How to avoid pushing?

[MegacedU]

Does anyone else turn into a pusher when they're down? The other day I was up 4-1 in the first set. The coach of the other team is my ex-coach of 3 years at the club I play at. He told her to take avantage of my weakness (the fact that I get very close to the net when I volley and thus have trouble getting back on lobs) and she did so. I ended up losing the set 6-4 but in the next set, I turned into the most disgusting pusher I've ever seen.

I wasn't about to play risky tennis but I was annoyed that I couldn't stop pushing either.

Does anyone have any tips on how to avoid pushing as a "safe" way of playing?

 

[Exile]

Think hispanic and pretend the ball is a yellow fuzzy pinata.

 

[takeuchi]

......swing

 

[Exile]

I'm serious....

 

[MegacedU]

......swing

Thanks for that. I wasn't sure. I'm talking more in a mentality sense.

 

[Gazz]

i do the same...but not always when i'm losing, sometimes when i'm winning...i played a guy today and pushed alot and had really poor depth...i won but i wouldn't against better opponents...i dunno what to do either...

 

[takeuchi]

Thanks for that. I wasn't sure. I'm talking more in a mentality sense.

i was being serious, but in a simple way for you to remember. Sometimes i end up arming the ball (that feeling when your arm swings but you don't get that whippy feeling from the racket coming around) more than i would like, so i tell myself "Swing!".

 

[Slice Approach]

Just don't do it! But seriously, I think it just takes alot of matchplay, practice, and maybe a few lessons to increase your confidence in your strokes and game. It is easy to revert back to "pushing" when the match is close and you are nervous and afraid to make a mistake. However, just remember that although this style of play may win the match in the short run, in the long run it will keep you from progressing to the next level.

This is easier said than done, but hit bravely when you are playing a match. This doesn't mean hitting risky shots, but take full swings at the ball. Work your opponent around the court and, when possible, take advantage of opportunities to attack. Don't be afraid to lose some matches playing this way...go ahead and make some mistakes. Commit to each shot and hit it with confidence. This is the only way to reach your potential. I would personally rather "go out swinging" than to win a match by pushing.

 

[ffrpg]

It's all about confidence. People tend to resort to pushing when they're nervous. Have confidence in your strokes and don't be afraid to lose. I'd rather lose on my own terms than resort to pushing and still losing.

 

[AngeloDS]

Work on footwork and better balance. When you do that, you can take those risk shots and have a good percentage of them go in. It's hard to hit winners, or be aggressive from awkward positions or not in very good positions.

 

[Mkey23]

I use Serve and forehand in situations that I want to be agressive. That is similliar tactics that serve and volley players have but I concentrate on my first serve and go with more agressive forehand. If you play like that, you are exiting pushing mode.

 

[M0rgan77]

When I get nervous these are the things I do.

1. If the feet are working the head is too. If you really make sure you are moving your feet well you will make better descions. Don't ask why.

2.Accept it. When I am nervous on my second serve I usually double fault into the net. What I do before I hit my second serve is say alright, don't hit a safe push serve because you will miss it. You're probably going to df anyway so hit out. Go down swinging.

3. The steady fast steady players with no weapons are the hardest to play because the make you decide the match. They won't hit any winner or miss any shots. The point will either end by you hitting a winner or missing. When playing these people try to keep the rally over 5 shots but under 12. If it is under 5 you are going for the kill to soon, but if it is over 12 you are playing their game.

 

[MegacedU]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. The frustration is just getting to me because my hs coach gets reallly reallly mad at me and yells when I don't win because I push when it gets close. I used to be #1 but he said that without my win, the rest of the team couldn't win, so he moved me down. I guess I just didn't want that to happen again.

The first couple games I usually always win just because I have decent strokes from my eight years of tennis. It's only when my opponents begin to read me, that I fall.

 

[hipster]

I usually try to take every point as it comes and not think about the whole picture. Between points, instead of thinking "this is getting close," or "I need to win this game in order to stay in it" I think "what am I doing with this point." Sometimes, if I get really nervous or distracted or focused on the set, I think "what am I doing with this next shot? Am I going to pound it at his forehand or backhand." That usually keeps me focused and from getting discouraged or nervous. Take it one point at a time.

 

[Loserfoo]

just say lets quit pushing

 

[stc9357]

My coach always says in a tight match you play your game because most people get scared if the other guy gets tight I take advantage. I have a real good record in tiebreakers because I swing out and come straight at the guy. Was down 6-0 in one tiebreaker and won 8 straight points to win the match.

 

[johnmcc516]

I'm serious....

I know... thats why I am still laughing.

 

[DanN]

Sounds like you have a lot going on in your mind sometimes when you play. I remember you posted a while back about playing poorly when your Mom came out to watch you.

There's no easy answer for you, although maybe a chat with a sports psychologist (aka "Performance coach") might help you a little bit. The fact that you're at least aware of what you're doing is probably a good thing, you just have to try to figure out why you're doing it. What is it you're afraid of... losing? looking bad? something else?

I can tell you some things that have worked for me in the past, but there's no guarantee it will work for you, since everyone is different.

 

[Tim Tennis]

It's all about confidence. People tend to resort to pushing when they're nervous. Have confidence in your strokes and don't be afraid to lose. I'd rather lose on my own terms than resort to pushing and still losing.

Have to go along with that. That is how you improve your level of play and get to the higher levels.

 

[saram]

Don't play "not to lose". People that start to push a ball are not wanting to lose. They are not wanting to win--just not lose. Hit the strokes you do in practice....

 

[Tennisplayer92]

if only you guys could like tell em all these things when im down in a groundstroke game and im firing them left and right out. but i think these guys got it covered. when in doubt just swing out :]

 

[Rickson]

Who brought back this old thread?

 

[MegacedU]

Wow this is an oldie. I don't even remember this thread. Must have been before horrible shoulder incident, recovery, college!

 

[ThiTran]

Play one point at a time and try to avoid thinking too far, and if you must, see yourself winning at the end. It's enough pressure less alone your coach's additional pressuse, sorry to hear that.

Work to overcome your weaknesses i.e. don't move too close to the net for first volley, work on overhead, better topspin on your ground stroke so you can hit hard and safe.

Pratice breathing and jumping around between points or while waiting to receive serve. Play, learn, and improve your game but need to have fun at the same time. When the opponent makes a good shot, acknowledge it; that will keep thing in perspective and reduce your stress.

 

[user92626]

Play one point at a time and try to avoid thinking too far, and if you must, see yourself winning at the end. It's enough pressure less alone your coach's additional pressuse, sorry to hear that.

Work to overcome your weaknesses i.e. don't move too close to the net for first volley, work on overhead, better topspin on your ground stroke so you can hit hard and safe.

Pratice breathing and jumping around between points or while waiting to receive serve. Play, learn, and improve your game but need to have fun at the same time. When the opponent makes a good shot, acknowledge it; that will keep thing in perspective and reduce your stress.

Looks like another person who knows what he's talking about. Thanks.