3 . Know your quick fixes
Good players have fewer “ bad days .” Learn to reduce your errors and keep the ball in play longer . Here is a checklist for self-help if you are having an off day .
- Chances are , you are not watching the ball closely . Keep your eyes riveted on the ball for a crisp shot .
- Lethargic ? Go home , or prepare as if you are eager to hit the ball . Step into your shots .
- You may be looking up and shanking the ball . Keep your head down throughout the shot .
- Sluggish footwork ? Get out there and prance . Nobody becomes a top-level player imitating a slug . Move your feet in the warm-up .
- Use your follow-throughs to make your shots precise rather than ho-hum .
Don ’ t wait until you are down a game to analyze your problem . Start thinking in the warm-up .
4 . Read your opponent
In the warm-up , be sure to move the ball around so that you can read your opponent and learn his strengths and weaknesses . Hit a few lobs . Hit to his backhand . Hit some deep balls and some short balls . Is he careless on his forehand ? Does he bend on his backhand ? Develop a game plan .
The warm-up is Opportunity Central . Where does he like to serve ? Can he go back for overheads ? By the time the referee calls you to check paddles , you should have a plan and know why . That way , if you need to change the plan , you have good information .
5 . Practice combinations
You have a game , not just shots . The importance of utilizing combinations helps you and your partner . You don ’ t want to surprise your partner with random shots . Think of it as a dance . You don ’ t want your partner doing the tango while you are waltzing . Practice combinations .
For example , Player A serves down the middle expecting the return to come back up the middle rather than a wide angle . Partner of A should be ready with a plan . It is safest to go back down the middle and get to the NVZ line . If Player A serves wide to the forehand , the partner of A had better be ready to run and cover the wide ball , the down-the-line ball , the lob , and the dink . Everyone should practice moving the ball wide then down the line .
Create drills that give you the opportunity to hit to the opening . Example : Player B is returning the ball on the backhand side . He hits a sharp crosscourt to the opponent ’ s backhand . The partner of B needs to be ready to cut off the return by poaching and hitting to the center opening that B has created . Don ’ t just go with a bucket of balls and practice your serve . Combinations are more realistic .
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JULY / AUGUST 2024 | MAGAZINE 47