Getting to the next level

[whodat]

How do you guys know when you are at the next level? I don't mean just going from 3.5 to 4.0 and so on, but going from an average 3.5/4.0/etc to a very good one.
Three weeks ago, I was struggling with my game trying to put all my shots together. Citywide playoffs were fast approaching and I don't want my team to be disappointed because of my play. The two previous matches I played like crap and we squeaked by our opponents. All of the sudden, my game clicked and I played lights out. My partner and I were untouchable. The tennis ball was the size of a football. I thought that it was only for that weekend that I brought my A game but apparently this has been going on for 3 weeks now. If I am in a dream I don't want to wake up. I feel that the consistency is better. I talked to some of the guys that I normally play with and they felt that my shots have a heaviness and spin that was not there before. Coincidently, I started using a hybrid gut setup during this hot streak.
After evaluating my game, I felt that I may have gone from being an average 4.0 to a good 4.0 if not a low 4.5. How do you know when you are on a hot streak and when you have taken the next step in the climb to greatness:mrgreen: i.e.5.0.

 

[Becky]

Well, I play in leagues and tournaments. I know I'm moving up when I'm beating the majority of the people for the supposed NTRP ranking.

Usually, these things happen after something "clicks". As in a small tennis breakthrough. For example, by backhand slices suddenly bite deep, or I finally realize and immediately apply what a coach was talking about "rotation" the whole time. Then whatever people have been telling me, or whatever I've worked out in my strokes, it suddenly isn't awkward or forced and I see results.

As for you, if it's gone on for three weeks, that's certainly not small. It seems like something with timing, or whatever of the sort, like others...just "clicked". So if you continue to have results, you've definitely moved up at least a little.

You know when you've taken a permanent step on the climb to greatness...when you're able to beat the people you have problems with. The most significant example is a "pusher". Beating one consistently simply marks your progress. Or the same shots that gave you trouble before...seem consistently easy.

 

[kevhen]

When you can sustain that level and not lose to anyone now below you.

 

[SageOfDeath]

I totally agree with what becky said. Some days I play better than others and some days I play worse. But when I make a small breakthrough, that part of my game that improved stays with me. That's how I know I improved, I see results of something I improved on and can do it consistnatly if not automatically.

In tennis its hard to remember everything your coach tells you but sometimes when you are practicing you just realize what you did right in your shot, and you hold on to that forever.