The Previdi System

Type:  Tip
Level:  2.5 - 5.0
Participation:  None

TOPIC: Serve and volley can be difficult against an attacking receiver because your opportunities as well as your time are limited. The three words you need to remember are; low, slow and close. Keep the ball low, slow the ball down and close in for the ball your opponent hits up.

EFFECT ON GAME: If you learn how to neutralize your attacking opponent by keeping the ball low and controlling the speed of the game, you'll be able to hold serve even against the best returns and the most aggressive players. You will be a partner that other players love to play with.

Type:  Tip
Level:  2.5 - 5.0
Participation:  None

TOPIC: If your opponent stays back on their return, you have more options than when they come in. What you do with the first volley and the position you and your partner take after that volley are determined by the type of return they hit to you.

EFFECT ON GAME:  Hitting the right volley to the right spot and getting to the proper position will give your team control of the point and lead to holding serve on a consistent basis.

Type:  Tip
Level:  2.5 - 5.0
Participation:  None

TOPIC: Doubles is a team sport and like any team sport, there need to be parameters for positioning and shot selection so we can work as part of the team and avoid surprises or randomness. 

EFFECT ON GAME:  If you know where to be, where to hit your next shot and , most importantly, where your partner is going hit their next shot, you will become a successful doubles team and win most, if not all of your matches. Once you've established your parameters and know the "plays" instinctively, you won't have to think you will be able to react quickly and without hesitation. Everyone on your USTA team will be able to play doubles with any other member of your team and there will be no confusion or learning curve. Your team will have a huge advantage over all other teams you play. 

Type:  Tip
Level:  2.5 - 5.0
Participation:  None

TOPIC: The term "JAIL" in The Previdi System, refers to hitting your return Short, Angled and Low. Hitting your return SAL and putting your opponent in JAIL will help you control points in your doubles matches.

EFFECT ON GAME:  When your doubles team is able to put your opponents in JAIL, you will limit their ability to lob, to hit passing shots and you will create space between your opponents for your next shot. It will allow you and your partner to get in optimal attacking position and enable you to stay on the offensive during the point. Your opponents will get frustrated because you're taking away their ability to hit their favorite shots. They'll be playing defensive tennis at all times!

Type:  Tip
Level:  2.5 - 5.0
Participation:  2-4 players

TOPIC:  There are two places where we want to hit the ball in The Previdi System in order to control play and limit our opponents options. SAL ( short, angled and low), and deep over the net players head. 

EFFECT ON GAME:  When you are able to master the areas of the court where there are no opponents, especially when the server or receiver stay back, you and your partner will control play and keep your opponents off balance. You're also exploiting the same player by hitting to both of these spots and eliminating the net player as a threat. 

Type:  Tip
Level:  2.5 - 5.0
Participation:  None

TOPIC: There are three ways to win a point in tennis; winners, unforced errors and forced errors. You want to put your opponents in difficult situations and force them to miss.

EFFECT ON GAME:  If you and your partner can consistently put your opponents in difficult situations and force them to hit shots under duress, you will be effective against teams of all levels.

Type:  Tip
Level:  2.5 - 5.0
Participation:  None

TOPIC: Most doubles players and teams disrespect players who lob a lot in doubles. This is because they've never been taught how to beat the lobbers and always lose to them. They feel they're superior players and can't deal with losing to people who seem so unskilled.

EFFECT ON GAME: By learning the Hunter and Helper positioning and shot selection in The Previdi System, players have a much better idea of how to beat the lobbers, a better chance to beat them and will gain confidence against them. It's never a good idea to underestimate or disrespect your opponents game, respect the lobbers...but beat them!

Type:  Tip
Level:  2.5 - 5.0
Participation:  None

TOPIC: A universal problem in adult, competitive tennis is playing against, and winning against lobbers. Using The Previdi System and learning your Hunter and Helper positioning and responsibilities will help you and your partner conquer these players.

EFFECT ON GAME:  Once you and your doubles partner understand that playing against lobbers requires a lot of discipline in your shot selection and positioning, you can relax and be effective against these teams. 

Type:  Tip
Level:  2.5 - 5.0
Participation:  None

TOPIC: How to handle the down the middle ball in doubles when you and your partner are at the net is a problem at all levels if both players are equidistant from the net and will never be solved with that positioning.

EFFECT ON GAME:  In The Previdi System by learning the Hunter and Helper staggered positioning, one partner always has opportunity on middle balls and the other always has responsibility on those same balls. You can permanently solve your middle ball problems in no time by learning and mastering The Previdi System.

Type:  Tip
Level:  2.5 - 5.0
Participation:  2-4 players

TOPIC:  The two most important physical skills you can have in doubles are Accuracy and Consistency.

