Steal Laver Cup huddle cues for hold-after-hold serving

Why this matters now

Laver Cup week delivers something rare in tennis: mic’d bench huddles with clear, simple, repeatable cues. For 2025, broadcast windows for those segments are confirmed, rosters and sessions are set, and practices are on air. That gives you a real-time masterclass in short, actionable scripts that help pros hold under pressure.

This playbook translates that bench language into three things you can run today:

• A 15-second serve routine that fits the clock and travels under stress.
• A two-call serve menu that collapses indecision and speeds commitment.
• A 3-ball hold plan drill using a timer and a target mat so you can rehearse the exact sequence you will use at 30-30.

I coach and write for OffCourt. I love these weeks because the best cues are short, specific, and easy to train. Like stride cues before a 1500-meter start, the words you use shape the movement you get. Let’s build your bench-ready package.

What bench huddles actually teach

When you listen closely, huddles are not long speeches. They are micro-stacks of decisions and cues:

• Situation: score, matchup, weather, crowd.
• Choice: location first, shape second.
• Trigger: one or two words to enforce the action.
• Next ball: where the plus-one goes if the return comes back.

The magic is speed. You hear 8 to 15 seconds of talk, then play. You can steal that pace on your serve.

Huddle rule: say less, mean more. Location before shape. One cue to move the body. One plan for the next ball.

Build your 15-second serve routine

A routine is only useful if it fits the clock, survives nerves, and directs your eyes and body to the right places. Here is a huddle-inspired 15-second script.

The 4-phase 15-second script

• Seconds 0-3: Scan and decide

  • Eyes: quick scan of returner position, wind, and your target mat in the box.
  • Decision: choose location first, shape second. Example: T then slice. That is your two-call.
  • Cue: one word that drives the body action. Example: “loose” for arm, “lift” for kick, “through” for flat.

• Seconds 4-6: Breath and reset

  • One deep nasal inhale, slow mouth exhale.
  • Let the shoulders drop. Shake the hand once. This is your pressure release.

• Seconds 7-10: Feet set and rhythm

  • Two bounces. Look at your target mat. Bounce count is your metronome. Keep it consistent.
  • Feel the toss window with your eyes, not your head. Quiet head, soft jaw.

• Seconds 11-15: Commit and go

  • Whisper your two-call once. Example: “T slice.”
  • Say the cue on the exhale. Example: “through.”
  • Toss and hit. No extra thinking. No extra bounce.

Coaching cue: If you miss long or wide, do not change the whole plan. Keep the two-call. Adjust toss height or knee load by 5 percent. Same words, slightly different feel.

Timer standards and practice build-in

• Use a visible timer or a phone app set to 15-second beeps. When it beeps, your toss goes up.
• Do 3 sets of 8 first serves on the beep. Rest 60 seconds between sets. Track make rate and target hits.
• Then add 2 sets of 10 second serves on a 12-second beep. Same rules.
• OffCourt note: log make rate, target hit rate, and routine drift notes between sets. If bounce count or breath disappears under fatigue, write it down.

The two-call serve menu

A two-call menu forces clarity: location first, shape second. You remove the mid-bounce debate that kills speed and confidence.

Design the menu

• Locations: T, Body, Wide.
• Shapes: Flat, Slice, Kick.
• Two-call examples: T Slice, Body Flat, Wide Kick.

Rules of thumb:

• First serve default: T Slice or Body Flat on deuce, T Slice or Wide Flat on ad, unless the matchup calls for change.
• Second serve default: Body Kick or Wide Kick to jam or pull out.
• Pressure flip: at 30-30 and down ad, stay with location that wins you court shape, not just raw pace. T Slice often opens the middle for a forehand plus-one.

One-word cue pack

Choose one word that drives the body segment that matters for the shape.

• Flat: “through” or “high elbow.” Emphasize racquet speed through contact and a higher elbow path.
• Slice: “side” or “brush.” Think around-the-ball feeling to create lateral axis spin.
• Kick: “lift” or “climb.” Feel up-the-back contact and chest up.

Do not stack more than one cue. The two-call already carries the tactic. The cue carries the movement.

On-court communication

College and team events allow direct signals. Juniors often cannot be coached during points. Either way, use clean triggers.

• Hand signals for doubles: fist for Body, index finger for T, pinky for Wide. Palm up for Flat, slice motion for Slice, two taps on shoulder for Kick.
• Solo triggers in singles: a quick look at the target mat, then your whisper two-call. That is enough.

OffCourt tip: create a laminated serve menu card with your four favorite two-calls per side. Keep it in your bag. Review at changeovers.

The 3-ball Hold Plan Drill

This is your game-ready, Laver-style rep. You practice the exact sequence you will use to hold at 30-30.

Equipment:

• A timer visible from the baseline.
• One target mat or a 1x1 meter towel placed as your primary target.
• Optional cones to mark plus-one lanes.

