What is your quirk?

[Loose Cannon]

Originally Posted by Cindysphinx

LooseCannon, I don't know what your problem is, but you are kind of new around these parts so I will fill you in.

I am a computer-rated 4.0, and this is my first season at that level. (It's going OK, thanks for asking). My serve is pretty strong for 4.0, mostly because I rely on spin rather than pace. Part of what makes my serve a bit stronger than some others of my level is that I am not going to knowingly chase a bad toss.

I have a terrific topspin moonball off of both wings. It is a weapon, for sure. I have had 4.0 men praise this shot. Definitely a useful shot at 4.0.

I used to have some violent toss yips. My previous pro helped with this a lot. He gave me a ball-bouncing routine. Most of all, he told me to make sure I toss slowly with a locked elbow. When I find my toss going off (such that I have to catch 1-2), I focus on that and can usually fix things. Problems are usually elbow-related.

Thanks for the hospitality, C-sphinx!


Sure hope you can iron out these mental kinks so you can realize your potential at 4.0. You must have an awesome all around game.......because moonballs and unreliable serve(tosses) would get you a pretty quick exit off the court vs decent 4.0s. Are you a Super Senior?

[floridatennisdude]

Originally Posted by Loose Cannon

Thanks for the hospitality, C-sphinx!


Sure hope you can iron out these mental kinks so you can realize your potential at 4.0. You must have an awesome all around game.......because moonballs and unreliable serve(tosses) would get you a pretty quick exit off the court vs decent 4.0s. Are you a Super Senior?

Cannon, go back to the original post. This thread was started for us to look in the mirror at our own quirks. There are plenty of threads where folks bi&@h about what drives them nuts. That would be the place to complain about others.

What do you do, specifically, that would probably annoy an opponent?

[Cindysphinx]

Originally Posted by michael_1265

"Annoying" was probably a bad word choice. "Disruptive" would more accurately convey what I was trying to say.

I'm not trying to be contentious, and I'm certainly not looking for a fight.

My point is just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

I understand. I am not looking for a fight with you either.

Bottom line is this. I stand there trying to hit a good serve. The toss is too low, too far in front, too far behind, too far to the side.

What would you have me do?

It sounds like many people think bad tosses are willful. They are not. They are unintentional.

When my opponents toss multiple times, they often say, "Sorry." I reply, "No problem," or "Take your time."

Doesn't that sound like how rec players should treat each other? I mean, think about it. There probably aren't many here who are above 4.5. That means we are good rec players, but compared to the pros, we *stink.* Yet some are worried that the precious timing of their precious return will be destroyed if their opponent catches some tosses?

Rather than get annoyed or get disrupted, maybe we should get over ourselves already and have some understanding that our opponent (who stinks as much as we do) is struggling with her toss.

[Cindysphinx]

Originally Posted by Loose Cannon

Thanks for the hospitality, C-sphinx!


Sure hope you can iron out these mental kinks so you can realize your potential at 4.0. You must have an awesome all around game.......because moonballs and unreliable serve(tosses) would get you a pretty quick exit off the court vs decent 4.0s. Are you a Super Senior?

I am 51, so I am playing my second year as a senior (last year 3.5, this year 4.0). I also play 4.0 adult, 7.5 ladies combo, 7.5 and 8.0 mixed. In the fall, I hope to join an 8.5 ladies combo.

My serve is not unreliable. My tosses can be unreliable, depending on nerves and playing conditions.

Decent 4.0s, male and female, can be rattled pretty badly by well-timed topspin moonballs over their BH wing. You should learn how to hit one; it will pay big dividends.

There. That's enough about me. Since we are doing bios, tell us about your level and game. It must extra super-awesome!!

[tennis tom]

Originally Posted by Cindysphinx

My tosses can be unreliable, depending on nerves and playing conditions.

For a reliable ball toss eliminate the variables.

*Start the toss with the top of the palm touching the inner thigh to center the body's balance beginning the coordination chain for the toss.

*Palm facing up, opening the chest.

*Wrist locked.

*Straight arm, elbow locked.

*At full arm toss extension, shoulder touches chin for complete range of motion.

*Place the ball in front of the racket, tossing to 1 o'clock for a first serve, above the head to 12 o'clock for a 2'nd serve. (If the ball goes into the net, the toss is too far in front, if serve goes long it is too far back).