EFFECT ON GAME:  In The Previdi System we work constantly on being consistent and accurate. If you have those skills in your game you will be very difficult to beat. The ability to make all of your shots and put them where you want will lead you to success against any team at any level. Think of all the players you've lost to who don't seem to have great strokes but never miss and always put it where you aren't. Those are the players you want to emulate. 

Type:  Tip
Level:  2.5 - 5.0
Participation:  None

TOPIC: Most tennis lessons are too technique based and have no substantial effect on your results in your doubles matches. In The Previdi System, we teach you how to use your shots in specific situations or "plays." 

EFFECT ON GAME:  The result of learning The Previdi System way is that you will see a direct correlation between the time you spend practicing ( clinics, lessons, practice matches), and your results in doubles matches. The shots you need in each situation improve through repetition of the drills and games and become instinctive in your matches.

Type:  Tip
Level:  2.5 - 5.0
Participation:  None

TOPIC: There are challenges we face in all points and in all matches. The way we approach these challenges will determine our success or failure when we play competitively.

EFFECT ON GAME:  In The Previdi System we teach our players to learn how to problem solve by practicing situations over and over so that we recognize how to get out of difficulty rather than focusing on the fact that we're in trouble. Only great players can consistently take a tough point and turn it around to win it. Once you've mastered this mental and physical skill by using the drills in The Previdi System everyone will want you for a partner and no one will want to play against you!

Type:  Terminology
Level:  2.5 - 5.0
Participation:  None

TOPIC: In The Previdi System, the terms Hunter and Helper define the positioning and shot selection of the two doubles partners.

EFFECT ON GAME: Once you and your partner have mastered Hunter and Helper positioning and shot selection, you will eliminate randomness, bad decisions and poor decisions. You will always be on the same page and can play with any teammate seamlessly.

Type:  Terminology
Level:  2.5 - 5.0
Participation:  None

TOPIC: In order to put your opponents in "Jail", you need to hit a SAL ( Short, Angled , Low) ball. 

EFFECT ON GAME: If you perfect the SAL Return, you will be limiting your opponents options and controlling play. You will also open the court up for other, complementary shots, such as the Offensive Lob Return.

Type:  Terminology
Level:  2.5 - 5.0
Participation:  None

TOPIC: In The Previdi System, "Jail" is the area in front of the server near the service line and the singles sideline. Hitting here with a SAL (Short, Angled, Low) Return, will give your opponents few options and will set up you and your partner to control play at the net.

EFFECT ON GAME: The beauty of "Jail" is that hitting returns (or other shots ) there is equally effective against opponents who stay back as well as those who come in. It is effective at all levels of play.

Type:  Terminology
Level:  2.5 - 5.0
Participation:  None

TOPIC: In The Previdi System, it's important to understand where you are supposed to hit the ball when you're the Hunter or the Helper. Deep to Deep and Short to Short will help you remember where to hit based on your role at that time.

EFFECT ON GAME: Hitting the appropriate shots will help you to set yourself and your partner up as well as letting your partner know what their next move should be before you've even hit your shot. No hesitation and no bad choices will give you a better chance to win your matches.

Type:  Terminology
Level:  2.5 - 5.0
Participation:  None

TOPIC: In The Previdi System terminology, the Moment of Truth is the foundation upon which all shots are built.

EFFECT ON GAME: If you are consistent at the Contact Point (Moment of Truth), you will be able to be consistent and accurate, the two most important qualities in doubles.

Type:  Terminology
Level:  2.5 - 5.0
Participation:  None

TOPIC: When you hit the SAL Return in The Previdi System, you're going to get many angled balls back in response. If you don't put the net strap in between you and the opponent, you will be vulnerable to those angles. Any time you're the Helper, put the netstrap between you and the opponent so you're positioned in the center of all the possible returns to your side. Make sure your Hunter doesn't go and hide in their alley because the middle will be wide open.

EFFECT ON GAME: If you position yourself properly as the Helper, you will not be vulnerable to angles and will be able to use your opponents angles against them.

Type:  Terminology
Level:  2.5 - 5.0
Participation:  None

TOPIC: In order to be a great doubles player, you need to master the mid court area. You're going to be moving through this area on your first volley as a server or receiver. In The Previdi System we call this area "Pro Man's land" because great players at all levels are proficient at setting up points from this area. 

EFFECT ON GAME: Once you've mastered Pro Man's Land, you will be able to get to the net without missing set up volleys. You and your partner will control play from your Hunter and Helper positions.

Type:  Terminology
Level:  2.5 - 5.0
Participation:  None

TOPIC: When the Helper has to run behind the Hunter for a deep lob, the Helper tells the Hunter to "Get Back" so they can play defense together. When the Helper has to "Abandon Ship" they don't leave their partner behind. 

EFFECT ON GAME: Getting back together and hitting a high lob will help to neutralize the opponents advantage and keep our team in the point. The key is to be patient once your team is back and keep lobbing until an opportunity arises to take the net back.