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Singles Patterns

Five Core Patterns. Infinite Variations.

The Five Core Patterns

Pattern Name When CORE Keys
1 Serve + 1 Forehand Serve to weakness, dictate with FH Q, ROOT, 8, BRAKE
2 Serve + 1 Backhand Serve to BH, attack the return V, ROOT, SABER, PULSE
3 Forehand Dictation Run around BH, own the court Q, 8, 45Β°, BRAKE
4 Backhand Redirect Absorb pace, change direction HUA, ROOT, SABER
5 Transition/Finish Short ball β†’ approach β†’ volley Q, ROOT, VOLLEY, PULSE

Pattern 1: Serve + 1 Forehand

The Bread & Butter.

Serve Targets

Target Effect Follow-up
Wide (deuce) Opens court, forces stretch Inside-out FH to open court
T (deuce) Jams returner, weak reply Inside-in FH down the line
Body (ad) Handcuffs, floating return Attack short ball with FH
Wide (ad) Opens BH side Run around, inside-out FH

The Sequence

  1. Serve β†’ Land target, hold Q on toss
  2. Split β†’ Read return direction at contact
  3. Move β†’ First step to FH side (even on BH returns)
  4. Load β†’ Coil, feel spiral line stretch
  5. Execute β†’ Park, 8, Brake, Pulse
  6. Recover β†’ Instant HΖ°, back to center

Coach's Note

Run around everything. If the return lets you hit a forehand, hit a forehand. Your FH push system is your weapon. The BH saber is your shield.

Pattern 2: Serve + 1 Backhand

When they protect the FH.

Serve Targets

Target Effect Follow-up
T (ad) Jams FH, forces BH return Saber down the line
Body (deuce) Crowds FH, weak BH reply Saber cross-court or DTL
Wide (ad) Pulls them wide, short return Step in, saber attack

The Sequence

  1. Serve β†’ Target BH side
  2. Read β†’ Return to your BH
  3. Load β†’ Non-dominant hand pulls racket high, feel lat stretch
  4. Execute β†’ Park, saber draw, edge leads, brake side-on, pulse
  5. Recover β†’ Back to center

Pattern 3: Forehand Dictation

The rally pattern. You own the court with your FH.

The Rules

  1. Run around BH whenever time permits
  2. Inside-out = control, margin, opens court
  3. Inside-in = surprise, finishes points
  4. Cross-court = build, move them, wait for short
  5. Never hit BH if you can hit FH (unless defensive)

Court Geometry

Your Position Their Position Your Shot
FH corner Center Inside-out to BH
FH corner BH corner Inside-in to FH
Center Center Inside-out or cross
BH corner FH corner Run around β†’ Inside-out

The Trigger

Short ball (lands inside baseline) = ATTACK. Deep ball = BUILD with cross-court FH.

Pattern 4: Backhand Redirect

Hua Jin in action. Use their pace.

When to Redirect

  • Fast ball to your BH
  • You're on defense
  • They're attacking your BH
  • You want to change direction without generating pace

The Technique

  1. Short takeback (non-dominant hand pulls)
  2. Absorb - let ball come to racket
  3. Face angle change - top hand guides face to new target
  4. No swing - body rotates slightly, racket redirects
  5. Pulse - firm 1-inch guide

Targets

Incoming Redirect To Why
Cross-court BH Down the line Changes direction, wrong-foots
Down the line Cross-court deep Buys time, high margin
High BH Offensive lob / saber drive Attack the high ball

Pattern 5: Transition & Finish

Short ball = opportunity. Don't just hit it - finish it.

The Sequence

  1. Recognize β†’ Ball lands short (inside baseline)
  2. Move β†’ Sprint to contact point, not where ball was
  3. Load β†’ Compact, early, feel stretch
  4. Execute β†’ Approach shot (drive or slice)
  5. Split β†’ At YOUR contact, split step
  6. Volley β†’ Read their reply, step & pulse
  7. Overhead β†’ If lob, track, move, brake, pulse

Approach Shot Selection

Ball Height Approach Type Target
Waist + Drive (FH push / BH saber) Deep corner
Knee - Waist Drive with heavy spin Deep, kicking
Below knee Slice approach Deep, low, skidding

The Rule

Approach β†’ Split β†’ Volley β†’ Put away. Never approach and watch.

Pattern Combinations

Situation Primary Secondary Tertiary
Serving S+1 FH S+1 BH Transition
Returning Redirect Block return Chip & charge
Rally (FH side) Dictate FH Redirect BH Transition
Rally (BH side) Redirect BH Run around FH Defend deep
Defense High margin cross Lob Redirect

The Singles Quick-Scan

SERVE: Target β†’ Split β†’ Move β†’ Load β†’ PARK β†’ 8 β†’ BRAKE β†’ PULSE β†’ RECOVER

RALLY: Build cross β†’ Wait short β†’ Run around β†’ Dictate FH β†’ Transition β†’ Finish

DEFEND: Absorb (Hua) β†’ Redirect β†’ Reset β†’ Counter