How do I get to the next level?

[miketran]

Hey guys,

I just got done playing some tennis and was wondering how I could get to the next level? I believe I am a pretty strong 5.0-5.5 player in college. I did not try out last year due to a shoulder injury, and I have been working pretty hard at my game, despite bogus school work. I know it isn't a breeze, since I've had a coach for 1.5 years on top of the 3 years I put in myself. I make about 4 hours for tennis practice a week here at school. but until I can go home for summer and work with my coach, I was wondering what it would take for me to reach the 6.0 level? To start off, I just need more match play. Anyway, any feedback will help. I really want to make it onto my school's team. Thanks everyone.

 

[Kaptain Karl]

1 - I suspect you are being "kind" to yourself with your NTRP. Test yourself by entering an Open Tournament or three.

If you get to the 3rd Round, I'm wrong and you might be right. Either way, you'll have a more "objective" idea of your level ... which will help you design a plan for advancement.

2 - Do a SEARCH on TT for "perfect practice" and "game based drills" (or "game-based drills"). Do drills which advance your game.

3 - Play lots of tournaments. Match play will "harden" you for competition.

I like tourneys because I meet players I've never played before and I have to keep my ability to *quickly* change tactics and strategy well-honed.

- KK

 

[shojun25]

being a 5.0-5.5, you should know what you need to work on. atleast post your skills (groundstrokes, volleys, serves, etc) so others can get a sense of what they need to tell you. you've just told us about your tennis routine and your tennis past. how are we suppose to know what you need to work on?

 

[miketran]

I try to keep my game an all-court style. I have been analyzed using Dartfish and the college coach. I think my serve and groundstrokes are my forte. The serve has gotten up to 119, via coach's radar. Honestly, I think I just need more matchplay, since I haven't had the chance for much since coming to college. My tennis past...I've played singles most of my career in high school, but never taking it too seriously up until senior year and wanting to play for college. since then, with my coach at home, I did drills and footwork, hitting up to 4 hours a session a few times a week. I know there are little things that I should work on, but was just wondering what separated a 6.0 from a 5.0-5.5 player. any more info need, just ask.

 

[beernutz]

Hey guys,

I just got done playing some tennis and was wondering how I could get to the next level? I believe I am a pretty strong 5.0-5.5 player in college. I did not try out last year due to a shoulder injury, and I have been working pretty hard at my game, despite bogus school work. I know it isn't a breeze, since I've had a coach for 1.5 years on top of the 3 years I put in myself. I make about 4 hours for tennis practice a week here at school. but until I can go home for summer and work with my coach, I was wondering what it would take for me to reach the 6.0 level? To start off, I just need more match play. Anyway, any feedback will help. I really want to make it onto my school's team. Thanks everyone.

Which college team do you play for?

 

[shojun25]

Which college team do you play for?

i was gonna ask him the same question, but i didn't want to get too private.

 

[Mick]

Find a 6.0 player and play with him . When you are able to beat him, you have moved up to another level

 

[excelcier]

eat a red mushroom

 

[miketran]

haha. well i go to Emory University, a DIII school with a national championship record for the past few years. I do not play for the school, but i have hopes of trying out next year after already talking to the coach. I've seen some of the lower ladder players, and i honestly feel that they are not any better than i am, i just kind of lucked out last fall.

 

[35ft6]

haha. well i go to Emory University, a DIII school with a national championship record for the past few years. I do not play for the school, but i have hopes of trying out next year after already talking to the coach. I've seen some of the lower ladder players, and i honestly feel that they are not any better than i am, i just kind of lucked out last fall.

Judging by his bio, Emory's number 1 is probably a strong 5.5 to weak 6.0. If you're as good as you think you are, and I agree with KK that you're most likely being too generous, then you'll make the team absolutely no problem and play as high as number 2 NO PROBLEM. You should be able to hang with the number 1 guy, Goodwin. He'll beat you, but not smoke you.

