No ad scoring

[the 10s n00b]

So I recently joined a league where this type of scoring is used but am having a hard time dealing with it mentally as I have never used it. Last week I had a match with match point at deuce and lost because tightness I on deuce points . This week I tried to just relax on the deuce points but that ended even worse. I absolutely hate no ads but am left with no choice during this league and need to get over this hump. Help please?

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

So I recently joined a league where this type of scoring is used but am having a hard time dealing with it mentally as I have never used it. Last week I had a match with match point at deuce and lost because tightness I on deuce points . This week I tried to just relax on the deuce points but that ended even worse. I absolutely hate no ads but am left with no choice during this league and need to get over this hump. Help please?

Same advice for tightness during any situation, regardless of the score or scoring format: focus on the point, the process, moving your feet, watching the ball, etc. Anything but the score.

No Ad is apparently worse for you because at Deuce it combines both opportunity to win and failure to lose. Some people will look only at the downside; others will look only at the upside.

Gilbert in *Winning Ugly* said that Connors was such a great competitor because was able to recognize that more pressure meant more opportunity and to capitalize on that [he also said that Connors was an exception in that most people have a hard time with that mindset].

I don't like No Ad either but mainly because it shortens the match, not because of extra pressure; I figure my opponent's feeling the same pressure.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

So I recently joined a league where this type of scoring is used but am having a hard time dealing with it mentally as I have never used it. Last week I had a match with match point at deuce and lost because tightness I on deuce points . This week I tried to just relax on the deuce points but that ended even worse. I absolutely hate no ads but am left with no choice during this league and need to get over this hump. Help please?

BTW: how is No Ad, with chances to both win or lose, worse than being Ad down, where you have the chance to lose or get back to even? The payout in No Ad is higher than Ad out.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

BTW: how is No Ad, with chances to both win or lose, worse than being Ad down, where you have the chance to lose or get back to even? The payout in No Ad is higher than Ad out.

@the 10s n00b - so maybe it's the prospect of winning that has you more nervous than the possibility of losing?

 

[the 10s n00b]

@S&V I really like that Connors mentality and will think about it... Also before I joined this league I hadn't lost a match or even games for quite some time... If it came down to deuce i could play normally and win that point for add in.. then play even more relaxed at that ad in point and generally win the game. Its interesting how you don't like no ad because it shortens matches... I would rather play a set to 4 with ad scoring than 2 sets no ad scoring. i feel like most people I play don't have this mindset and thrive (relatively speaking) in a no ad match. I had gotten so accustomed to not dropping games and playing ads that this form of "tennis" doesn't even feel like tennis anymore.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

@S&V I really like that Connors mentality and will think about it... Also before I joined this league I hadn't lost a match or even games for quite some time... If it came down to deuce i could play normally and win that point for add in.. then play even more relaxed at that ad in point and generally win the game. Its interesting how you don't like no ad because it shortens matches... I would rather play a set to 4 with ad scoring than 2 sets no ad scoring. i feel like most people I play don't have this mindset and thrive (relatively speaking) in a no ad match. I had gotten so accustomed to not dropping games and playing ads that this form of "tennis" doesn't even feel like tennis anymore.

Hmm: if you haven't even lost any games in some time, I wouldn't think changing the scoring format would suddenly cause a decline in performance. Could it also be that the competition is stiffer or that you might be out of practice?

I look at the times I played something other than traditional Ad scoring and I don't notice a difference in the outcome.

I think if you play it long enough, it will become second nature. I remember when volleyball changed from sideout scoring [you can only score when you are serving] to speed scoring [you score whenever you win the rally]: I hated it. And then after a season, I didn't notice it anymore.

 

[Max G.]

If you hadn't lost in a while, it makes sense you weren't used to pressure! Especially if, as you said, you were accustomed to "not dropping games"! Means you were usually playing people you knew for sure you could beat, and thus you never were in a situation where you felt any real pressure.

Now you're playing folks who seem to give you a real match, and so the fact that there's an actual chance you might lose is putting a huge amount of pressure on you.

Don't blame the scoring system, blame the fact that you spent a long time without any real competition.

 

[the 10s n00b]

@S&V-not_dead_yet It likely has caused a decrease as I beat someone 0,1 (with ads) who beat the player i lost to... Here while 0,1 looks bad, there were deuces but I was just my natural self during those points...(i think about the score... and am disappointed even if i drop 1 game)... but yeah i feel like my opponents are so used to no ads and don't notice but for me its like a new sport.

 

[davced1]

I have learned that what works for me is to play aggressive, controlled aggression I should add dictating the points. This way I seem to win more than I lose but there will always be an element of chance no matter what you do.

