The Methodology Behind Hit With Intent.
Confidence, focus, and composure for the thoughtful competitor. One system, seven pillars, built so players make clear decisions under pressure instead of guessing.
The Method, In Short
Hit With Intent starts from one idea: tennis is a game of decisions, not just shots. Every rally runs through seven aligned ideas, language, intention, pattern, phase, emotion, identity, and movement, that give players a way to choose the right shot instead of guessing at it.
Between points, players run a short mental reset: label what just happened, choose what the moment requires, and commit without a second guess. It takes about five seconds, and it's the habit that separates composed players from ones who unravel after a bad game.
Most errors aren't random, either. The same handful of breakdowns show up again and again in junior and intermediate tennis, and each one has a specific, repeatable fix once you know what's actually causing it.
The two resources below go deeper: the exact drills Coach Russ uses to build this system on court, and the checklist players use to coach themselves through it.
Who this method is for
Hit With Intent was built for players talented enough to compete, but stuck the way most players get stuck: rushing decisions, forcing points before they're ready, letting one bad game spiral into a bad set. They don't need more drills. They need a way to think that holds up when the score tightens.
It's also for the coaches and parents around them. Coaches get a shared language that makes every correction land instead of overloading a young athlete with cues. Parents get a way to support their kid's tennis without adding pressure: what to say between points, what never to say after a loss, and how to reinforce the system instead of unintentionally working against it.
Athlete Development Checklist
Most programs run hundreds of drills. Hit With Intent uses ten, covering every phase of the point from the first ball to the finish. Enter your email and we'll send you the full drill guide.
On-Court Coaching Checklist
The exact checklists players use to self-coach: rally decisions, pattern choices, identity, and emotional resets, all on one page. Enter your email and we'll send it straight to your inbox.
About Coach Russ
Russ Ruffolo is the founder of Intentional Tennis Lab and a PTR, IHSA, USTA-certified coaching development professional. Hit With Intent grew out of years spent on court with junior players, watching the same breakdowns happen for the same reason: not a lack of talent, but a lack of clarity.
The system is his answer, a way for players to make clear decisions on every point instead of guessing.
Frequently asked questions
What does "hit with intent" actually mean?
Every shot gets chosen on purpose before it's hit. Instead of reacting to the ball, players decide what the moment requires, stabilize, build, press, or finish, and let that decision shape the swing.
Is this a technical program or a mental one?
Both, but it starts with decisions. Most breakdowns on court come from an unclear choice, not a broken stroke. Once a player knows what they're trying to do, the technique tends to organize itself around it.
What age or level is this for?
The system is built around junior development, but the framework scales. Beginners start with vocabulary and big targets; advanced competitors use the same language to stay composed in high-pressure matches.
How is this different from a typical lesson?
Most lessons isolate one stroke or one drill at a time. Hit With Intent trains players to recognize the moment, choose an intention, and execute a pattern, then repeats that loop until it's instinct, no matter the drill.
How do parents fit into this?
Parents aren't asked to coach. They're asked to reinforce the same language and identity the player is building on court, and to stay a calm, steady presence before and after matches instead of a source of pressure.
What Players Are Saying
Coach Russ is phenomenal. He has been working with my daughter Olivia, and the positive impact heβs had on her game is undeniable. He balances excellent technical instruction with an encouraging attitude that keeps her motivated and excited to improve. Highly recommend him to any parent looking for a top-tier tennis coach!
Coach Russ has a unique ability to meet players where they are and tailor his instruction to their individual skill level. Whether introducing a new concept or refining advanced techniques, he explains things clearly and reinforces them through demonstration, making it easy to understand and implement the lesson.