But aside from that, how should we know how to improve if we don't see footage of you hitting or playing a match? Post a video if you want useful tips. Yeah, playing with better players is a good thing, but lets see your strokes first.

 

[miketran]

hey 35ft6,

how do you know Goodwin? that's cool. Well, like i said, i honestly think that i am a strong 5.0 wanting to make it up to the next level. If you guys want, i can try and get some footage of me hitting when i get the chance. My current plans are hopefully getting more tourny play this summer and training in. I'll be sure to get a vid asap. Thanks so far, everyone.BTW, what really separates a 5.0-5.5 from 6.0 player?

 

[Pleepers]

DIII, any decent 5.0 should make the team -unless the team is realy that deep? What kind of system do they have for making the team? Is it a "try-out" or a minitournament for walk-ons? Best of luck to you!

 

[Trinity TC]

I know there are little things that I should work on, but was just wondering what separated a 6.0 from a 5.0-5.5 player. any more info need, just ask.

Generally, they have a reliable weapon that can control play against a 5.5 and are very resourceful in matchplay. How to get that level? Get a reputation as a good practice partner and drill with these guys. From there it's a test of how much match toughness you can develop against the big dogs.

 

[thursdayisgod]

6.0 in d3? What kind of facilities do you guys have? I'm playing D3 and only the god schools in our conferences have 6.0 players, and that's just because they give them disguised 'academic grants' for tennis. Why didn't you go to a D2 or bad D1 school and get money?

 

[miketran]

I didn't originally plan to play for a school, I came to my college for academics. My school has a record of national champions for the past few years. Our facilities are amazing, i believe. we have 6 indoor courts, 8 outdoor, and a couple clay courts. Our top player just got a new sponsorship, but i forgot with who.

 

[35ft6]

hey 35ft6,

how do you know Goodwin? that's cool.

Nah, I don't know the dude, but I'm familiar with Emory. When I was playing, their number one was a guy named Brett Kaplan I think. He was good but judging from the bio, Goodwin is a step up. After looking around collegetennis.com, I would say Goodwin is definitely a 6.0 player. He could be top 25 in So Cal men's opens.

In fact, it seems like their whole team has gotten deeper. Back in the day, I was reasonably certain I could beat their number 2 guy, but now even their number 6 has an impressive resume.

Thanks so far, everyone.BTW, what really separates a 5.0-5.5 from 6.0 player?

It's so hard to say, but safe bet they hit with more precision, have better footwork, and a nastier serve. Going from 5.0 to 6.0 is a hard leap. IMO, unless you're 5.0 by age 17 or 18, you'll never make it to that 6.0 level. If nothing else, I would tell you to get into great shape and hit tons of serves, make it a real weapon.

DIII, any decent 5.0 should make the team -unless the team is realy that deep?

This is how Emory did against 60th ranked Georgia State. They're no joke. They could be ranked in the top 100 in D-1. Like barely, but still...

 

[miketran]

Well, thanks for the credit to Emory. This year, our team is a little younger than last..but that just means more room for growing. Honestly, if I were to grade myself without any generosity, I would say I am a strong 5.0. I just need more matchplay, which can be set up. As far as serves go, I have hit 119 after my cortisone shot, which was a few months ago. Nowadays, I feel that it has more speed because I have simplified my form and shoulder has gotten better..but I know I can always improve on consistency, etc. Thanks for all the feedback guys, I hope to get some footage for you all for even more feedback. Thanks.

 

[35ft6]

Well, thanks for the credit to Emory. This year, our team is a little younger than last..but that just means more room for growing. Honestly, if I were to grade myself without any generosity, I would say I am a strong 5.0. I just need more matchplay, which can be set up. As far as serves go, I have hit 119 after my cortisone shot, which was a few months ago.

I'm not talking about just speed of serve, although that certainly helps, I'm talking about hitting a hundred serves a day with targets in the boxes, being able to confidently hit several spots, and having a very dependable second serve.

If you can get 2 really cheap points a service game, you can hang with players who are "better" than you.