I do worse against bad players...

Sintherius

Semi-Pro
Let me explain what I mean. When I play somebody who is aggressive, or actually hits the ball deep and with pace, etc. I play REALLY GOOD against them. Long rallies, ending in a winner by me, etc. even when I lose against them I feel good because I know I did well.

HOWEVER, today I got to relive a nightmare that stalked me last year.

I move from not playing at all Freshman year, to 3rd seed Sophomore year, to 1st seed this year. First match of the year was this year. Turns out the kid I played as a 3 seed LAST YEAR, went to 1st this year since that team lost all their good players (graduation).

I relived the past. Last year I lost to him. He plops the ball over the net, gives me NOTHING to work with, no spin, no pace to use to my advantage, just playing patty cake. I lost.

Today, my teammate and I dominated them in doubles. They didn't win a single game.
I play my guy in singles. PLOP PLOP PLOP.

I'm 90x better this year than last year, but I STILL GOT NOTHING TO WORK WITH. Hitting like usual is thrown COMPLETELY OUTTA WHACK when I played him. I lost, of course.

Why do I play so bad against kids that can't hit good, and amazing against people who can? It makes no sense. It isn't a mental thing, trust me so don't say it is. Is there ANY WAY to fix this? Just plowing the ball didn't work, I actually did BETTER when I played his game. Any help??
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Practice self drops, so YOU add pace.
It's easy to look good vs solid hitters, then fall apart with no pace or wierd spins.
 

GetBetterer

Hall of Fame
What Power Player linked.

You're getting frustrated against counter punchers. Common, but not un-curable so there's still some hope for you young Padowan.
 

Steady Eddy

Legend
When I first started tennis, people told me that my success was due to how terrible a player I was. And that when I got better, they'd beat me badly. I wondered, "Can't a bad player go on tour and make a fortune?"

While a terrible player wouldn't make money on the tour, there really is some truth to finding it hard to beat awful players. They don't know where to stand, they get the score wrong, you NEVER get warmed up. Even if you beat the lousy player 6-0, you don't look very good doing it. Spectators would guess that you're a 2.5 tops, even if you don't drop a game while beating them. You get nothing to hit off, and there's no rhythm to the match.
 

bertrevert

Legend
I was just remarking/watching this very same thing last night.

I think the problem presents as a combination of geometric and temperament factors.

First the geomtery of the court is such that you're hitting the ball harder than waht you receive meaning you're hitting into a foreshortened area - you are forcing the issue, adding the pace, hitting the ball firmly having been drawn into the court inside the baseline. You have less area. And these are also the balls you don't hit in practice. We all like to hit out behind the baseline but it may not be waht happens in a match. The guy you are "90%" better than however spends his time inside the court and waits for your errors.

Second, the temperament. I noticed last night that the "plop" patta-cake game seems to rile a better player. They are thinking "Im better than this" and they hit they're practiced baseline shots out because they are now standing inside the court. Very easily done.

Last night we beat the worse team in doubles comfortably. But lost our singles against the same pat-a-cake players. Although we prevailed overall, nevertheless it's back to the drawing board to practice more soft shots inside the court - and forcing the issue past scramblers and counterpunchers.

G'luck!
 

dozu

Banned
you do worse against a bad player because you are a 'badder' player lol.

just get better.
 

loosegroove

Hall of Fame
I hear you. These player's kill me too when I'm out of practice since I can never get a rhythm and I become frustrated. Plus as others have said, I can't even get warmed up with them before the match because normally they don't hit consistent balls then either.

However this is what works for me if I stay patient, don't become frustrated, and utilize good footwork:

Utilizing looping topspin forehands. They are high percentage and can let you control the point without making too many errors. If I initially try to blast groundstrokes right off the bat, it can be a downward spiral of unforced errors. Plus it's harder for your opponent to use your pace against you or create weird angles off of these higher bouncing balls that keep them at the back of the baseline.

Then you need to choose your moment to come to net and put away their "plop plop plop" balls since they are often just sitters. That's why you guys crush them in doubles is probably the net play on these weak floaters. And also mix in some of your own drop shots.

Yeah, you might miss a drop shot or two, or might get lobbed at net a few times, but overall this totally works. Then you'll gain a rhythm and eventually can start blasting some of their sitters from the baseline as well.
 
