Timeouts
BREAK YOUR OPPONENT’S MOMENTUM
It’s been observed by some top players that the
team that calls a timeout often gains the next point
or wins the rally. If your opponent gets a quick run of
multiple points in a row and starts taking a big lead,
that’s a good time to take a timeout. It could break
their momentum and give you a chance to come back.
Likewise, if you are leading and about to win and
your opponent is suddenly catching up to you, take
a timeout. It could give you the chance to maintain
control and win the game.
REGROUP AND STRATEGIZE
Sometimes you need time to talk to your partner
in order to regroup and strategize. It may be in order
to focus on yourself or something specific about your
opponent. For example, maybe it feels like you’re having
a balanced game. You’re experiencing long rallies and
there aren’t really any unforced errors, however, you’re
not scoring enough points and your opponent is slowly
winning. Call a timeout in order to change your strategy.
Otherwise, you may end up slowly losing the whole
game.
Another example may be that you have a significant
lead, but, all of a sudden, your opponent stops you
from winning and starts to come back. Call a timeout
and examine yourself. Have you gotten cocky or lazy?
Maybe you need to refocus, or maybe your opponent
has changed their strategy and now you need to adjust.
Remember, take this type of timeout as a moment not
only to think of how you’re losing points, but also what
you’re doing when you are winning points.
These are just examples, and you have to determine
for yourself how timeouts fit into your strategy. But it’s
worth a try at your next tournament to see if a timeout
can be the momentum shift that can get you the gold
medal! •
Special Thanks to: Dave Weinbach and Justin Rodgers
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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 |
MAGAZINE
21