Playing Better After Watching Pros?

[BMC9670]

Whenever I watch pros too much, I play much worse. The #1 key point of successful tennis, playing the percentages, gets lost after I watch them rip the ball, and I turn into a ballbasher error machine that tries to rip all the balls like the pros.

I see this in some of the juniors I work with. They go for the "highlight" shots too often or overhit in general. To your point, I use it to teach them the right time to go for the big shot verses playing within themselves to set up "the shot".

It took some time to get my son to realize that hitting a "winner" doesn't have to be ripping a highlight shot. Set up the point, open up the court, and winners come more often. Doesn't look as cool, but a winner is a winner.

 

[torpantennis]

I see this in some of the juniors I work with. They go for the "highlight" shots too often or overhit in general. To your point, I use it to teach them the right time to go for the big shot verses playing within themselves to set up "the shot".

It took some time to get my son to realize that hitting a "winner" doesn't have to be ripping a highlight shot. Set up the point, open up the court, and winners come more often. Doesn't look as cool, but a winner is a winner.

I've finally about gotten rid of that childish desire to hit those "highlight reel ripping winners". But what I now try to learn and get inspired from the pros is the never give up attitude! Nowadays most of my highlight reel shots are some full stretch slice/squash shot passing shots. Man, the look on the opponent's face after I draw one of those. :lol:

 

[BMC9670]

I've finally about gotten rid of that childish desire to hit those "highlight reel ripping winners". But what I now try to learn and get inspired from the pros is the never give up attitude! Nowadays most of my highlight reel shots are some full stretch slice/squash shot passing shots. Man, the look on the opponent's face after I draw one of those. :lol:

Well, it's still part of what makes the game fun, right?

 

[torpantennis]

Well, it's still part of what makes the game fun, right?

TBH, drawing those "impossible shots" is more fun that just ripping the ball!

 

[magnut]

Whenever I watch pros too much, I play much worse. The #1 key point of successful tennis, playing the percentages, gets lost after I watch them rip the ball, and I turn into a ballbasher error machine that tries to rip all the balls like the pros.

Instead, what we should learn from pros is to always stay in YOUR OWN comfort zone. Even though the pros do rip the ball, they still stay in their comfort zone and so should us!

you have to not get sucked into watching "shots". Focus on things like shot selection and how they play score. also movements and court positioning. If you try to just go out and mimic pros your going to come up short because ....they are good.

If your in a rut and need to watch some of your favorite player to get inspired theres nothing wrong with that either. motivation is the key. Staying motivated is not always easy. especially as you get older and have more responsibilities...kids, work, chores .....whatever. I train a lot and sometimes I just dont want to. so I might make a pot of coffee and watch a rocky film... which is all fake. whatever works for you. whatever triggers your mind. sampras used to watch footage of cheetahs running after prey. It was some sort of visualization switch for him. He wanted to move that way.

 

[Maximagq]

You mean 6294 posts = self-rated 5.0. You forgot that part. :wink:

Lol who here is a legit 5.0 NTRP rated that I could play a match against as a barometer? Anyone up for it? We need a sample size of at least 3 players.

 

[Nostradamus]

Lol who here is alright 5.0 NTRP rated that I could play a match against as a barometer? Anyone up for it? We need a sample size of at least 3 players.

that dude LeeD that you were playing doubles with was Not good.....he needs to improve the serve return game.