8.0 Mixed Teams should not allow 4.5 players

[Justagamefool]

Agree that I hear straight level play in Mixed is a desired product. There's no match for a good 4.5 guy at 8.0.
Our area always sees the best 4.5 men/3.5 women rostered teams advance. The 4.5s can dominate and the 3.5 women are either "wink, wink" 3.5s or have a serve that can't be immediately crushed, can get a few returns in play off the opposing man, and otherwise understand they aren't too get involved if the 4.5 can get a crack at a ball.

 

[J011yroger]

Agree that I hear straight level play in Mixed is a desired product. There's no match for a good 4.5 guy at 8.0.
Our area always sees the best 4.5 men/3.5 women rostered teams advanced. The 4.5s can dominate and the 3.5 women are either "wink, wink" 3.5s or have a serve that can't be immediately crushed, can get a few returns in play off the opposing man, and otherwise understand they aren't too get involved if the 4.5 can get a crack at a ball.

Don't underestimate the non-bouncing lady serve!

J

 

[Vox Rationis]

Don't underestimate the non-bouncing lady serve!

J

The bane of my existence. It's so low, it's so slow. What can you do with that monstrosity??

 

[Nostradamus]

Ideally , these teams should be mostly 4.5 women

 

[Topaz]

The bane of my existence. It's so low, it's so slow. What can you do with that monstrosity??

I see it hit into the net quite frequently...or launched 30 feet out.

 

[sovertennis]

I see it hit into the net quite frequently...or launched 30 feet out.

So you watched a couple of my mixed 8.0 matches last summer? I was the 4.5 guy doing that.

 

[J011yroger]

The bane of my existence. It's so low, it's so slow. What can you do with that monstrosity??

Get low, whip it into the doubles alley and come in behind it.

J

 

[am1899]

I also return it to the server low and short with no pace...follow it in and close. If done well, a high volley put away is all that’s left. If done poorly...well, you can probably figure out what happens then.

 

[travlerajm]

Agree that I hear straight level play in Mixed is a desired product. There's no match for a good 4.5 guy at 8.0.
Our area always sees the best 4.5 men/3.5 women rostered teams advance. The 4.5s can dominate and the 3.5 women are either "wink, wink" 3.5s or have a serve that can't be immediately crushed, can get a few returns in play off the opposing man, and otherwise understand they aren't too get involved if the 4.5 can get a crack at a ball.

I have most success in mixed not by pushing my 3.5 partner out to the alley, but by encouraging her to stay tight on the net with aggressive positioning near the center (with liberal use of Aussie formations). This way she can take up more space and make it difficult for the opponent to find a safe place to hit. I rarely hit the ball hard (aside from overheads), but rely on setting my partner up for putaways. My 3.5 partners are not necessarily on the high end of the 3.5 scale (sometimes even low 3.5), but as long as they can feel comfortable playing from an offensive net position and avoid any temptation to back off the net, they can succeed at 8.0.

 

[am1899]

Ideally , these teams should be mostly 4.5 women

It may seem like that would be the case. But IME, that pairing hinges on both a strong 4.5 female player, and a 3.5 male “ringer.” Again IME, in the opposite pairing - a male 4.5 can often ball hog and “hide” a weak 3.5 female partner. That’s not to say thats always the case. And to be sure, it can vary day to day, match up to match up.

 

[am1899]

P

I have most success in mixed not by pushing my 3.5 partner out to the alley, but by encouraging her to stay tight on the net with aggressive positioning near the center (with liberal use of Aussie formations). This way she can take up more space and make it difficult for the opponent to find a safe place to hit. I rarely hit the ball hard, but rely on setting my partner up for putaways. My 3.5 partners are not necessarily on the high end of the 3.5 scale (sometimes even low 3.5), but as long as they can feel comfortable playing from an offensive net position and avoid any temptation to back off the net, they can succeed at 8.0.

100%

 

[Vox Rationis]

Get low, whip it into the doubles alley and come in behind it.

J

See, I'm stuck at the "get low" part.

 

[Pro Kenneth]

Bend those knees, lazy people

 

[J011yroger]

See, I'm stuck at the "get low" part.

When I play 9.0 against 4.0W I stand well inside the court, feet much further than shoulder width apart, and butt down. No backswing and just a little roll cross court.

J

 

[struggle]

I prefer playing "sandbag" mixed teams (or men's teams for that matter). Brings my level up even if i don't win.

I've got better places to spend my vacation time than Mobile, Alabama.

 

[sunnyday]

I prefer playing "sandbag" mixed teams (or men's teams for that matter). Brings my level up even if i don't win.

I've got better places to spend my vacation time than Mobile, Alabama.

I just played at 7.0 mixed nationals in Mobile - thank goodness we flew through New Orleans - or there would have been nothing to do!

It seemed like all of the tougher pairs that we faced were 4.0M/"3.0"F. The 4.0 guys just put the 3.0 women about two arm lengths from the net and played singles.

 

[J011yroger]

I just played at 7.0 mixed nationals in Mobile - thank goodness we flew through New Orleans - or there would have been nothing to do!

It seemed like all of the tougher pairs that we faced were 4.0M/"3.0"F. The 4.0 guys just put the 3.0 women about two arm lengths from the net and played singles.

I had fun in Mobile, spent a couple of days in NO but it wasn't my cup of tea. The New Orleans city tennis center was AMAZING though. The greatest hard courts I've ever played on.

J

 

[MRfStop]

@schmke has probably done an analysis on this but I would imagine a strong 3.5 lady and 4.5 guy would be more likely to win state/sectionals compared to a 4.0/4.0.

I still like the idea of USTA implementing a mixed combo league.

 

[struggle]

I still like the idea of USTA implementing a mixed combo league.

Already got one. Maybe you mean they should implement a NTRP rating mixed league?

 

[MRfStop]

Already got one. Maybe you mean they should implement a NTRP rating mixed league?

Same as combo league but with men/women

 

[Vox Rationis]

@schmke has probably done an analysis on this but I would imagine a strong 3.5 lady and 4.5 guy would be more likely to win state/sectionals compared to a 4.0/4.0.

I still like the idea of USTA implementing a mixed combo league.

I'm assuming you mean with the ratings gap capped at 0.5? That might lead to a more balanced playing field but from the USTA's perspective they can't do that because it would greatly reduce the amount of leagues people can play and therefore $$$ coming in.

 

[Nostradamus]

ALL usta 4.5 guys should play Mixed 9.0 level and that is it