Setup targets:

• Deuce side: place mat on T corner for T Slice or on wide alley for Wide Kick.
• Ad side: mirror targets.
• Mark a 2x2 meter lane deep middle for the plus-one neutral ball if the return comes back.

Protocol:

• Format: 5 sets, each set is 3-point mini-game. Total 15 points.
• Start each set at 30-30. Alternate deuce and ad starts each set.
• Timer: 15-second beep. Serve must start by the beep. If late, point counts as a double fault.

Point script per set:

1. Serve 1 with two-call of your choice. If unreturned, point won. If returned, your plus-one goes to your pre-declared lane. Rally ends on first error.
2. Serve 2 repeats same two-call to press the pattern. You can change shape if the returner adjusted.
3. Serve 3 is a second serve under the same timing. Choose your safety two-call. Execute the plus-one if needed.

Scoring:

• 2 points or more in a set equals a hold. 1 or less equals a break.
• Goal: 4 holds out of 5 sets for top juniors and college players. 3 out of 5 for developing players.

Reps, sets, rest:

• Perform 5 sets. Rest 90 seconds between sets. Use the break to log two items: two-call used and whether target was hit.
• Run 2 rounds of the drill per session for 30 total points. Rest 3 minutes between rounds.

Cues:

• Say the two-call once, cue once, then hit. No extra talk.
• Eyes to target mat, not to the returner.

Progressions:

• Add a live returner who shifts position after the first point. You must decide whether to stay or change the second two-call.
• Shrink the mat to 0.75x0.75 meters for accuracy day.
• Tie-break mode: run the drill for 7-point tiebreak, same rules.

Live-scout checklist for changeovers

Bench huddles are built from quick, clean observations. Use this checklist. Keep it to 60 seconds.

Location reads:

• Deuce: Did Wide draw a forehand run or a blocked backhand?
• Ad: Does T force a backhand chip or a full swing?

Shape tolerance:

• Flat first ball landing depth is safe or streaky?
• Slice starting wide then sliding back to the line works or floats?
• Kick above shoulder causes a high contact or gets taken early?

Returner habits:

• Steps in on second serves at 30-30 yes or no?
• Backhand block more often cross or middle?
• Forehand on-the-rise or loop?

Score patterns:

• First serve percentage at 30-30 and down ad.
• Points won when opening T vs Wide in last 3 games.

Decision for next two games:

• Two primary two-calls by side. Example: Deuce T Slice, Ad Body Kick.
• One cue word to lock the movement.

OffCourt tracking: use a simple serve chart with 8 boxes per side and a check for pressure points. Do not overcollect. Only pattern and cue.

Simple test: 12-point Hold-Under-Clock

Run this test at the end of week 1 and week 2 to measure if the routine and menu stick.

• Format: 4 sets of the 3-ball Hold Plan Drill. Total 12 points.
• Timer: 15-second beep. Toss by the beep.
• Targets: place mats on your two primary targets per side.

Pass standards:

• Elite college readiness: 3 holds or more, 65 percent target hits, 70 percent first serves in.
• Competitive junior target: 2 holds or more, 55 percent target hits, 65 percent first serves in.

If you fail the target hit rate but pass holds, keep the menu and adjust cues. If you pass targets but fail holds, your plus-one lane is the problem. Rehearse plus-one neutral to deep middle.

Two-week microcycle to install the package

This microcycle fits an in-season block. It uses serve days and lighter return days to manage load. Think of it like a runner’s week with two quality sessions and controlled strides between.

Week 1

• Day 1 - Install and accuracy

  • Warm up: 8 minutes dynamic, shoulder series, 10 shadow serves.
  • Routine build: 3x8 first serves on 15-second beeps. Rest 60 seconds. Track make and targets.
  • Second serves: 2x10 on 12-second beeps. Cue “lift.”
  • Drill: 1 round of 5 sets of the 3-ball Hold Plan Drill. Rest 90 seconds per set.
  • Plus-one: 3x6 forehand depth to deep middle lane. Rest 45 seconds.
  • Notes: log two-calls that felt automatic.

• Day 2 - Return and light movement

  • Returns: 6x6 blocks alternating deuce/ad. Focus on depth lanes.
  • Footwork: 3x20 seconds split-drop-rhythm with serve toss visual. Rest 40 seconds.
  • Mobility and band work. No max serves.

• Day 3 - Pressure and decision

  • Warm up: same as Day 1.
  • Routine under pressure: 2x6 first serves with a partner calling last-second location changes inside your menu. Still on 15-second beep.
  • Drill: 2 rounds of 5 sets of the 3-ball Hold Plan Drill. Live returner in round 2.
  • Tie-break finishing: 1 tiebreak to 7 with serve only points. Serve every point with a declared two-call.
  • Conditioning: 6x15 second court strides, 45 seconds walk. Keep it crisp, like pre-race strides.

