Advice on how manage to get hitting practice!!!

[Oldracquet27]

I am a very active tennis player. I already have a list of people that seem to be also interested a lot, i manage to play sometimes with them, but the scheduling is a nightmare! even with those that are really interested in the game it looks like is difficult to be steady about practice sessions, they replied texts late, etc. etc. I like to have a quick response and organize my days ahead of time as much as possible.....

I want to hit more with people and stop playing matches and ball machine, but it is sosoo fustrating! and here i am again registering for a lot of flex leagues again, but the thing is in competition i feel i don't focus well on adjusting and improving technique , is a human thing even if i try i don't want to lose and might revert to old patterns or not go for my shot.

How do you manage finding practice when you need it?

 

[Giannis]

To answer your main question, i get consistent practice by taking lessons at a tennis club(50 euros/month for 5h/week). Don't abandon matches though, because you might get to a point where you go to play a match and during the warming up you think that your technique is way better than your opponent's and you actually lose (i've been in this situation). Also, when you do play matches, try to do the same thing as practice. Dont revert to old bad habits just to win, you arent a pro to care so much about losing. In the long run it will pay off.

 

[Mahboob Khan]

If you cannot find a hitting partner, just go to the wall and practice against the wall. You can practice everything against a wall. I find wall practices quite useful because the wall gives me an instant feedback with regard to my racket head speed.

Tournament matches are important too as each match forces you to prepare for it.

 

[mightyrick]

I am a very active tennis player. I already have a list of people that seem to be also interested a lot, i manage to play sometimes with them, but the scheduling is a nightmare! even with those that are really interested in the game it looks like is difficult to be steady about practice sessions, they replied texts late, etc. etc. I like to have a quick response and organize my days ahead of time as much as possible.....

I want to hit more with people and stop playing matches and ball machine, but it is sosoo fustrating! and here i am again registering for a lot of flex leagues again, but the thing is in competition i feel i don't focus well on adjusting and improving technique , is a human thing even if i try i don't want to lose and might revert to old patterns or not go for my shot.

How do you manage finding practice when you need it?

You should rotate through hitting partners. Most people's lives are far too busy and chaotic to have a reguarly scheduled hitting session with someone. Just go week by week. Go through your list.

If that's too much stress for you, then sign up for weekly drills somewhere. They usually are very cheap (7 to 12 dollars per drill) and you can depend on the schedule. You also get to hit with a lot of different people at drills.

 

[Limpinhitter]

If you cannot find a hitting partner, just go to the wall and practice against the wall. You can practice everything against a wall. I find wall practices quite useful because the wall gives me an instant feedback with regard to my racket head speed.

Tournament matches are important too as each match forces you to prepare for it.

The biggest shortcoming of hitting against a wall is the inability to hit cross court - where almost all groundies should be hit. Other than that, I agree that it's the next best thing to a hitting partner or a programmable ball machine.

 

[TheMagicianOfPrecision]

I am a very active tennis player. I already have a list of people that seem to be also interested a lot, i manage to play sometimes with them, but the scheduling is a nightmare! even with those that are really interested in the game it looks like is difficult to be steady about practice sessions, they replied texts late, etc. etc. I like to have a quick response and organize my days ahead of time as much as possible.....

I want to hit more with people and stop playing matches and ball machine, but it is sosoo fustrating! and here i am again registering for a lot of flex leagues again, but the thing is in competition i feel i don't focus well on adjusting and improving technique , is a human thing even if i try i don't want to lose and might revert to old patterns or not go for my shot.

How do you manage finding practice when you need it?

I feel your frustration.

Most of the guys I practice with are "old" tennisfriends/colleagues/ and sometimes even students. Ive got around 5-6 different practice partners that i text Monday night for example and we practice Tuesday morning before i start to work in the afternoon, and the guys with regular 9-5 jobs i practice with during the weekends.
I dont wanna rub it in your face but I have never not found anyone to practice with when I really tried, which i appreciate a lot.

 

[EP1998]

Playing matches is essential, but in the matches you dont want to be worried about technique. That is for the practice court. The best thing to do if you cant find people is to pay someone at your club. Tell the head pro/tennis director your situation and see what they suggest. You might be able to go a practice session, clinic, or have hitting lessons at a lower cost than a typical private lesson, assuming private cost is an issue. Or look at different clubs. Above all, be creative!

 

[EP1998]

I feel your frustration.

Most of the guys I practice with are "old" tennisfriends/colleagues/ and sometimes even students. Ive got around 5-6 different practice partners that i text Monday night for example and we practice Tuesday morning before i start to work in the afternoon, and the guys with regular 9-5 jobs i practice with during the weekends.
I dont wanna rub it in your face but I have never not found anyone to practice with when I really tried, which i appreciate a lot.

I am lucky too in that way. I have some great hitting partners. I have one friend who is amazing, I hope she never gets injured! I think the way to have good hitting partners is to work hard on the court, go for every ball and give 100 percent.

 

[dozu]

The biggest shortcoming of hitting against a wall is the inability to hit cross court - where almost all groundies should be hit. Other than that, I agree that it's the next best thing to a hitting partner or a programmable ball machine.

lol, hitting cc against wall is my favorite drill... 20 in a row I win point, otherwise I lose... play a game till 11 points.. great work out.

OP sounds like cry baby... in this age of emails and instant messages, how hard can it be.