September 2002 -- While you are watching a tennis match, have you thought of keeping track of the points on paper? Be an active spectator! Tracking points gives you lots of great information that can help you and your students improve your game. Here’s how.
Start by setting up a chart with the following information:
- Name of the tournament
- Name of the player
- Name of the opponent (you might want to list if he is left or right handed)
- Date of match
- Make columns for first, second and double fault serves.
*If the player you are charting serves first, use tally marks to chart whether he gets his first serve, second or double faults for each point. You will always know what the score is and the order of serves by referring to your chart.
- Make columns to chart points for the player and opponent.
*Using tally marks, chart each point by putting tallys in the points won player column, or points won by the opponent column. For example, if the person you are charting gets the first point, he will have a tally in the points won player column; thus the score is 15-0. If the opponent gets the point, mark a tally in the opponent’s column; then the score is 0-15. You will always know what the score is in the game by referring to your chart.
- When someone wins a game, list the score under game score column. Always list the player or opponent’s score in the order in which they began playing. For example, if the player you are charting has won the first two games, the game score is 2-0.
- As you develop this system, you can custom design it for yourself. For example, you can add a column for advances to the net, unforced errors, overheads, lobs, drop shots, etc.
- At the end of the match, list the final score and who won.
Using these charts will help you determine information about serving percentages, winners and unforced errors, as well as:
- If the player you are charting splits sets, you can go to your notes and let him know why he is winning or losing.
- Either a teaching pro or the player can file these charts under the opponent’s name. Then, if the player ever faces the same opponent, he can study the charts with his teaching pro to see what he did right or wrong and how he can improve his game.
- If a coach cannot attend a particular match, someone else can chart it for the players. Later, the player and his coach can spend time discussing the match.
- If, as a spectator, you get nervous, this will keep you busy.
