A 3.0 player is "a fairly consistent tennis player when faced with medium-paced shots, but is still not comfortable with ALL strokes ... lacks direction, depth, and/or power on most shots but is perfectly capable of the occassional Hit-or-Miss miracle shot ... most common formation in doubles is one-up and one-back ... still working on transitional play."
Of course all tennis players are working on transitional play because most tennis players lack either depth, direction, or power to their shots. So if you're a 3.0 player you're probably wondering: Where's the plateau? How much better do I have to get at X, Y, Z in order to be a true 3.5? Do I need more X, more Y, or more Z? What if I can't do X? Why can't I do Y like a tennis pro? And what if I hate, I mean really hate Z? (The variable, not the Tennis Director) Well...it's complicated. But in an effort to provide concise advice (in the aphoristic tradition) let's start with:
#1 Get comfortable with the mid-court ball.
Dare to hit away from the center of the court, and if you hit it well, be ready *and willing* to volley the next shot.
#2 Plug-up leaky strokes.
If X sprays two unforced errors every other game, then practice X. If there is only one stroke costing you points, then it is a simple fix.
#3 Increase your radius at net.
Make a conscious effort to widen your stance, bend your knees, and blanket an entire area. Become a bigger Net Monster. Transform yourself into a larger impediment to your ground-stroking opponent. Your volleys don't necessarily need to be crisper or more precise, but your wall, the area you can cover, must expand.
Dedicate some time to these things in your practices and/or matches and soon enough you'll be on the next plateau wondering how to get to 4.0.
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