I love how someone who can't hit sitters won't even consider that it could be mental. OP, what is the problem when you try to add pace to no pace? Do you get lazy with the footwork? That'd be a mental problem. Do you try to blast him off the court with "superior shots" and spray everything into the back fence? That'd be a mental problem. Do you feel pressure to put a beat down on this "inferior" player rather than just playing the game? That'd be a mental problem.

I would find someone who hits junk and start hitting with them on a regular basis. Stop getting caught up in what constitutes a "good" or "bad" shot. If you can't hit against junk, then your game is junk. Accept it and work hard on fixing that.


Good luck.
 

doctor dennis

Semi-Pro
Let me explain what I mean. When I play somebody who is aggressive, or actually hits the ball deep and with pace, etc. I play REALLY GOOD against them. Long rallies, ending in a winner by me, etc. even when I lose against them I feel good because I know I did well.

HOWEVER, today I got to relive a nightmare that stalked me last year.

I move from not playing at all Freshman year, to 3rd seed Sophomore year, to 1st seed this year. First match of the year was this year. Turns out the kid I played as a 3 seed LAST YEAR, went to 1st this year since that team lost all their good players (graduation).

I relived the past. Last year I lost to him. He plops the ball over the net, gives me NOTHING to work with, no spin, no pace to use to my advantage, just playing patty cake. I lost.

Today, my teammate and I dominated them in doubles. They didn't win a single game.
I play my guy in singles. PLOP PLOP PLOP.

I'm 90x better this year than last year, but I STILL GOT NOTHING TO WORK WITH. Hitting like usual is thrown COMPLETELY OUTTA WHACK when I played him. I lost, of course.

Why do I play so bad against kids that can't hit good, and amazing against people who can? It makes no sense. It isn't a mental thing, trust me so don't say it is. Is there ANY WAY to fix this? Just plowing the ball didn't work, I actually did BETTER when I played his game. Any help??

OP

I hate to say it but this guy is at least on your level or id guess probably better than you at singles if he's beaten you twice. Twice shows it wasn't luck the first time
If you can't hit with pace off a nothing ball that is down to your technique. Your going to have to work harder at your groundies if you struggle with this kind of opponent because I'm going to guess you'll encounter a fair few.
What you need to do is hit deep and into corners and not try to blast winners, you'll eventually get sitters at the net to put away. Patience and consistency is the key. It may look nice blasting winners but if it's not happening you need to re-think your strategy.

Keep practicing your consistency and in time you'll have him for lunch.

Regards
 

tennismonkey

Semi-Pro
at higher levels of play, so much of the game is centered on forcing a weak response from your opponent. as in two players hitting deep rallies and mixing up angles and running around like a madman -- all in the HOPES of drawing a weak shot that they can then put away.

at lower levels of play you have people complaining that their opponent isn't hitting hard enough.

i find that really funny. :)
 

dozu

Banned
funny maybe - but being able to generate own pace is the line in the sand between beginners and advanced amateurs.
 

Sintherius

Semi-Pro
He is NOT better than me. He is better than me when he plays me, and I CAN add my own pace but it's taken away when he plops it over the net.

No it ISN'T MENTAL. I've already SAID THAT. It isn't my footwork, and he is NOT better than me. Let me explain. He loses to everybody he plays, and when I play those people I beat them every time. Example: He lost 6-0 6-0 to a kid last week whom I'm up to par with and beat many times when I play him. And he's one of the best in the valley. This IS what really seperates me from being really good is these people who can't hit hard from the baseline. He has NO game plan, hit every single over head out (the ones he hit in I crushed past him, no exaggeration) and had no normality in his shots, no rhythm.

So YES, he IS a worse player than me, but when I play him I'M the worse player because he's that bad. I play him again next week at home, and that thread helped a ton so thanks for that :)
 

Sreeram

Professional
I dont play at your level. But one mantra I heard is. Do not play at his pace. Let him play at your pace.
Keep checking frequently at what pace are you playing, if it is at his pace then you have to raise the level and force him again.
 

Sintherius

Semi-Pro
Anybody got advice for a very good serve and volleyer? It's all good for me because I dominate him from the baseline but he comes to net a LOT.