 

[the 10s n00b]

If you hadn't lost in a while, it makes sense you weren't used to pressure! Especially if, as you said, you were accustomed to "not dropping games"! Means you were usually playing people you knew for sure you could beat, and thus you never were in a situation where you felt any real pressure.

Now you're playing folks who seem to give you a real match, and so the fact that there's an actual chance you might lose is putting a huge amount of pressure on you.

Don't blame the scoring system, blame the fact that you spent a long time without any real competition.

its hard for me to say I spent time without any real competition though because aside from what I just posted to S&V the people I was playing were certainly better than the players I lost to playing no ad...(Here i guess the possibility is they also drop levels when they play no ad but I just feel like they don't feel it)

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

@S&V-not_dead_yet It likely has caused a decrease as I beat someone 0,1 (with ads) who beat the player i lost to... Here while 0,1 looks bad, there were deuces but I was just my natural self during those points...(i think about the score... and am disappointed even if i drop 1 game)... but yeah i feel like my opponents are so used to no ads and don't notice but for me its like a new sport.

Speaking for myself only, I play a lot looser and more freely when I don't think about the score; I worry about the process [or even better, nothing at all] and let the score take care of itself.

At least, this is what I TRY to do; I'm at best only partially successful.

 

[the 10s n00b]

Speaking for myself only, I play a lot looser and more freely when I don't think about the score; I worry about the process [or even better, nothing at all] and let the score take care of itself.

At least, this is what I TRY to do; I'm at best only partially successful.

I think thats important for no ad.. but im so used to thinking about it because i would always want a perfect 0,0 and wouldn't settle for less... If i won 0,0 (and I usually did) I could go home and relax but in the case where it was something else (usually 0,1 1,0 2,0 1,1) I wouldn't reward myself.

 

[the 10s n00b]

now that i think about it... i guess what i should actually do is play practice sets with no ad scoring... that way I am more prepared during matches... but majority (if not all) of high level players won't want to play a no-ad practice match (and I don't blame them lol) ... after all one would be hard pressed to find a itf singles tournament that used no ad scoring

 

[the 10s n00b]

I have learned that what works for me is to play aggressive, controlled aggression I should add dictating the points. This way I seem to win more than I lose but there will always be an element of chance no matter what you do.

yeah perhaps controlled aggression with an added element of pressure...

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

I think thats important for no ad.. but im so used to thinking about it because i would always want a perfect 0,0 and wouldn't settle for less... If i won 0,0 (and I usually did) I could go home and relax but in the case where it was something else (usually 0,1 1,0 2,0 1,1) I wouldn't reward myself.

If you're usually winning 0 & 0, you are in too low a bracket.

For many people, taking such high expectations [double bagel] into a match is a recipe for disaster: choking, tightening up, anxiety, stress, etc.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

now that i think about it... i guess what i should actually do is play practice sets with no ad scoring... that way I am more prepared during matches... but majority (if not all) of high level players won't want to play a no-ad practice match (and I don't blame them lol) ... after all one would be hard pressed to find a itf singles tournament that used no ad scoring

Why not? it's practice. If someone asked me to play a practice match, my decision wouldn't hinge on what scoring system he wanted to use. I'd be more concerned about what I could get out of the practice [if the skill level disparity is too large it's not worth it for either of us] and whether I want to hang around that person. I've played No Ad, ping pong [alternate 5 serves each; play to 21], untouchable winners count for 3 points, etc.

 

[the 10s n00b]

interestingly i've never played a no-ad practice set... and after this league is done I don't think I ever will again but while its going on I think that could help. that way I'm not going in cold in the important matches.. (after all practice makes perfect)... but yeah like I said you won't really find high level players playing practice matches with no adds... to work on pressure they might use a tiebreak and generally will play a match best 2 out of 3 with adds. Also how many no add practice matches have you played? Wait you've played a set where untouchable winners count for 3 points? Or just like a drill game?

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Also how many no add practice matches have you played?

None. But I don't have an issue switching back and forth so I see no reason to practice it. There are many other factors that are far more important than the scoring system [like, am I making enough service returns?].

Wait you've played a set where untouchable winners count for 3 points? Or just like a drill game?

Yes, it was a drill. But the motivation changes from just getting the ball back in to just getting your racquet on the ball and grounding it on your side so your opponent doesn't have a chance to score 3.

 

[the 10s n00b]

Oh interesting yeah I've actually never seen anyone play a practice set no ads... but obviously i am having trouble so that's going to be on my practice list...... and Ok i've played drills like that also (and almost every other variation out there lol) but if that was how sets were played that would drive me mad (and even more so than no ad as the further the scoring systems differs from the traditional scoring system the more crazy I get.) Perhaps I could also try a practice set like that and then when i go to no ads it will seem like nothing...

