I do worse against bad players...

[bertrevert]

That's got to feel good - and is a good lesson about thinking beforehand, getting a gameplan (I think we all have templates for a few "types" of palyer in our heads), and executing.

well done, kudos!

 

[ssonosk]

fyb did some videos on it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyDeBdtOHTY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILwKH83Pz5c&feature=relmfu

 

[ssonosk]

and it's funny how you never really think to do those things when you first encounter pushers; since they're so simple.

 

[anontennis]

If you lose to another player, they are better than you on that day, no exceptions.

Here's the problem. Not only is a player with a (as you describe it) one dimensional game beating you; in all likelihood, any decent player who also possesses the ability to change the pace and game up will absolutely dominate you, because it sounds like you have no game against certain shots.

Your best bet would be to play with more players at that level. I had the same problem. Grew up playing with very high level players, but had a tough time against lower level players. Only way I got around it was to join a league on clay with decent older players who had mastered the 'slower' game. Fitness is also a huge help.

 

[racquet_jedi]

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

This right here.

 

[atac]

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.

So this means Nadal is BETTER than Federer because of the head-to-head?

 

[Shroud]

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?

Alot of players try to hit by or over the s/ver. But you have to go at them on occasion and try hitting right at their right hip if they are rightys.

Not only is that a hard volley to make but if you start hitting some rockets at them often they might rethink coming to the net. Like a pitcher pitching close to a hitter to keep them off the plate.

Also if you change the position you stand in to return serve it can get them thinking about what you are doing and less about what they are doing.

On second serves try turning the tables and getting to the net yourself.

 

[HughJars]

I have similar difficulties against soft hitters. I play a friend who plays a counter punching game. He has no power, however, I actually rate his game as considerably better than mine - I played him last night and I tried to go with him with his conistency and made a concious effort to play the ball back as much as I could as opposed to hitting out for winners, and I simply dont have the skills he has. Plus his placement is much better - he saw my backhand was off and tore me a new one.

The biggest difficulty I have playing lower skilled players though compared to higher skilled players is that the ball doesnt travel in the intended direction they want to hit a lot. Against good players your picking up cues in their general movement to get an idea of where the ball is going to go. With the unskilled player a ball can just fly off anywhere and catch you off guard. I find I get passed a lot from shots they dont mean to play!