Played 1 set with a pusher

SlapChop

Semi-Pro
It has been a little over a week since I have even had any match play (the last match I played really doesn't even count).

Match started off me serving. I took the first match pretty easy playing off my serve I was thinking I am going to cake walk through this game.

Next match he is serving. He didn't have alot on his serves but they where putting me out wide. That is when I realized I was going against a pusher. Everything I was sending over was coming back, so I added pace ball came back with pace. Then I was trying to nail some winners so I started chalking up the UE's. He holds his serve.

Next match I'm serving I decide I need to heat up my serve and try to really challenge him with some pace. Well I hadn't really warmed up my first serve before the match so that was totally my fault. I don't think I ever even got one of my flat first serves in, I did get a double fault, and was working off a weak kick serve since I was pretty much only getting second serve in. The whole I'm going to add a ton of pace and hit harder didn't pay off His balls where just coming back faster. He broke my serve.

Now he's serving my new game plan is to try to just hang out and push and try to out push him. We start going long rallys but I am giving up court because my shots aren't getting a ton of depth because I am focusing on trying to just keep sending the ball back. He gets up about 30 - 0 and I am thinking this is going to get ugly. I then decide to go for some angles and start working on making him run. That paid off I came back to deuce and we battled out but I broke the serve.

Finally I had a plan angles and junk balls. I just started working the farthest shot I could from him and if I couldn't get direction I was sending junk balls. However every match I would give him something different. I came in on the next for one. Sent tons of slices and corner shots on another. My favorite of the junk balling was when I put up a short ball and brought him to the net I think his only time to come to the net. So I sent back a nice super spinny junk shot. He put his racket up for the volley and it spun right up it and dropped into the net.

The over all set score didn't really reflect the game but I took it 6 - 2 but it was alot of back and forth every match. usually 30 - 40 for the match points with a few nice deuce matches mixed in. Only reason I really came out on top was because I won the critical points and he didn't. This game could have easily gone the other way if I didn't up the pressure on the bigger points.

I was pretty happy with my play but I still need to develop a more aggressive baseline shot. I started winning more points when I was going deep with my shots but I didn't really have what I would consider enough pace on them and every time I tried to force pace I was getting the UE's.

What I need to work on now is generating more pace and keeping my accuracy. Tips?
 

SlapChop

Semi-Pro
I am going to give that a try. I had a blow out on my shoe chasing a wide shot. So I really need to get to the shop. That Radical is awesome for control but I need some serious pop more for my manhood than anything else.


I also bought a K 6 1 95. Should have it either today or monday.
 

SlapChop

Semi-Pro
One thing about the YT Radical MP though is it is a masterpiece for the junk ball. I can send skiddies, weird hoppers, sideways bouncers, and ones that just stick when they land.
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
And a very tiny percentage of players seem to think the key is patience, careful aggressive shot selection, solid posture and balance, and nothing to do with your racket or strings.
 

SlapChop

Semi-Pro
I don't know what it is. When I played an OS racket I had tons of freakin power. I have been playing this racket for quite a while a prefer it way over my old one but it also the first and only MP i have ever played so I wanted to try an MP with a larger sweetspot hence the K.6.1.95
 

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Some people think that and OS racket promotes power for players with short slow swings, while a mid or 90 racket helps players with big fast swings to control their power.
OTOH, against soft slow incoming balls, a bigger racket usually DOES add easy access to extra power.
 

cork_screw

Hall of Fame
The way you're describing it sounds like games when you say "matches." Do you mean games or sets? Because everytime you say matches, it sounds like you're describing something else.
 

obtn

Rookie
It has been a little over a week since I have even had any match play (the last match I played really doesn't even count).

Match started off me serving. I took the first match pretty easy playing off my serve I was thinking I am going to cake walk through this game.

Next match he is serving. He didn't have alot on his serves but they where putting me out wide. That is when I realized I was going against a pusher. Everything I was sending over was coming back, so I added pace ball came back with pace. Then I was trying to nail some winners so I started chalking up the UE's. He holds his serve.

Sounds more like a counterpuncher with a good wide serve than a pusher... just saying...
 

SlapChop

Semi-Pro
I labeled him more of a pusher because of slower movement and alot of repetitive shots. However when I was testing the strategy of just sending shots back and my power level come down he did come in on the court almost to the service line to keep me back, however there was no aggressiveness at this time, he was hitting the same shots from there as he was from the baseline. Only one game was played with me hitting that weak though and it didn't work for me.

Depth was essential in this match, power/pace didn't seem to effect the point at all.
 
My best strategy against a pusher is to attack..and put pressure on them. I serve and volley and approach a lot. They sometimes get one past me, but I win most of them and keeps the pressure on them to go out of their comfort zone and put more pace on it to pass me..and they eventually break down.

Grats on your win.

Lead tape does give you more power and depth on your shots..you might want to balance it out by putting lead tape in the hoop and in the handle so you keep the balance of the racquet.

6.1 95 is a great racquet. You should enjoy it.
 

jmverdugo

Hall of Fame
Use more topspin than usual, approach with slices and try to win the point at the net, try to volley short and in angle and not so much deep and pray to the lord that your smash is working that day! and also be patience and if you decide to hit with a lot of pace expect for the unexpected, most of the time not even they konw where the ball is going...
 
And a very tiny percentage of players seem to think the key is patience, careful aggressive shot selection, solid posture and balance, and nothing to do with your racket or strings.

Don't be ridiculous! ;) The obvious key is the proper footwear. Witness the blow-out the OP suffered. Isn't it obvious? Without proper footing/traction, how is he to remain patient, sustain good balance, and make intelligent shot selections? :confused: :) BHBH
 
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nickarnold2000

Hall of Fame
I labeled him more of a pusher because of slower movement and alot of repetitive shots. However when I was testing the strategy of just sending shots back and my power level come down he did come in on the court almost to the service line to keep me back, however there was no aggressiveness at this time, he was hitting the same shots from there as he was from the baseline. Only one game was played with me hitting that weak though and it didn't work for me.

Depth was essential in this match, power/pace didn't seem to effect the point at all.
Actually, hitting the ball deep is the #1(or, close to it) rule in tennis. Except if you're intentionally hitting short to draw someone into the net.
 

andfor

Legend
Serve out wide and hit to the corners against a pusher. Run him and do not let him control the middle. Close out points at the net when given the opportunity.

Note about true pushers. Many of them hate the net and can be brought in and passed.
 
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