Sum is less than the parts

[beltsman]

Does anyone else have the problem of the sum being less than the parts? Stroke wise, that is.

I feel like my game is disjointed and doesn't fit well together. I'm not sure how to fix it without a retooling. I'll give a rundown:
- Serve is okay. First serve can be a weapon. Second serve is reliable but does no damage, just rolling in.
- Serve return is usually a chip on first serve. Second serve, try to be aggressive on FH, usually chip on BH.
- In rallies:
- Look to be aggressive with FH side to side. I play with spin and like to move my opponent left and right to create angles and openings. I don't try to overpower with pace. Therefore, it takes a few shots to build a point. But typically every FH I hit is aggressive.
- On BH, I can hit aggressively when I have a ball in my strike zone with time to set up (1HBH). Can hit vicious angles. But, it's a glass cannon. Under any pressure I resort to my slice, which is a good slice but nothing amazing. Slice often falls short, putting me on the defensive.
- I am typically bad at the net. But, I have good drop shots and enjoy making my opponents run forward.

Overall, in my ideal world (besides smacking winners every shot), I run my opponent side to side all day long, hitting some winners but mostly forcing errors, with some drop shots sprinkled in. The problem is my BH and return of serve. Both of which I slice/chip under pressure, immediately putting me on the defensive. I can be aggressive in ideal conditions off BH and return, but otherwise it is a slice. My opponents often come in after recognizing this. A good net player can kill me. I can hit nice passing shots, but the constant pressure disrupts my game. My problem is I enjoy building rallies off my FH, but as soon as I need to hit my BH out of position, I am extremely vulnerable. Plus my chipping ROS.

I know the ultimate solution: improve my rallying BH, don't chip on return, etc etc. I

This thread is moreso for people who feel like the sum of their game is less than the parts to vent. It's frustrating, because I feel like I have a good arsenal, but it just doesn't fit well together. I can lose to one dimensional players who can only do one thing well, while I can do a few things but they don't really mesh.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Does anyone else have the problem of the sum being less than the parts? Stroke wise, that is.

I feel like my game is disjointed and doesn't fit well together. I'm not sure how to fix it without a retooling. I'll give a rundown:
- Serve is okay. First serve can be a weapon. Second serve is reliable but does no damage, just rolling in.
- Serve return is usually a chip on first serve. Second serve, try to be aggressive on FH, usually chip on BH.
- In rallies:
- Look to be aggressive with FH side to side. I play with spin and like to move my opponent left and right to create angles and openings. I don't try to overpower with pace. Therefore, it takes a few shots to build a point. But typically every FH I hit is aggressive.
- On BH, I can hit aggressively when I have a ball in my strike zone with time to set up (1HBH). Can hit vicious angles. But, it's a glass cannon. Under any pressure I resort to my slice, which is a good slice but nothing amazing. Slice often falls short, putting me on the defensive.
- I am typically bad at the net. But, I have good drop shots and enjoy making my opponents run forward.

Overall, in my ideal world (besides smacking winners every shot), I run my opponent side to side all day long, hitting some winners but mostly forcing errors, with some drop shots sprinkled in. The problem is my BH and return of serve. Both of which I slice/chip under pressure, immediately putting me on the defensive. I can be aggressive in ideal conditions off BH and return, but otherwise it is a slice. My opponents often come in after recognizing this. A good net player can kill me. I can hit nice passing shots, but the constant pressure disrupts my game. My problem is I enjoy building rallies off my FH, but as soon as I need to hit my BH out of position, I am extremely vulnerable. Plus my chipping ROS.

I know the ultimate solution: improve my rallying BH, don't chip on return, etc etc. I

This thread is moreso for people who feel like the sum of their game is less than the parts to vent. It's frustrating, because I feel like I have a good arsenal, but it just doesn't fit well together. I can lose to one dimensional players who can only do one thing well, while I can do a few things but they don't really mesh.

With the exception of the short slice, it sounds like you have quite a solid game, one that would give many players fits, especially the aggressive types prone to over-hitting.

Chipping the first serve return is not a bad thing per se: the advantage is with the server so if you can neutralize that and get the point started, you've done your job. Look how often Wawrinka chips the return. Or Federer.

I don't see the mesh problem: I see your various elements working in harmony.

Working on strengths is great but if your on-the-run BH is costing you matches, then I'd focus on that.

How is your footwork? Is it better on the FH side than the BH? If so, you need to figure out why.

Work on getting feeds that put you into progressively more difficult positions. Start easy and work on getting depth; that's it. No hero stuff.

It sounds like if you can shore up this one element, the pressure will then be on the opponent to find another weakness.

Also, try shifting your ready position a bit towards your BH: that will allow you to hit more FHs [how is your run around FH?]. Yes, you'll be giving up some FH real estate but you don't seem to have a problem with the FH side so change the terms of engagement a bit.

Look how Ian at Essential Tennis deals with an aggressive opponent using only slice on his BH:

 

[pencilcheck]

I don't think this is a problem, you just need to adapt to your opponent, since not everyone can capitalize on your weakness, sometimes your weakness might be perfect attack at their weakness instead.

 

[IowaGuy]

Sometimes in match play, you're only as good as your weaker shot - especially against a good player who can capitalize on your weakness.

The exception to this is if you have a real weapon that can force your opponent into playing "your game." Otherwise, you're probably playing "his game."

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Sometimes in match play, you're only as good as your weaker shot - especially against a good player who can capitalize on your weakness.

The exception to this is if you have a real weapon that can force your opponent into playing "your game." Otherwise, you're probably playing "his game."

That raises the age-old question of whether I spend more time honing my strengths or shoring up my weaknesses.

I used to be completely in the "shoring up" school but I've shifted my thinking over time. Now, I think "shore up...to a point and then switch to your strengths".

 

[beltsman]

With the exception of the short slice, it sounds like you have quite a solid game, one that would give many players fits, especially the aggressive types prone to over-hitting.

Chipping the first serve return is not a bad thing per se: the advantage is with the server so if you can neutralize that and get the point started, you've done your job. Look how often Wawrinka chips the return. Or Federer.

I don't see the mesh problem: I see your various elements working in harmony.

Working on strengths is great but if your on-the-run BH is costing you matches, then I'd focus on that.

How is your footwork? Is it better on the FH side than the BH? If so, you need to figure out why.

Work on getting feeds that put you into progressively more difficult positions. Start easy and work on getting depth; that's it. No hero stuff.

It sounds like if you can shore up this one element, the pressure will then be on the opponent to find another weakness.

Also, try shifting your ready position a bit towards your BH: that will allow you to hit more FHs [how is your run around FH?]. Yes, you'll be giving up some FH real estate but you don't seem to have a problem with the FH side so change the terms of engagement a bit.

Look how Ian at Essential Tennis deals with an aggressive opponent using only slice on his BH:

Thanks. I think I may have made a better post if I kept it simpler. I could say that my FH is build for extended point-building, while my BH is building for first strike tennis and not rallying. I think that sums up the problem!