*Now practice hitting a million serves.

[dlk]

No quirks here. I'm a very superstitious/ritualistic person, but do none during tennis, that I'm aware of. I do have a friend, who likes all three balls (in doubles) and only uses one side of his stick for superstitious reasons

[Tar Heel Tennis]

Originally Posted by floridatennisdude

Cannon,
What do you do, specifically, that would probably annoy an opponent?

He posts on TT

[F L O B B E R]

I'm guilty of focussing on Cindy's toss issues instead of answering the OP's reason for this thread... (seriously Cindy - work more on that toss so that your bad tosses are "rare")...

I guess my quirks include scolding myself in the 3rd person when I do something stupid, and I immediately look at/adjust my strings after each point. I also like to hand the balls to my opponent on changeovers instead of leaving them on the court.

I also notice that I tend to compliment my opponents on nice shots a lot more than I get complimented...not sure if that means I'm a better sport than most or that I don't hit many good shots. =p

[jswinf]

Originally Posted by Fuji

Want to know your quirk? Video tape yourself playing and you will find it!

-Fuji

Don't want to know that bad.

By the way, I hearby declare that Cindy's toss problem is not an official "quirk," it is a technique issue. If she liked to do 3 or 4 tosses all the time just for the heck of it, that would be a quirk, but such is obviously not the case. So enough about it.

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by msweigert08

I pick my wedgie, smell it, then fix my hair behind my ears.

Do you also line up your Gatorade bottles in a row?

[sureshs]

Both FFing and catching the toss repeatedly and frequently are cheating.

It has happened to me only once (in doubles) when an older gentleman caught the toss about 5 times before serving, on his very first serve. The other 3 of us just waited politely and said nothing. He did not repeat it again.

[floridatennisdude]

Originally Posted by sureshs

Both FFing and catching the toss repeatedly and frequently are cheating.

It has happened to me only once (in doubles) when an older gentleman caught the toss about 5 times before serving, on his very first serve. The other 3 of us just waited politely and said nothing. He did not repeat it again.

Ok, those are rules issues.

What are some of your rituals or nuances?

[Loose Cannon]

Originally Posted by floridatennisdude

Cannon, go back to the original post. This thread was started for us to look in the mirror at our own quirks. There are plenty of threads where folks bi&@h about what drives them nuts. That would be the place to complain about others.

What do you do, specifically, that would probably annoy an opponent?

Not make small talk with opponents at any point.......

When i hit my signature shot......my Top Spin Lob off of a full Ground stroke swing......I tend to keep my pose froze and glare back......kind of like a Barry Bonds or Will Clark home run Stance.......it gets hit so clean and freezes the opponent....I do find myself posing......I know its all cool if you are the one doing it.....I wouldnt think it was so cool if I was getting glared at after they hit a Winner on me

[Loose Cannon]

Originally Posted by Tar Heel Tennis

He posts on TT

You are confusing the terms 'opponents'.....and 'victims'

[Loose Cannon]

Originally Posted by Cindysphinx

I am 51, so I am playing my second year as a senior (last year 3.5, this year 4.0). I also play 4.0 adult, 7.5 ladies combo, 7.5 and 8.0 mixed. In the fall, I hope to join an 8.5 ladies combo.

My serve is not unreliable. My tosses can be unreliable, depending on nerves and playing conditions.

Decent 4.0s, male and female, can be rattled pretty badly by well-timed topspin moonballs over their BH wing. You should learn how to hit one; it will pay big dividends.

There. That's enough about me. Since we are doing bios, tell us about your level and game. It must extra super-awesome!!

I assure you I can hit 'Moonballs' that would bounce near the baseline and jump over you. I feel guilty doing in mixed.....as quite a few women are short....5'6 and under. If one is 5'2....they would hate me. I use ALOT of topspin. I dont call them Moonballs.....just alot of TS 'loopers' and they can put the defender closer to the fence than the baseline.


Didnt mean to offend you.....I just cant picture someone having that consistent an issue of a basic fundamental. I mean.....when you said 4-5 times sometimes......you didnt think someone may find that odd or unnacceptable......esp. given your 'Oh Well' demeanor.

YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!!!!! - Mike Singletary

[JMcQ]

Originally Posted by Loose Cannon

Im sorry.....you will never convince me that someone that takes 3-5 tosses.....multiple times a service game......is not the level they claim....

