First Serve University

Teaching players how to think their way to victory.

Welcome to FSU

WHO WE ARE

The lessons you will learn on this online campus will strengthen your ability to outhink your opponent. My guarantee is that if you study and practice the lessons on this site, you will become a tactical specialist.

Tactics win matches and I’m here to share everything I know to help you form your own. I’m sure you’ll enjoy your time here. Feel free to explore the site and when you’re ready, let’s get started!

I’m Nathan, your tactical trainer, and I'm here to help you outthink your opponent and become a tactical specialist—because tactics win matches.

A good defense is oftentimes the best offense.

Double’s Essentials

Challenges & Solutions →

  • One Up One Back

    Probably the most common scenario across all levels, even on the pro circuit. You'll need to know where to stand when your opponent gets a short ball and is moving forward, where to go if you want to poach, and where move to when your opponent has a chance to attack your team at the net

  • Online Video Demo

    When your team is not playing well at net or if your opponent is playing extremely aggressive at net and having success against you, you will probably want to play two back. It will be important to understand who covers which shots and how to move if your partner gets moved up or outside the court.

  • Two at Net

    Most players that step onto a doubles court are looking to stay at the baseline and grind it out, even against two players are net. So playing two back is becoming a common strategy. The volley will always have an advantage over groundstrokes, but players that get a ball shorter or slower in the court can really do some damage and hit through net players, even on the tour.

The quiz on tactical knowledge covers various tennis strategies, such as optimal serve locations, effective returns, volley recovery positions, handling different types of rallies, and tactics for managing opponents' play styles. It includes multiple-choice questions on these topics, designed to test and improve your understanding of tennis tactics.

Do You Know the Basics of Tactics? Test Yourself and See!

Testimonials

  • "I always have Nathan in my head now about not being a sucker for the opponent court. I now stay in my pattern of play until I'm ready to attack or change the pattern.

    Laurie Payton

  • Learning Coach Nathan's methodology was a game-changer for me. His approach isn't just about improving technique; it's about understanding the intricacies of the game. I learned to anticipate the nuances of court positioning and play with strategic intelligence.

    Kat Zlotnick

  • " My wife bought me a month of access for my birthday. I thought it was a going to be a waste of time and money. I was wrong! There is nothing like this online or in person. Why aren't more coaches teaching this?! Being able to predict where my opponent is going to return my serve has literally been a game changer. It is hard for my opponent to surprise me when I can predict where they are going to hit."

    Jamie Kokot

  • "I've been playing ALTA for 5 years now and I used to believe that when I gave my opponent an easy overhead in doubles that the point was over. Not anymore! Me and partner understand where to stand now to play defense and get back into the point! All those years of paying for team lessons and I never learned any of the stuff I needed to actually win matches. Finally, some tactics I can actually use!"

    Lindsey Beumer