I just got back from a junior tournament with one of my students, a girl who is playing the 18-and-under category. I had a chance to watch a few of the top girls in the country play and what struck me was how similar they all play.

It is safe to say that more than 90 percent of the girls play the same exact style, a one-dimensional attacking baseline game with a 2-handed backhand and a semi-western forehand. It is rare to see a girl with a one-handed backhand, a slice, a decent volley or a drop shot. Serving and volleying is not even in their vocabulary, and the only time they come to the net is if they have no choice -- a very short ball -- or to shake hands at the end of the game.

This leads to matches and points that look the same, long rallies between 2 girls that hit the ball very hard and very accurately until someone puts the ball away or misses. The girls that I watched were all very good hitters and atheletes and could easily be taught how to hit a decent volley or a slice.

It is the fault of their coaches that they don't posses more weapons. For this reason most
of them will end up in college or in low-level pro events playing against similar-type players.

When I work with my junior players in my academy I try to work on a variety of shots from an early age and practically force them to come to the net, use the slice and work on "special shots" such as a drop shot and the short angle. It is not very popular and many times the kids are reluctant to learn the new stuff, but I find that the effort will pay off later on in their careers.