Advice for this? A lot of deep topspin lobs?
 

larry10s

Hall of Fame
Anybody got advice for a very good serve and volleyer? It's all good for me because I dominate him from the baseline but he comes to net a LOT.

Advice for this? A lot of deep topspin lobs?

aim your return to hit the service line
make him hit low volleys or half volleyes

work on 2 shot passing shots
dipper to force him into a weak volley then put that ball away

UNLESS ITS TOO PLOP PLOP FOR YOU:shock:
 

larry10s

Hall of Fame
He is NOT better than me. He is better than me when he plays me, and I CAN add my own pace but it's taken away when he plops it over the net.

No it ISN'T MENTAL. I've already SAID THAT. It isn't my footwork, and he is NOT better than me. Let me explain. He loses to everybody he plays, and when I play those people I beat them every time. Example: He lost 6-0 6-0 to a kid last week whom I'm up to par with and beat many times when I play him. And he's one of the best in the valley. This IS what really seperates me from being really good is these people who can't hit hard from the baseline. He has NO game plan, hit every single over head out (the ones he hit in I crushed past him, no exaggeration) and had no normality in his shots, no rhythm.

So YES, he IS a worse player than me, but when I play him I'M the worse player because he's that bad. I play him again next week at home, and that thread helped a ton so thanks for that :)

he is better than you because he wins:shock:
until you beat him routinely he is better

beating a pusher is a rite of passage into a new level of tennis
 

dozu

Banned
in math, if a>b and b>c, then a>c
in tennis it doesn't work this way.

he maybe a 'worse' player in overall results in the league or the group of players you guys regularly play in.... but when it comes to head-to-head, he is BETTER than you because he wins.
 

Sintherius

Semi-Pro
aim your return to hit the service line
make him hit low volleys or half volleyes

work on 2 shot passing shots
dipper to force him into a weak volley then put that ball away

UNLESS ITS TOO PLOP PLOP FOR YOU:shock:

Nope, he actually plays good. :D thanks!
 

rkelley

Hall of Fame
Let me explain what I mean. When I play somebody who is aggressive, or actually hits the ball deep and with pace, etc. I play REALLY GOOD against them. Long rallies, ending in a winner by me, etc. even when I lose against them I feel good because I know I did well.

[snip]
Why do I play so bad against kids that can't hit good, and amazing against people who can? It makes no sense. It isn't a mental thing, trust me so don't say it is. Is there ANY WAY to fix this? Just plowing the ball didn't work, I actually did BETTER when I played his game. Any help??

One thing to consider is that it's a timing thing. Are you finding that the balls are often lower and more out in front of you then you expect? Are you having to reach out to balls at the last moment to hit them?

If you're used to hitting with players with pace then, whether you're conscious of it or not, you're doing a good job of visualizing the contact point where you want to contact the ball, following the ball with your eyes to that contact point, and anticipating the ball's path as it's coming toward you.

Now you play Dave the dinker. The ball comes much more slowly and is dropping in front of you. You need to move in a step more than with someone who was putting more pace on the ball and wait a bit longer before pulling the trigger on your swing. Let the ball come all the way to you.

Are you also getting tight before you hit the ball because you're waiting so long for it? That can also screw up your strokes.

Other than that look around on this site. There are a million threads about playing dinkers. You need to devise a game plan that works to your strengths and against his weaknesses. One important thing to keep in mind, as others have pointed out, is that while it may not be pretty, if he's beating you then he's beating you. He doesn't have to be good, he just has to be better than you. If his game can make you suck, that still counts. I understand that it's totally frustrating, but you have to find a solution. It sounds like you have some tools, so figure out how to use them.

Good luck.

Rich
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
He is NOT better than me. He is better than me when he plays me, and I CAN add my own pace but it's taken away when he plops it over the net.

No it ISN'T MENTAL. I've already SAID THAT. It isn't my footwork, and he is NOT better than me. Let me explain. He loses to everybody he plays, and when I play those people I beat them every time. Example: He lost 6-0 6-0 to a kid last week whom I'm up to par with and beat many times when I play him. And he's one of the best in the valley. This IS what really seperates me from being really good is these people who can't hit hard from the baseline. He has NO game plan, hit every single over head out (the ones he hit in I crushed past him, no exaggeration) and had no normality in his shots, no rhythm.