Good. Then we are in agreement.

Also...you...should...know..........that.....Mike. ..Singletary.....didn't...say...that...,...it...wa s...Herm....Edwards....

[CaldwellYSR]

Originally Posted by JMcQ

Good. Then we are in agreement.

Also...you...should...know..........that.....Mike. ..Singletary.....didn't...say...that...,...it...wa s...Herm....Edwards....

Beat me to it!

[michael_1265]

Originally Posted by Cindysphinx

I understand. I am not looking for a fight with you either.

Bottom line is this. I stand there trying to hit a good serve. The toss is too low, too far in front, too far behind, too far to the side.

What would you have me do?

It sounds like many people think bad tosses are willful. They are not. They are unintentional.

When my opponents toss multiple times, they often say, "Sorry." I reply, "No problem," or "Take your time."

Doesn't that sound like how rec players should treat each other? I mean, think about it. There probably aren't many here who are above 4.5. That means we are good rec players, but compared to the pros, we *stink.* Yet some are worried that the precious timing of their precious return will be destroyed if their opponent catches some tosses?

Rather than get annoyed or get disrupted, maybe we should get over ourselves already and have some understanding that our opponent (who stinks as much as we do) is struggling with her toss.

Point taken. Yes, the limitations of our tennis should be taken into account and we should be tolerant. I am, and I always have been. We might be visualizing two entirely different circumstances.

If I looked across the net, and my opponent was clearly having a bad day, I would be the last person to push the multiple toss issue. I know how the yips can be .

On the other hand, if my opponent was CONSISTENTLY tossing 3-4 times per serve, and then smoking the actual serve, there begins to be a problem. I am diagnosed ADD (not "I'm so ADD", the real thing). Finding and maintaining focus and staying in the moment are a huge challenge. My "get ready to receive" routine is very regimented:
1. Server is ready; make eye contact. Focus!
2. Drop into the ready stance. (Look at that Seagull on the fence......)
3. The toss goes up (thinking "ball, ball, ball" just to keep myself in the present. That guy on the next court has a really nice Head Prestige........)
4. Start moving forward (still actively thinking about the ball; don't lose focus. That car driving by really needs a new fan belt...... )
5. Toss goes up; split step, bounce on balls of feet, eyes locked on ball, don't lose focus. (That is a really interesting crack in the court....)
6. Hopefully, hit the damn thing somewhere inside the lines.

Keeping focus during the point is easy, at least for me. Starting the point is the challenge.

In a long singles match, this alone can be tiring. Now, I have to do it 3-4 times per point? So, legal as it may be, I'm reluctant to let someone wear me out with what might be a calculated tactic (I'm speaking in the hypothetical, and not commenting on your particular situation, which you have explained). So, if I think my opponent is gaining an advantage by making multiple tosses, I need to decide if I'm just going to let it happen, or take some action to see if I can discourage the behavior. If the person is having a really hard time with the toss, there is probably not much I can do. If it is a tactic (or a habit), maybe some borderline behavior on my part stamps it out. Either way, the match probably isn't going to be much fun for either of us.

So help me Cindy, if I ever make it to sectionals, face one of your teams, and they start doing this to me, just remember that I have read Winning Ugly multiple times from cover to cover and I have no shame......

[Loose Cannon]

props to the 2 fellas that correctedf me,,,,,,,, not sure why i changed it......but singletary said I WANT WINNERS

[TomT]

Originally Posted by floridatennisdude

So, plenty of people on these boards are quick to point out what drives them nuts. So, let's take a moment to look in the mirror.
----------------------
What is one of your quirks or habits during a match that might seem odd to an opponent?
----------------------
For me, I always want all 3 tennis balls on my side. I do this because I have a mental habit of never serving with the same ball twice in a row. For example, if a ball is used during one point, it gets put back at the fence, the ball that was at the fence goes in my pocket and the ball that was in my pocket becomes my 1st serve ball.

No one has ever really directly complained to me about it, but I am upfront on my first service game that I'd like all three. I would assume that my process might make people believe that I am slowing down play, but that is actually not why I do it. Although, it does give me a few seconds to catch my breath.

I don't think I have any really annoying quirks or habits during matches. Your quirk wouldn't annoy me at all. I'm 65 and any break in the action is welcomed.