THE WARDLAW DIRECTIONALS
The Wardlaw directionals developed by Paul Wardlaw.
As used by some Colledge teams in the states.
The Wardlaw Directionals is a shot selection stategy allowing a player to understand, when is the best time to
change the direction of the ball.
This information will help in your shot selection strategy, how to control your shot making and how to work
your way back into a game that is fast ebbing away from you.
This system will help you decide whether it is a good idea or not, to change the direction of the play. I have
seen many players, including good players, make mistakes by trying to change the direction of the ball, when
it is too good a shot from their opponent and the ball is not in their comfort zone.
If there is any possibility that you will be unable to control the ball that is coming to you, then the obvious hit
is back to where it came from, this will allow a certain margin for error as the return is a right angle hit.
When reviewing the following directionals you will observe that there are some changes of direction that are
natural and allow the natural rotation of the hips and shoulders.
INSIDE AND OUTSIDE GROUND STROKES.
It is necessary to understand the difference between inside and outside strokes and both forehand and backhand
strokes are either inside or outside.
Outside Ground Stroke.
To fully understand the outside ground stroke, view figures 1 & 2.
These are shown in a cross court rally, These are called outside strokes because the ball is crossing in front of
the player’s body and is moving towards the outside of the court.
Figure 1 indicates outside to outside forehands
Figure 2 indicates outside to outside backhands.
To get a good idea of this in practice, go out on to the court and put it into practice.
As used by some Colledge teams in the states.
The Wardlaw Directionals is a shot selection stategy allowing a player to understand, when is the best time to
change the direction of the ball.
This information will help in your shot selection strategy, how to control your shot making and how to work
your way back into a game that is fast ebbing away from you.
This system will help you decide whether it is a good idea or not, to change the direction of the play. I have
seen many players, including good players, make mistakes by trying to change the direction of the ball, when
it is too good a shot from their opponent and the ball is not in their comfort zone.
If there is any possibility that you will be unable to control the ball that is coming to you, then the obvious hit
is back to where it came from, this will allow a certain margin for error as the return is a right angle hit.
When reviewing the following directionals you will observe that there are some changes of direction that are
natural and allow the natural rotation of the hips and shoulders.
INSIDE AND OUTSIDE GROUND STROKES.
It is necessary to understand the difference between inside and outside strokes and both forehand and backhand
strokes are either inside or outside.
Outside Ground Stroke.
To fully understand the outside ground stroke, view figures 1 & 2.
These are shown in a cross court rally, These are called outside strokes because the ball is crossing in front of
the player’s body and is moving towards the outside of the court.
Figure 1 indicates outside to outside forehands
Figure 2 indicates outside to outside backhands.
To get a good idea of this in practice, go out on to the court and put it into practice.
Figure one - Outside forehands
Figure two - Outside backhands
Inside Ground Strokes.
An inside stroke occurs when the ball does not cross in front of the player’s body. View figure 3 to see
that the ball from the outside of player does not cross in front of the second player , this allows the
player to do an inside forehand.
An inside stroke occurs when the ball does not cross in front of the player’s body. View figure 3 to see
that the ball from the outside of player does not cross in front of the second player , this allows the
player to do an inside forehand.
Figure three - Inside forehand
In figure 4 we see the example of a cross court backhand from player going to the inside Backhand
of second player .
of second player .
Figure fopur - Inside backhand.
WARDLAW DIRECTIONALS – BASIC GUIDELINES.
As has been seen so far, it is the position of the player and the ball, not the ball and the court, that
determine whether an inside or outside ground stroke will be hit. If the ball crosses the body of the player,
then the hit will be and outside stroke, if the ball does not pass in front of the player then an inside ground
stroke will be hit.
A/. Guide One - The most natural and high percentage shot is to hit the ball back cross court and there
is no change of direction of the ball, therefore the ball leaves the racquet strings at a right angle and thus
fewer errors are made and your opponent has less opportunity to attack you. See figures 1 & 2 for no
change of direction on forehands and backhands.
B/. Guide Two - It is more productive to change direction from an inside ground stroke and hit to the
open court. By using inside shots to change direction give you the advantage on the offensive.
Players should step into the court to take an inside ball on the rise.
C/. Guide Three – If you change direction on an Outside Ground Stroke there is a 90 Degree change of
direction. You have to be careful when using this change of direction as it is in such instances that errors
are made. The ball needs to be in your comfort zone and not when you are under pressure from a good
shot from your opponent.
An important point in changing direction on an outside ground stroke is to not hit too close to the lines as
this is where the ball will often fly out.
This is just a basic idea on the Wardlaw directionals, the same principles apply to Volleys, approach
shots etc.,
As has been seen so far, it is the position of the player and the ball, not the ball and the court, that
determine whether an inside or outside ground stroke will be hit. If the ball crosses the body of the player,
then the hit will be and outside stroke, if the ball does not pass in front of the player then an inside ground
stroke will be hit.
A/. Guide One -
fewer errors are made and your opponent has less opportunity to attack you. See figures 1 & 2 for no
change of direction on forehands and backhands.
B/. Guide Two -
Players should step into the court to take an inside ball on the rise.
C/. Guide Three – If you change direction on an Outside Ground Stroke there is a 90 Degree change of
direction. You have to be careful when using this change of direction as it is in such instances that errors
are made. The ball needs to be in your comfort zone and not when you are under pressure from a good
shot from your opponent.
An important point in changing direction on an outside ground stroke is to not hit too close to the lines as
this is where the ball will often fly out.
This is just a basic idea on the Wardlaw directionals, the same principles apply to Volleys, approach
shots etc.,