To Get to the Next Level

[redtennis55]

I have been playing between levels (3.5-4.0) recently, but it seems i cannot consistently play at the 4.0 levels. I play at 4.0 when i am in the "zone." Any comments on how to get their consistently?

My coach told me about a survey which asked people what they felt like when they were in the zone. The two main responses was that they thought the ball seemed bigger, and everything seemed to be moving slower (good footwork).

I have been working on my footwork to be able to play consistently at 4.0, but i cannot keep it up. Have any of you had this problem? How did you overcome it?

[dmastous]

I have been playing between levels (3.5-4.0) recently, but it seems i cannot consistently play at the 4.0 levels. I play at 4.0 when i am in the "zone." Any comments on how to get their consistently?

My coach told me about a survey which asked people what they felt like when they were in the zone. The two main responses was that they thought the ball seemed bigger, and everything seemed to be moving slower (good footwork).

I have been working on my footwork to be able to play consistently at 4.0, but i cannot keep it up. Have any of you had this problem? How did you overcome it?
You just have to keep at it. Playing makes you better. Hitting A LOT of balls makes you better. Working on your foot work is a major part of this. I wish I had spent more time on improving my foot work as I was playing competitivly. I got by more on hand-eye coordination and as I get older my poor foot work makes me more and more inconsistant.
I found as I was progressing in ability I didn't get better gradually. It always happend suddenly, in levels. Maybe that "zone" you're talking about is the next level.
For me the "zone" is where I could swing freely and control the ball without too much thought. I could hit roll shots and deep penetrating shots at will. For me the ball didn't seem bigger, everything just seems to flow better.

[Marius_Hancu]

check this thread:

High Percentage Tennis and how to improve it
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=75292

including an exercise by Martina Navratilova I'm posting there.

[Marius_Hancu]

question yourself on this subject: am I consistently using the split-step in my movement?

if not, you have something important to look into.