Run around it

Great—this is exactly the kind of thinking that actually moves your level up.

I’ll give you a tight 30-minute “AI-style” session first, then explain the “run-around forehand at point C” idea from Craig O’Shannessy in a clear, practical way.

🎾 30-Minute AI-Style Tennis Session

(Built around first 3 shots = highest impact)

⏱️ 0:00–5:00 — Warm-up with intent (not random)

• Mini tennis → baseline

• Call your target out loud before hitting

  
  

  • “cross”

  • “line”

  • “short”

• 
  

👉 This builds decision before execution (AI principle)

⏱️ 5:00–12:00 — Serve + 1 Pattern (Core engine)

Drill: Serve → live return → play 1 more ball only

• You serve

• Partner returns realistically

• You hit ONE next shot (then stop)

Your goal:

Choose between:

• attack (drive)

• control (deep cross)

• disrupt (short / drop)

👉 Why this is powerful:

• Forces instant pattern recognition

• Matches real stat: most points decided in 0–4 shots

⏱️ 12:00–18:00 — Your drill upgraded (this is your idea refined)

Serve → return → decision tree

• You serve

• Partner mixes returns:

  
  

  • deep cross

  • short middle

  • down the line

• 
  

You must choose:

• Drop shot (only if ball is short)

• Drive cross (neutral)

• Attack line (if weak return)

⚠️ Rule:

If you choose the wrong shot → replay

👉 This builds:

• shot selection (AI gold)

• not just execution

⏱️ 18:00–24:00 — Return + Point C focus

Return of serve → play out 3 shots max

• Partner serves

• You return

• Play only 3 shots total

Your focus:

• Look for forehand opportunity early

• Especially:

  
  

  • step around backhand

  • take forehand from middle

• 
  

👉 This is where “Point C” comes in (explained below)

⏱️ 24:00–30:00 — Constraint game (this locks it in)

Play points but with rules:

• You ONLY win point if:

  
  

  • you hit a forehand inside first 3 shots

    
    

    OR

  • you force error within 3 shots

• 
  

👉 This forces:

• aggressive positioning

• pattern awareness

• no passive rallying

🧠 What is “Point C” and run-around forehand?

O’Shannessy divides the court into zones.

Simplified:

• Point A = wide (sidelines)

• Point B = middle-ish

• Point C = center of the court

👉 “Point C” = the middle ball

💡 The key insight:

Most balls land in the middle (Point C)…

but most players hit backhands there.

That’s the mistake.

🔥 The winning pattern:

Run around backhand → hit forehand from the middle (Point C)

Why it works (this is the real gold)

1. Forehand is your weapon

For most players:

• forehand = stronger, more aggressive

• backhand = more neutral

So:

Same ball → different outcome depending on side

2. Middle ball = decision ball

When ball comes to center:

• opponent is not creating angle

• YOU control direction

👉 That means:

• you can go cross OR line

• opponent is guessing

3. You change geometry

By running around:

Instead of:

• backhand cross → neutral rally

You create:

• inside-out forehand

• inside-in forehand

👉 This:

• opens court

• moves opponent

• creates weak reply

4. Time pressure

Taking forehand early from middle:

• reduces opponent recovery time

• turns neutral → offensive instantly

🧠 AI/stat insight behind this

Data shows:

• majority of balls go through middle

• points are won when players attack early balls

So:

Whoever “owns the middle ball” controls the point

🎾 How to apply immediately

Next time you play:

When you see:

• ball coming slightly to your backhand side (but not wide)

👉 Ask:

“Can I step around this?”

If yes:

• hit forehand from middle

• go:

  
  

  • inside-out (safer)

  • inside-in (attack)

• 
  

⚖️ One caution (important)

Don’t overdo it.

Running around too much:

• leaves backhand side open

• good players punish that

👉 So rule:

• Do it on neutral or weak balls, not under pressure

🏁 Bottom line

• Your instinct (serve + drop drill) = already advanced

• AI tennis = pattern recognition + early decisions

• “Point C forehand” =

  
  

  turning neutral middle balls into attack opportunities

If you want, I can map this into a match play strategy (serve patterns + return positioning) tailored to your level so this shows up naturally in games.