So YES, he IS a worse player than me, but when I play him I'M the worse player because he's that bad. I play him again next week at home, and that thread helped a ton so thanks for that :)

Dude stop thinking this way or you will hate tennis in 1 year.
 

Andre D

Rookie
Key is footwork, if you fail to hit a good shot its only due to the quickness you get to the ball and where you stand when you hit it...thats laziness imo...
or maybe you just think you are way better than him and you are just a little better, or you arent at all...
 

Sreeram

Professional
Now you play Dave the dinker. The ball comes much more slowly and is dropping in front of you. You need to move in a step more than with someone who was putting more pace on the ball and wait a bit longer before pulling the trigger on your swing. Let the ball come all the way to you.

Are you also getting tight before you hit the ball because you're waiting so long for it? That can also screw up your strokes.

Really good advice. Playing tight is the problem even at pro level.
 

doctor dennis

Semi-Pro
OP

You say you can create your own pace which is good. The question is, can you do it consistently with control over the direction.
I'm going to guess you can't do this reliably yet and you'll hit one winner then a few unforced errors due to getting tight about missing earlier shots.
Use the geometry of the court and hit with more margin for error but still with decent pace.
As for playing serve and volleyers I cant really say to be honest. I haven't played many all out serve and volleyers. As others Have said, the two shot pass is good and generally do what you can to make them volley up to give yourself a shot at making a pass.
 

user92626

G.O.A.T.
It's quite simple...

Within your group he has practiced hitting against yours and other's shots --which I may add is monotonous in pace -- more than you've practiced against his. Make sense since there's only one of him and the rest are like you!
 

CptnRiceKrispy

New User
I'm 90x better this year than last year, but I STILL GOT NOTHING TO WORK WITH. Hitting like usual is thrown COMPLETELY OUTTA WHACK when I played him. I lost, of course.

Why do I play so bad against kids that can't hit good, and amazing against people who can? It makes no sense. It isn't a mental thing, trust me so don't say it is. Is there ANY WAY to fix this? Just plowing the ball didn't work, I actually did BETTER when I played his game. Any help??

Sigh...you sound very much like I did just a little while ago. You are probably a better than average highschool player with an aggressive baseline game. You like dominating from the baseline and you tend to lose points because of unforced errors.

Sorry to say but you're not a very good player yet. You think your good (trust me, I did) because you do well against good players but the difference is, they (the good players you play) can beat the pushers with ease. Don't worry though you'll get better, you just have to keep playing and get more experienced.

Trust me im going through the same thing
 

Blake0

Hall of Fame
First off you don't play them the same way you'd play a better player. You have to adjust your strokes and mentality to what gives you the most points. Going into the net, s&v, dropshots, etc are all good ways.

If you want to learn how to hit against no pace. Drop a ball, let it bounce, and then hit your forehand. Do the same thing with your backhand.
 

Sintherius

Semi-Pro
Sigh...you sound very much like I did just a little while ago. You are probably a better than average highschool player with an aggressive baseline game. You like dominating from the baseline and you tend to lose points because of unforced errors.

Sorry to say but you're not a very good player yet. You think your good (trust me, I did) because you do well against good players but the difference is, they (the good players you play) can beat the pushers with ease. Don't worry though you'll get better, you just have to keep playing and get more experienced.

Trust me im going through the same thing

Actually, truest statement I've heard. They DO beat the pushers (I call it playing patty cake) with ease. Kid I played yesterday dominated the pusher, yet I did very well against the serve and volleyer (still lost, he has the best net game I've seen. And the placement of his volleys are just WOW o_O) So you're probably right.
 
in math, if a>b and b>c, then a>c
in tennis it doesn't work this way.

he maybe a 'worse' player in overall results in the league or the group of players you guys regularly play in.... but when it comes to head-to-head, he is BETTER than you because he wins.

This is completely true. No matter how many times you defeat a "better" player than him, if he wins, he is the better player. If you want to judge how good someone is by the W/L ratio, then so be it. However, you wouldn't have created this post, now would you?

