle.
If you won the previous point, try and make your opponent commit an error. Try and make them miss. Play a First Strike Sequence that your opponent likes least.
If you lost the previous point, play a First Strike Sequence that you are best at.
I have composed an 8 point plan that you will need to have with and read before and during the match. It may seem a lot to remember at first but it will become easier with each match and will soon become second nature. I have included it as a PDF -> The 8 Point Plan so that you can keep it with you.
THE 8 POINT PLAN
1) Play 2 shots into the court on EVERY point for 1 set
If you are serving, these two shots are the serve (S) and the serve plus one (S+1)
If you are returning, these two shots are the return of serve (R) and the return of serve plus 1 (R+1).
2) Plan each First Strike Sequence of two shots BEFORE the point begins and do so on EVERY point.
3) If the point goes beyond your first x2 shots, RESET after the second shot and try to play another x2 shots into the court
4) Only think about technique in relation to directing the first two shots into specific areas. For example, no backswing on the return. Hit ‘HIGH’ u sing your legs to cage the ball on R+1.
5) If you miss the first or second shot, RESET between points and IMMEDIATELY refocus on the next two shot sequence that you are about to begin.
6) Look for the signs of surrender in your opponent
7) Run the appropriate First Strike Sequence to win the Mini Battle
8) Count the number of points you have won in a row. Carry them over from the previous game. Try to get x3 in a row (conversion) and then extend as far as possible.