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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, 45°, BRAKE
4 Backhand Redirect Absorb pace, change direction HUA, ROOT, SABER
5 Transition/Finish Short ball → approach → 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 → Land target, hold Q on toss
  2. Split → Read return direction at contact
  3. Move → First step to FH side (even on BH returns)
  4. Load → Coil, feel spiral line stretch
  5. Execute → Park, 8, Brake, Pulse
  6. Recover → Instant Hư, 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 → Target BH side
  2. Read → Return to your BH
  3. Load → Non-dominant hand pulls racket high, feel lat stretch
  4. Execute → Park, saber draw, edge leads, brake side-on, pulse
  5. Recover → 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 → 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 → Ball lands short (inside baseline)
  2. Move → Sprint to contact point, not where ball was
  3. Load → Compact, early, feel stretch
  4. Execute → Approach shot (drive or slice)
  5. Split → At YOUR contact, split step
  6. Volley → Read their reply, step & pulse
  7. Overhead → 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 → Split → Volley → 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 → Split → Move → Load → PARK → 8 → BRAKE → PULSE → RECOVER

RALLY: Build cross → Wait short → Run around → Dictate FH → Transition → Finish

DEFEND: Absorb (Hua) → Redirect → Reset → Counter