Down to advice... Pushers. They are everywhere. I play 1st seed singles for 8th grade, and I've encountered 6 pushers out of my 8 matches. If what they're doing is giving you no pace but it's a high, short ball... The wait until the height is right in your strike zone and go crosscourt with as sharp of an angle as possible. If you have a stronger forehand, run around high backhands at the net, you'll have time. (If this guy hits them as slow as you say he does) Pushers tend to be sluggish with their footwork, so even if they manage to get to your shot... It shouldn't be an amazing lob, so volley it away. Make sure if the score gets tied up that you make as few unforced errors as possible until you can regain a 2-game lead. Also, never let them make some crazy comeback from 5-1 by you getting careless and frustrated. Pushers tend to be impossible to anger, and they will not beat themselves like a "better" player would.

Speaking of having a record of 0-8 last year (my first year) to 8-0 this year. Yes, pushers are annoying. You'll have to learn to deal with them. Good luck!
 

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Are you speaking from experience here? :)

Yes. As a junior I went through the same thing. I beat down most of the guys I used to play who hit hard, and suddenly pushers came up and I would get so mad that I hated the game and quit for a long time before realizing what I needed to do.
 

nickynu

Semi-Pro
Ok here's the truth although you wont like it.

Disengage your ego immediately or ou will never ever be as good as you think you are. You are NOT better than him. When you accept this you can move forward.
 

Sintherius

Semi-Pro
Ok here's the truth although you wont like it.

Disengage your ego immediately or ou will never ever be as good as you think you are. You are NOT better than him. When you accept this you can move forward.

Who said I had an ego?
And nah, I'll be moving forward without accepting it. I'll prove it to you when I beat him next week (when we actually play REGULAR RULES, BEST 2 OF 3 SETS INSTEAD OF ONE SET TO 8)
 

Sintherius

Semi-Pro
Since he is in West Virginia and I'm in Ohio. West Virginia (high school at least) plays one pro set to 8. Ohio plays regularly (best 2 of 3 sets 6 games per set)
 

nickynu

Semi-Pro
Who said I had an ego?
And nah, I'll be moving forward without accepting it. I'll prove it to you when I beat him next week (when we actually play REGULAR RULES, BEST 2 OF 3 SETS INSTEAD OF ONE SET TO 8)

Everybody has an ego. You are disrespecting your opponent. (who beat you) and its evident from your post that the blow to your ego is affecting your confidence, and leading you to question your own ability. It would be so much better if instead you just went away and worked hard to get to the point where a pushing style no longer works against your self proclaimed superior ability. You think you have more talent and that should be enough, it should just come to you right? No..... Disengage your ego and work.

Your motivation is a little strange, you dont need to prove it to me... you need to prove it to yourself. Good luck with that
 

2ManyAces

Rookie
I read in some tennis magazine that the reason you lose to bad players is because you judge them too much. They aren't bad, they simply have a different game than other people. They do what works for them. Judging them too early will make you more angry when you mess up. Basically treat the 'bad' players like you would treat a 'good' player and see how it works. It's all about adjusting your game.
 

athiker

Hall of Fame
Footwork and timing as repeatedly mentioned above. I see very "good players" fall into to this regularly vs. certain opponents. The balls coming in are different that what you are used to and you have more time. You are likely setting up too early, as you would against a "normal" incoming groundstroke w/ pace, and then having to change your swing at the last moment when the ball doesn't arrive where expected. With the balls this guy gives you you have to keep adjusting right up until the ball reaches you and then set for your "superior" stroke. If you have better strokes and strategy there is no way he should be able to out consistent you and win.

If he is drawing you inside the baseline to midcourt you have to decide if you can hit a quality enough approach shot to continue to the net or if you can't then you simply hit a solid strategic shot and retreat until a better opportunity. Just keep setting up for your strokes until you get the finishing opportunity or draw an error. Again, if your stroke foundation is better he should make an error or give up a ball you can hit for a winner or forcing shot before you do.

Feet - ball, Feet - ball, Feet - ball. Meaning get your feet in the right position and watch the ball to contact...no peeking up. Again b/c of the extra time its easy to lift your head before contact and throw off your stroke. Feet - ball.

He has NO game plan, hit every single over head out (the ones he hit in I crushed past him, no exaggeration) and had no normality in his shots, no rhythm.

Finally, if he hits all overheads out...well...uhmm...give him all overheads!
 

Chenx15

Banned
sounds like safin vs santoro. my only suggestion is push it back. hit safe shots but with heavy spins or even junk the ball, slice it, side spin it but play it safely. don't be aggressive, don't go for the lines, just give the ball back once you get the groove going start hitting with pace but don't overpower. chances are you have very good footwork. just be patient.
 

