Cindysphinx
G.O.A.T.
I had a thought-provoking exchange with a woman who plays on a 7.5 team I captain. For background, she is a 3.5, but not one of the strongest ones. I will summarize the email exchange.
I watched her play doubles last week and wrote to tell I thought she was playing really well. Given that our upcoming season is non-advancing, I took the opportunity to ask does she want a challenge (playing the toughest teams on a high court), or would she prefer to pair with a weaker partner on a lower court (or against easier opponents). I said these situations require different skill sets.
She said she didn't agree with me on that. Every time you play, you have to try to win. You can't be expected to bring different skills to the court depending on partner or court assignment, she said. You figure out your opponent's weakness and exploit it.
I said I thought these situations required different skill sets. Being the weaker player against strong opponents means you will see every ball, and they will try to isolate you. Being the stronger partner against weaker opponents means they will target your partner and you need skills to get in the point and finish points without missing too much.
She said we are really saying the same thing: You have to be an all-court player and have to bring all your skills to the court and strategize with your partner to try to win.
What do you make of this?
The thing that is weird is that I feel like I win more when my partner is as strong as me or weaker. I feel like I am good at getting into points when my opponents would prefer to target my partner. I feel like I crumble when my opponents are hammering at me to get the win because my partner is stronger. But maybe everyone doesn't approach it that way?
I watched her play doubles last week and wrote to tell I thought she was playing really well. Given that our upcoming season is non-advancing, I took the opportunity to ask does she want a challenge (playing the toughest teams on a high court), or would she prefer to pair with a weaker partner on a lower court (or against easier opponents). I said these situations require different skill sets.
She said she didn't agree with me on that. Every time you play, you have to try to win. You can't be expected to bring different skills to the court depending on partner or court assignment, she said. You figure out your opponent's weakness and exploit it.
I said I thought these situations required different skill sets. Being the weaker player against strong opponents means you will see every ball, and they will try to isolate you. Being the stronger partner against weaker opponents means they will target your partner and you need skills to get in the point and finish points without missing too much.
She said we are really saying the same thing: You have to be an all-court player and have to bring all your skills to the court and strategize with your partner to try to win.
What do you make of this?
The thing that is weird is that I feel like I win more when my partner is as strong as me or weaker. I feel like I am good at getting into points when my opponents would prefer to target my partner. I feel like I crumble when my opponents are hammering at me to get the win because my partner is stronger. But maybe everyone doesn't approach it that way?