10 Minutes of Tennis: Technique vs Tactics and When They Combine

Episode #75 Season 24: Shaun Boyce & Justin Yeo

Welcome to another exciting episode of the Atlanta Tennis Podcast! In this episode, Shaun is joined by the incredible Justin Yeo, a world-renowned tennis coach who’s currently living in Puerto Rico. Together, they dive into a topic that's crucial for every tennis player, whether you're just starting out or competing at a high level: Technique vs. Tactics.

In this conversation, Justin breaks down the difference between the two—internal thinking (technique) and external thinking (tactics)—and explores how these elements play vital roles in your performance on the court. The best part? He explains how the magic really happens when they come together.

About Justin Yeo

Justin Yeo is a world-renowned tennis coach and former professional player, widely recognized for his expertise in both technique and strategy. With years of experience coaching players of all levels, including top-ranked professionals, Justin brings a unique blend of technical precision and tactical insight to the tennis court.

Originally from Australia, Justin now resides in Puerto Rico, where he works with athletes around the world, helping them develop a winning mindset and refine their game. His coaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of mental toughness and strategic decision-making, key aspects he believes are often overlooked in traditional tennis training.

Here’s What You’ll Learn

• Technique vs. Tactics: Justin explains how technique is all about the mechanics and strokes, while tactics is your mental game—strategically reading the court, making decisions, and outsmarting your opponent. The key takeaway? Both are essential, but they need to be handled differently.
• Internal vs. External Thinking: One of the biggest insights in this episode is the distinction between internal thinking (focused on your technique) and external thinking (focused on strategy and your opponent’s movements). Knowing when to switch between these two types of thinking can make a huge difference in your game.
• The American Sports Advantage: Justin shares his perspective on why American athletes—especially in sports like football and basketball—excel in the tactical side of things. And guess what? This skill is transferable to tennis! If you’ve ever watched a basketball game and thought, "Wow, that’s tactical brilliance," Justin explains why tennis can be played the same way.
• Tactical Awareness for Social Players: If you’re a social player, you might think you don’t need to worry too much about tactics. But Justin proves otherwise. Through stories of social players using tactical thinking (even with less-than-perfect technique), he shows that you don’t need to be a pro to win matches with smart strategy.
• How to Blend Technique and Tactics: Justin offers real, actionable tips on how to seamlessly combine both solid technique and sharp tactics. He emphasizes that while technique is important during practice, match play is all about making smart, strategic decisions.

Why You’ll Want to Listen

This episode is packed with actionable insights for players of all levels—whether you’re just starting to take your game seriously, you're an intermediate player looking to refine your approach, or you're a seasoned competitor. You’ll walk away understanding how to approach each point with a tactical mindset rather than worrying about every little stroke.

And for the social player, this episode is a must-listen! You’ll realize that tactical thinking is the key to improving your match performance, often more than technical perfection.

Who Should Tune In

• Tennis players at any skill level who want to improve their strategy and decision-making on the court.
• Coaches looking for ways to integrate both technique and tactics into their training sessions.
• Social players who want to level up their game and learn how to win more matches by playing smarter.
• Tennis fans who want to understand how tactical thinking plays into the sport.

Key Takeaways from the Episode

• Technique vs. Tactics – Understand the difference and how they work together.
• External Thinking – Focus on strategy and court positioning instead of overthinking technique during the match.
• Learn how tactical awareness can give you the edge, even if your technique isn’t perfect.
• See how strategic thinking can be the difference between winning and losing in tennis.

This conversation between Shaun and Justin is a treasure trove of tennis wisdom that will help you rethink your approach to the game, whether you’re on the court for fun or competing for the win.

YouTube Replay: https://youtube.com/live/g-5BCQkko64

Shaun Boyce USPTA: [email protected]

https://tennisforchildren.com/ 🎾

Justin Yeo: https://www.instagram.com/yeocoach/

Bobby Schindler USPTA: [email protected]

https://windermerecommunity.net/ 🎾

Geovanna Boyce: [email protected]

https://regeovinate.com/ 💪🏼🏋️

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