• Day 4 - De-load and scout

  • Film 20 serves. Run the live-scout checklist on yourself. Identify returner-type that bothers you and the two-calls that fix it.
  • Light med ball: 3x8 overhead toss to feel “lift.”

• Day 5 - Competitive rehearsal

  • Match play: 2 sets of practice with serve focus. You must announce the two-call before every serve.
  • Between games: use the checklist for 60 seconds.
  • End with 1 round of the 12-point Hold-Under-Clock test.

• Day 6 - Strength and mobility

  • Lower body strength 40 minutes moderate, scapular control 15 minutes. No max serving.

• Day 7 - Off or light feel

  • 15 minutes of shadow serves and plus-one footwork. Breath work 5 minutes.

Week 2

• Day 8 - Accuracy plus small targets

  • First serves: 3x8 on 15-second beeps at 0.75x0.75 meter mats. Rest 60 seconds.
  • Second serves: 2x12 with “lift” cue. Track kick height.
  • Drill: 1 round of the 3-ball Hold Plan Drill with live returner.

• Day 9 - Return and speed

  • Returns: 5x8 with coach varying shapes. Focus on split timing.
  • Speed microdose: 5-5-5 acceleration set. Five meter, five meter, five meter with walkback. Two sets.

• Day 10 - Decision speed

  • Call delay: partner calls the second part of the two-call at 6 seconds on the clock. You keep location, they choose shape. Forces calm commitment.
  • Drill: 2 rounds of 5 sets of the 3-ball Hold Plan Drill. Round 2 is tiebreak mode.

• Day 11 - Recovery and cue audit

  • 25 minutes easy bike or jog. Breath ladder 4-6-8 counts. Review cue words. Drop any that felt fuzzy.

• Day 12 - Competitive plus constraints

  • Practice match. Constraint: at 30-30 you must use the same two-call twice in a row. Train your stubbornness.
  • Between-set video check of toss height and bounce count.

• Day 13 - Test day

  • Run the 12-point Hold-Under-Clock test. Record outcomes.
  • If standards improve, lock the routine. If not, change one thing only: either the cue or the two-call, not both.

• Day 14 - Off or mobility

  • Light shoulder care. Visualization of the routine. Two mental reps per side with breath and whisper.

OffCourt planning: use the microcycle template to schedule serve days like you would long-run and interval days. Do not max out serve volume on back-to-back days. Keep second serves high volume on lighter days.

Common errors and quick fixes

• Error: adding a third thought before the toss.

  • Fix: two-call and one cue only. Say them once, then go.

• Error: changing location after a miss instead of adjusting shape.

  • Fix: keep the location. Shift shape or height. Example: T Flat to T Slice.

• Error: eyes drift to returner, not the target.

  • Fix: place the mat and stare at the front edge of the mat on the last bounce.

• Error: slow routine under pressure.

  • Fix: keep the beep. Toss goes up by the beep. Practice late in sessions when tired.

• Error: plus-one overhits into corners.

  • Fix: default plus-one to deep middle. Win time and court, then pick a side on ball two.

Bench-script examples you can steal

Short, clean, and rhythmic. Use these between games.

• Deuce plan: “He is sitting wide. Go T Slice. Cue is through. Plus-one deep middle.”
• Ad plan: “Backhand chip is short. Body Kick twice. Cue is lift. Look for forehand middle.”
• Weather plan: “Toss is drifting. Keep T Slice. Cue is side. Two bounces then go.”
• Pressure plan: “Same call even at 30-30. T Slice. Through. If back, first ball middle.”

I have used these scripts courtside with juniors and in college duals. The best servers do not get fancy at 30-30. They get specific, fast, and stubborn.

Quick FAQ

• What if the returner crowds inside the baseline on second serve?

  • Slide the location to Body Kick or T Kick. Keep the cue “lift.” Add a tighter plus-one to deep middle.

• What if wind is heavy into my toss?

  • Lower the toss 5 percent and favor Slice into the wind. Keep T location so shape blows back in.

• How many two-calls should I carry into a match?

  • Four per side is plenty. Have a fifth in reserve if a matchup requires it.

Final checklist and next steps

Checklist for your bag and mind:

• Two-call menu card with four calls per side.
• One cue word per shape that you actually feel.
• Target mat or towel for daily serve work.
• Timer or phone with a 15-second beep.
• OffCourt log ready for make rate, target hits, and routine drift notes.

On-court next steps for this week:

1. Print your two-call menu and choose your cue words.
2. Run Day 1 of the microcycle and build the 15-second routine on the beep.
3. Install the 3-ball Hold Plan Drill with mats in two locations.
4. Use the live-scout checklist in your next practice set.
5. Finish week 1 with the 12-point Hold-Under-Clock test. Adjust only one variable.

Hold-after-hold serving is not magic. It is a clean menu, a short script, and a stubborn plan you rehearse until it feels like a pre-race stride. Keep the words tight. Keep the timing honest. Let the pattern win you the game.