ALL LEVELS by ALICE TYM
TDEALING WITH THE ELEMENTS
The overarching attitude you need in dealing with the elements is one of acceptance and incorporation. Rather than hating to play in the wind, you must make the wind your partner. Use the elements rather than ignore or reject them. They are unavoidable when playing outside. You can choose to stay at home and wait for a cloudy day, or you can put on a visor, sunglasses, and sunscreen and
add some strategy to your game.
The wind is particularly annoying to indoor players who have a multitude of precise shots. Precision goes out the window when the gusts get to 40 mph and dirt is blowing in your eyes. Being able to target the corner is risky. So, what is your new strategy? You can’ t just complain and blame the wind if you want to win the match.
First of all, there are four types of winds. Proper courts are laid out on a north / south axis. In Florida, that means you will probably have a crosswind due to the daily onshore / offshore winds. You can plan for this and learn to play this wind if you’ re going to compete in the US Open or if you live in Florida. You must allow for the added movements of the ball and play more to the center of the court. When the wind is blowing to the left of your opponents( toward their backhand side), hit the ball down the center and let it drift wide to their backhand corner.
Remember, the harder you hit the easier it is for your opponents to judge the flight of the ball. Take a little pace off of the ball and let the wind do the work for you. It requires more adjustment on their part, particularly if you loft a few balls. Drives are much easier to read. When you’ re the team drifting to the backhand court, you need to position yourselves to cover the left half of the court. Now the ball is blowing away from your backhand. You must take your paddle back early and step into the ball. Maybe you can hit it on the rise before it“ breaks.”
Hesitation and delay will allow the wind to control you. When you’ re on the side where the wind will blow into your backhand rather than away from it, you must also prepare early and perhaps step around and take the ball on your forehand. If you hit late, the wind will carry your shot wide. Aim for the center and let your new teammate, Mr. Wind, do the work for you.
Same with serves. If you serve hard, it will be easier to return. Lob a few serves. Let the wind push the ball deep into their court. Play it safe down the middle of the service court or serve into the upwind side of the court.
IN UPSTATE NEW YORK, DIANE KELLER DEALS WITH THE LOW ANGLE OF THE SUN IN OCTOBER, WINDY CONDITIONS, AND CHILLY TEMPERATURES IN LATE FALL. HER POSITIVE ATTITUDE PUTS A SMILE ON HER FACE!
Check the flags on the fence poles to get a feel for the velocity. Florida’ s crosswinds are pretty consistent.
Then there is the wind that blows north-south from one end of the court to the other. Choosing sides in these conditions is important. Are you a hitter who likes to drive the ball or are you a player who prefers to place the ball? Are you powerful enough to drive the ball into the wind? If you like to float the ball and close in tight, you want to hit with the wind. In any case, you will need to play on both sides.
When you’ re hitting with the wind, let the wind augment your serve. No need to take a chance on it drifting out. On your returns, bend your knees and stay down so that you don’ t lift the ball out. Be patient on your volleys. The wind will hold them up there. No need
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