Sreeram

Professional
sounds like safin vs santoro. my only suggestion is push it back. hit safe shots but with heavy spins or even junk the ball, slice it, side spin it but play it safely. don't be aggressive, don't go for the lines, just give the ball back once you get the groove going start hitting with pace but don't overpower. chances are you have very good footwork. just be patient.

You may be right but I recently figured out that it does not work the same for me. We play well with hard hitter because when we see him taking chances we take ours too. When we play against a slow player who does not take his chances we try the same like what you said, but that may not be our stength. I am not saying we need to take our chances but we should not constrain our natural game because the opponent is not making mistakes. Whatever is your natural pace which you are comfortable with. Play in that pace.
 

thug the bunny

Professional
Meaning get your feet in the right position and watch the ball to contact...no peeking up. Again b/c of the extra time its easy to lift your head before contact and throw off your stroke.

Very sound advice. I know because I do it all the time against lob sitters. Takes a lot of patience and discipline. A LOT.
 

Sintherius

Semi-Pro
Thanks for all the advice guys. I play the same kid tomorrow. My game plan as of now is to:

-- Hit a lot to his back hand. His backhand is TERRIBLE, literally can't aim where it's going. And when I get a deep ball to his back hand, come to net.

-- Serve and volley. His returns off of me where just floating over and had I been at the net I could have finished the point.

-- Go for my angles and watch the ball all the way through the contact point. On my angle shots that went IN, I noticed he just hit it in the middle of the court every time. I do this against big hitters well because the ball comes at me faster, but not against ploppers because it comes much slower when I'm used to the fast paced game of facing good players.

-- Lob. He seriously missed 6+ overheads in a row. I know because he COUNTED them. Always went long.

-- Come to net almost every point. Reasons stated above.

Wish me luck for tomorrow! I'll be sure to post back in Tennis Tips/Instruction and in this thread as well after my results (unless the match gets canceled due to rain as it has today.
 

DavaiMarat

Professional
Let me explain what I mean. When I play somebody who is aggressive, or actually hits the ball deep and with pace, etc. I play REALLY GOOD against them. Long rallies, ending in a winner by me, etc. even when I lose against them I feel good because I know I did well.

HOWEVER, today I got to relive a nightmare that stalked me last year.

I move from not playing at all Freshman year, to 3rd seed Sophomore year, to 1st seed this year. First match of the year was this year. Turns out the kid I played as a 3 seed LAST YEAR, went to 1st this year since that team lost all their good players (graduation).

I relived the past. Last year I lost to him. He plops the ball over the net, gives me NOTHING to work with, no spin, no pace to use to my advantage, just playing patty cake. I lost.

Today, my teammate and I dominated them in doubles. They didn't win a single game.
I play my guy in singles. PLOP PLOP PLOP.

I'm 90x better this year than last year, but I STILL GOT NOTHING TO WORK WITH. Hitting like usual is thrown COMPLETELY OUTTA WHACK when I played him. I lost, of course.

Why do I play so bad against kids that can't hit good, and amazing against people who can? It makes no sense. It isn't a mental thing, trust me so don't say it is. Is there ANY WAY to fix this? Just plowing the ball didn't work, I actually did BETTER when I played his game. Any help??

You start by not thinking you're a better player then him. It's that simple. Once you get the attitude, 'You don't even deserve to be on the same court as me' ...you've lost...you're mentally gone.

Once you think he's your equal or better then you can start formulating a strat to counter his strengths and exploit his weaknesses. (i.e. most players like this don't like to be at the net).
 

jdubbs

Hall of Fame
You start by not thinking you're a better player then him. It's that simple. Once you get the attitude, 'You don't even deserve to be on the same court as me' ...you've lost...you're mentally gone.

Once you think he's your equal or better then you can start formulating a strat to counter his strengths and exploit his weaknesses. (i.e. most players like this don't like to be at the net).

Yeah, I agree. Be humble out there. I actually fear the moonballer/drop shotters the most, so I play hard out there and run everything down I can.
 

Sintherius

Semi-Pro
I play him at 4:00pm EST (in an hour for me) so wish me luck!

Game plan is solid in my mind :)

I'll post back here with the results!
 
Top