S&V-not_dead_yet
Talk Tennis Guru
I think that's a better way of looking at it than the typical sour grapes attitude of "they aren't even playing real tennis [like I am]. i could easily beat him but he doesn't play right."
Not good enough to beat a pusher
I think that's a better way of looking at it than the typical sour grapes attitude of "they aren't even playing real tennis [like I am]. i could easily beat him but he doesn't play right."
Znak
Hall of Fame
This was invaluable to me, as it was my main focus, (that an coming more towards the net). Won my pro-set ladder match 8-3 today
TimeToPlaySets
Legend
This is exactly the mindset of a pusher. Finds weakness. Exploits it.
ttc2000
Rookie
Try to be a pusher yourself for a few shots in a rally and revert back when you get the right ball to attack.
It actually does wonders because the weaker opponent even though they have proper technique will destroy themselves with unforced errors.
Another benefit is that they will not get any rhythm from you because they are not sure what to expect.
In general having less unforced errors 8/10 times should see yourself the winner.
Sent from my SM-G9550 using Tapatalk
It actually does wonders because the weaker opponent even though they have proper technique will destroy themselves with unforced errors.
Another benefit is that they will not get any rhythm from you because they are not sure what to expect.
In general having less unforced errors 8/10 times should see yourself the winner.
Sent from my SM-G9550 using Tapatalk
ttc2000
Rookie
2 years ago we had Allen Belobrajdic former ATP player ranked 146 and he was 40 years old then.
He participated in a big local tournament that attracts people from all over the world to participate including some lowly ranked professionals.
In the mens 35+ category no one got close to him. He destroyed everyone using a slice backhand and topspin forehand.
We had guys that smack the cover of the ball that struggled to win a game because he will neutralize everything and place the shots back that was uncomfortable.
In the mens open we had another lowly ranked professional play him and the rallies went on forever 20-30+ shots most of the time.
The younger pro retired in the end. Allen is super fit.
In the Mens open final we had a local professional that was 17 years old and ranked ATP 900+ that played Allen and believe me the 17 year old struggled.
Just managed to beat Allen 7-6, 3-6, 6-4 if I remember correctly.
Not saying Allen is a pusher, but he hardly made many unforced errors.
It goes to show that control and placement wins more than the power player, so sometimes I think is it worth wasting so much energy to smack the cover of the ball.
At the end of the day I think as amateurs or people that want to go pro should learn to play against all types of players and deal with it.
We will never improve by making excuses or moaning.
Sent from my SM-G9550 using Tapatalk
Hmgraphite1
Hall of Fame
I switched to a control racquet with a thinner string its transforming my game . Coupled with playing more often starting to see results after a dismal 2017This was invaluable to me, as it was my main focus, (that an coming more towards the net). Won my pro-set ladder match 8-3 today
Bender
G.O.A.T.
I think the part that people forget when it comes to stories like this is that someone like Allen has years and years of experience playing against people who hit extremely hard and fast, so anyone who hits just as hard is not special--it'd just another day in the office for him.
It's difficult to say that amateurs like us can do even remotely close to the same thing because his reaction, movement, anticipation, setup, etc are at a whole different level. Allen has the control and placement because he's playing well below his competition level, which is extremely high compared to everyone else that isn't an ATP pro.
That ability to control and place the ball so well doesn't come from merely controlling and placing the ball well for several years; it's from having practised his hard hitting money-on-the-line game for so long that anything less than belting the ball becomes merely an exercise in pointing and shooting, and you can only reach that level by pushing your own level as hard as possible, ie hitting as hard as you can for sustained periods, for as long as possible.
I remember Toni and Rafa Nadal saying that when Rafa started, it was all about Rafa being able to hit as hard as possible first and then trying to tinker with those shots until they landed in consistently. That's why guys who pick up tennis solely to win social doubles never improve even after 20+ years of play; because even a technically-bizarre shot can be consistent, accurate, and controllable with enough repetition when pace is not a factor, whereas guys who try to learn properly will lose to everyone left and right for years because a fast, technically-correct swing has far more components that will go awry, and therefore needs significantly more time investment before it becomes truly dependable.
It's like watching someone like Santoro giving Safin a meltdown and concluding that all you need to do is junkball Safin for an easy win--it doesn't quite work that way.
I think that's because the term 'pusher' on this forum is an umbrella term for anyone that doesn't mindlessly bash the ball.
If you are just throwing weak stuff out there even lower level players will be able to capitalize on it. OTOH, if your opponent is making you run around, changing speeds, making you uncomfortable...that's not really a pusher, and that type of play can bother even very high level players if you do it well.
However because the opponent didn't really bash the ball and the losing player felt he/she was in every point, many rec players come away with the feeling that it was something wrong they did and they categorize the winner as a pusher.
By the same token, high level players (both rec and pros) who can generate massive topspin due to tremendous rhs have got there too via years of dedicated practice. Yet a lot of beginners try to emulate that. Look at this forum. Anytime someone asks for advice, you have freeze frame shots of how a pro does it.
Some say it's better to play controlled and slowly add power. Others say it's better to start off with power and build control. Ultimately there's nothing wrong with either way. It all depends upon what works best for you.
user92626
G.O.A.T.
You have to give the losing player in this case some credit for being self-centered and somewhat confident in their own ability. Meaning, they believe the result is on their racket and totally ignore the skill of the winner/pusher. Eh?
Well, if they think that way, then my earlier post is right on for encouraging them to not allow that to happen. They gotta dictate the points. See how that works?
(That's only ..encouragement. In reality, which they'll have to catch up to eventually, that's not really how it really is. Tennis is a two side equation. You can only do so much on your side. There's another side controlled by the opponent)
Znak
Hall of Fame
Just as an update since this thread has come back alive:
Invariably this came down to just playing more those types of players — I got alot more comfortable with it and have to say I ended the summer season on a positive note. Someone on this thread gave me the advice to zero-in on larger/easier targets such as the service box, and to gently push them around the court as opposed to trying to laser crazy angles... this for me, while obvious, was invaluable. I'm shopping around for some action cams, hopefully will post some game footage in the near future.
Invariably this came down to just playing more those types of players — I got alot more comfortable with it and have to say I ended the summer season on a positive note. Someone on this thread gave me the advice to zero-in on larger/easier targets such as the service box, and to gently push them around the court as opposed to trying to laser crazy angles... this for me, while obvious, was invaluable. I'm shopping around for some action cams, hopefully will post some game footage in the near future.
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
Goddamn the Pusher (man)
Similar threads
