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DX_Psycho
04-04-2005, 06:50 PM
i'm on the high school tennis team. i had a perfect partner. good combination, communication, and roughly equal skill level. then i got switched down to a partner that i hated because he took the game too seriously. so i asked to be switched over to my friend. problem is, he's below my skill level.

so we've played a few games and i've notcied mistakes that he did.

1) he doesn't step into his hits, but away from them.
2) he runs to the balls before the opponent hits it, resulting in much back pedalling and stopping
3) he doesn't know how to hit the sweetspot
4) he dosen't catch his racquet
5) his backhand has no movement of his body whatsoever. he just turns his racquet and tries to slice it.
6) he runs in a big arc to get to balls.
7) his serve does not extend his arm. it's like a forehand that finishes towards the middle of his body.

anyways, i told him these things and he tells me he knows. i told him he can practice stepping into his hits and catching his racquet by practicing in front of a mirror but he won't do it because he thinks it won't help.

sweetspot... well.. guess there's no way to practice for that.

backhand... he just keeps on using it because he thinks he's doing it right even after i advise him not to.

i told him to wait for the person to hit the ball before moving but he can't do it.

running in an arc, he says he can't control either.

catching the racquet, he says that it doesn't provide any use so he doesn't feel like learning it. i told him that by catching the racquet he can get into ready position quicker but i'm not sure if that's correct. i just do it because everyone does it.

and he won't change his serve because he thinks it's fine and he can make it better with practice but it looks like he's going to end up hurting his arm.

is my advice good and should i just wait for him to take it some day or am i giving bad him wrong advice?

MegacedU
04-04-2005, 07:09 PM
He might not be able to help it. Old habbits die hard and we all know that. Just make sure you tell him while you're practicing - not when you're playing in a real match. Then show him what you mean and tell him what will happen for the better if he does that.

Leon
04-04-2005, 07:15 PM
I was supriced not as much by your advise, but by his replay. Seems like he doesn't want to listen to you. So, if I were you I would live him alone, and move along. You can't force someone to do something he doesn't want to.

FREDDY
04-04-2005, 07:26 PM
drop him bcuz anything would be better. lol. jk. youve got it better then me though. i play doubles and singles depending on my coach. good right? no. not when i find out 10 minutes before the game who im suppose to play with. just keep encouraging him, but if hes still gonna be butt hurt about it still then i agree with leon and just let him be.

theace21
04-04-2005, 07:32 PM
Doubles team don't always have to play the same or be of the same ability - ever watch mixed doubles? If he is steady and smart, you could probably be a little more aggressive and take some chances...If he makes a ton of errors, you will need to be super steady...I have seen some HS doubles were both players thought they could hit out on everything. A steady team kicked their $$$ everytime.

If you are having fun with your friend, work on being a good team - knowing each others strength and weaknesses.... Good Luck.

Marius_Hancu
04-04-2005, 07:38 PM
Life will tell you in time that it's difficult to ask from people more than they are willing or able to give in one area or another.

Those who can get such results against reservations are great motivators (including coaches).

nViATi
04-05-2005, 01:39 AM
if he won't accept your advice then who cares? let him be and ditch him ASAP

Marius_Hancu
04-05-2005, 04:19 AM
i'm on the high school tennis team. i had a perfect partner. good combination, communication, and roughly equal skill level. then i got switched down to a partner that i hated because he took the game too seriously. ?
Perhaps that partner considered yourself not being dedicated enough, just the way you think about your latest partner:-)

Steve H.
04-05-2005, 05:07 AM
With most people you need to be careful about giving them too much advice, especially with friends they can take it as personal criticism. If you care about your friendship, and want to strengthen your doubles team too, you might suggest practicing together. Do different drills, like crosscourt backhands. Then maybe give him one suggestion per session, and keep the rest to yourself unless he asks for help. In doubles (as in life) the main thing is to enjoy and trust each other -- using the "right" technique is less important.