INSTRUCTION
HOW TO GET OUT OF A SLUMP
By Alice Tym
How to Get a Jump When
You’re in a Slump
Y
our quality of play is cyclical. You improve,
you play well, the ball is the size of a
volleyball, you see it well, you can hit
anything. Then gradually, and sometimes not
so gradually, it all slips away. Where did it go? How do
you get it back?
First, accept it as normal. All players have crests and
troughs in their games. You’re only as good as you are
on your worst day, so you have to manage the damage
of your worst day and not stay in a funk for any length
of time.
Second, don’t complain. It’s not the ball, the court
surface, the lights or the wind, although any of these
could be a factor. More likely they contribute to the
problem but are not the cause. For example, if you’re
not watching the ball closely, the wind will magnify your
problems. If you’re not preparing early, a fast surface can
be punishing.
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Third, you need a plan. You’re stale. Your game is
sloppy. You’re frustrated. The plan is to go back to
basics—footwork, watching the ball, early preparation.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, but that’s not enough.
Fourth, implement that plan. Work on a new shot. To
get out of a funk you need to have the same enthusiasm
you had in the beginning. When you work on a new shot,
you watch the ball closely. You get into position. You’re
eager. Problems go away.
Finally, incorporate your new shot into your game.
Experiment with a new return. Learn to lob. Drive the
third shot. Learn to drop volley. Work on a sharp angle.
You’re a better player now. You’re more versatile and
your game is on the rise once again.
Being constructive is the key to working out of a slump.
Fixing the problem is up to you. Don’t blame external
conditions. The good news is that it’s a fun and relatively
easy fix. •