 

[Max G.]

Pro doubles is no-ad nowadays, with supertiebreak instead of a third. So it's not some weird out-there drill variant.

 

[the 10s n00b]

of course no-ads isn't a drill variant.. but considering singles you will likely never see a professional singles match utilizing that scoring.

 

[TagUrIt]

So I recently joined a league where this type of scoring is used but am having a hard time dealing with it mentally as I have never used it. Last week I had a match with match point at deuce and lost because tightness I on deuce points . This week I tried to just relax on the deuce points but that ended even worse. I absolutely hate no ads but am left with no choice during this league and need to get over this hump. Help please?

WTT league has these rules along with “let serves” being allowed and scoring 1-4. I play in a WTT league and these rules take some getting used to. As far as your question goes, tennis is mental just as much as physical. Sometimes I serve my second serve (kick serve) as my first serve. The pressure you feel is all in your head. I’ve said this in quite a few threads already, but your match starts before you get on the court. Get your head right before you set foot on that court.

Also I’ve taped a piece sports tape to my racquet. I wrote the word UNSTOPPABLE on it. I look down at it when I play and it reminds me to believe in myself and play my game. Find your word and get inspired and motivated by it.


This is where I got the idea from.

 

[the 10s n00b]

thanks i really like that clip^^ and had quite the winning steak and felt unstoppable before i played these no ad matches but yeah wtt is interesting... I have played leagues where lets are played and abbreviated sets but none of that fazed me like no ads lol

 

[Dartagnan64]

I think thats important for no ad.. but im so used to thinking about it because i would always want a perfect 0,0 and wouldn't settle for less... If i won 0,0 (and I usually did) I could go home and relax but in the case where it was something else (usually 0,1 1,0 2,0 1,1) I wouldn't reward myself.

You are clearly just beating up on inferior competition and need to challenge yourself. The first hint of challenge (the pressure of a no ad scoring system) and you are on this board complaining about it.

Play better players, build up some mental toughness and learn to win a game point for all the marbles. No ad is just an ad-in/ad-out situation combined. Or look at it as the last point of a game. Every tennis game ever has been won by the guy that wins the last point. This is no different. Start viewing all potential game points as the last point and you'll be tougher mentally. Rise to the challenge. Don't whine.

 

[the 10s n00b]

You are clearly just beating up on inferior competition and need to challenge yourself. The first hint of challenge (the pressure of a no ad scoring system) and you are on this board complaining about it.

Play better players, build up some mental toughness and learn to win a game point for all the marbles. No ad is just an ad-in/ad-out situation combined. Or look at it as the last point of a game. Every tennis game ever has been won by the guy that wins the last point. This is no different. Start viewing all potential game points as the last point and you'll be tougher mentally. Rise to the challenge. Don't whine.

Regarding the inferior competition I am always looking to play the strongest players available to me so i think more of the issue is changing my perspective on no ad scoring.


Alongside that I think another problem is practice for me (I should play practice sets no ad)... I guess its kinda like studying for an exam... lets say your exam is timed but when you take your practice tests you don't time them. There's going to be an added element of pressure and it would be a lot easier to deal with that if you had your practice tests timed.

 

[schmke]

Regarding the inferior competition I am always looking to play the strongest players available to me so i think more of the issue is changing my perspective on no ad scoring.

What level of play is this? Or what type of league? Just wondering about how much variation there is in the level of competition you are facing.

 

[the 10s n00b]

What level of play is this? Or what type of league? Just wondering about how much variation there is in the level of competition you are facing.

ntrp 5.5 level (and the higher you get the less amount of potential challengers there are)

 

[Dartagnan64]

ntrp 5.5 level (and the higher you get the less amount of potential challengers there are)

Well that is true. If you are playing 5.5, then 95% of the rec players available to you are weaker. You are in the netherworld of "Too good for most people" but "Not good enough to be a pro".

5.5 players don't play leagues around here. They go into Open level tournaments for competition and have a small cadre of similarly skilled buddies they hit with for practice. Or they give up tennis entirely since they are typically young and starting jobs and families. It's hard to stay at 5.5 without playing a lot.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Regarding the inferior competition I am always looking to play the strongest players available to me so i think more of the issue is changing my perspective on no ad scoring.


Alongside that I think another problem is practice for me (I should play practice sets no ad)... I guess its kinda like studying for an exam... lets say your exam is timed but when you take your practice tests you don't time them. There's going to be an added element of pressure and it would be a lot easier to deal with that if you had your practice tests timed.

Additionally, the practice test is so easy you regularly score 100% but the real test is much more difficult.