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INSTRUCTION by ALICE TYM
SINGLES STYLES AND HOW TO PLAY AGAINST THEM
You are better off going into a match with a plan. You need a baseline to be able to change a plan if it is not working. Good players will adjust, so you must be able to adjust as well.
You certainly need to know yourself, what you can and cannot do. Good players have a weapon, and they know how to maximize that weapon. You need to be able to size up your opponents from the get-go. Where are they most consistent and where do they make errors? Do they like pace? Spin? Is their forehand angle better than yours? Are you confident in your plan when you take the court?
Singles is a running game. You want your opponent to have to run more than you do. That is the basic building block of singles strategy. If you can win in a hurry, then go for it. Otherwise, you had better be ready to outplay or outlast.
Let’ s look at four basic styles of singles play and build a strategy to play against each one. There are so many factors involved in a game plan— the players’ skill levels, age, weather conditions, court surface, players’ height, etc. You build your own plan, so it is important to start with fundamentals.
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1
Opponent THE STEADY PUSHER
This opponent has mastered the counterpunch by keeping the ball in play. She cannot hurt you by hitting winners. She just never misses. She runs down every ball. Lobs you to death. Hits high to your backhand so you are always playing defense. She gives you nothing to hit. She waits for your frustration to take over and exhaustion to set in.
Your plan should focus on your mental ability to set out for a long match. You are not going to blow her off the court.“ Precision, not power” should be your mantra. You want to keep her deep so that she must work for every point. Don’ t give her any cheap points like missed serves or returns. You have to earn each point against steady players.
Don’ t go for the lines, go for zones. Hit high and deep to her backhand then a short drop shot. What is good for the goose is also good for the other goose. Wide to the forehand then deep down the line. Make her hit on the run. If she is on the run, go to the net and force her to hit off-balance.
It is important to not rush yourself when playing a pusher. Keep the ball in play and expect it to come back. Patience is the key strategy unless you can blow her off the court in two games.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are teaching youngsters how to play, they will be rewarded by being steady players. But be sure to teach them how to rush the net and volley as well. As they become older, styles change and adult players are more adept at aggressive play. Teach a young player to be an all-round player even though early success comes from being steady.
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2
Opponent THE NET RUSHER
This player has one goal in mind: hit and rush the net. The court is small, and these players are usually tall— or at least it seems like it. Yikes! What do you do?
First, you need to keep the ball deep. Those extra steps count, so you want your opponent as far back as possible. Your serve needs some pizzazz to keep your opponent on his toes. And you need some variety, so he doesn’ t just chip and charge every ball. Your return needs to be deep and without much angle because he is looking for that approach shot to pull you off the court. Consider taking the net before he does. Take away his signature play. Since you know he is coming to the net at every opportunity, you need to stay low and on your toes, so that you can push off to set up early for a passing shot. Changing direction is crucial when you are being forced. Even if he may be the better volleyer, you probably have a better chance by taking the net first. Take him out of his comfort zone.
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