Conversation 30/43 Controversial but…what looks like a technical problem may actually be a behavioural problem created by the practice environment. Beginners are often told: “The serve is the most important shot in tennis.” “You have to get it in to start the point.” They then step up to the baseline afraid to miss. Their movement becomes cautious, the racket slows down and they guide the ball towards a small target. A coach may immediately identify poor technique and begin correcting the action. But the movement might be an entirely functional response to the problem the player perceives: Don’t miss. Anxiety, intention and perceived consequences can all influence how a player moves. If the player believes success means carefully placing the ball into a small service box, a slow and protective action should not surprise us. So before changing the technique, change the problem. Keep the serve within tennis, but enlarge the target. Extend the service box towards the orange ba...