Practice Etiquette

[Pusher55]

How realistic is it to find a practice partner that actually wants to hit a lot of balls and keep the ball in play?

Most practice partners I encounter will purposely attempt to hit an immediate winner on the 2nd or 3rd shot. Same thing at the net - the guy immediately goes for a passing shot winner, even though I am the one trying to keep the ball in play for longer than 1 or 2 shots.

I find the session unproductive because I hit very few balls. A lot of time is spent picking up errant balls. It seems the other guy is perfectly ok with this.

I usually start play and hit the ball to the other guy, expecting a little cooperation, especially as we are warming up. But the usual response is an attempted winner, often over-hit and/or unreturnable.

Besides finding another partner, what can I do? Should I start play with a hard shot and completely away from the partner and constantly attempt winners, putting the other guy on the defensive and possibly increasing the likelihood for a sequence that lasts longer than 2 or 3 balls?

Right now it seems my only other option is the ball machine.

 

[LeeD]

Very common at levels below 3.5, but not often seen once the tennis level get's above 4.5.
Do you advertise that you are a pusher? That might be a signal for the other guy to start working on his winners.

 

[Pusher55]

Not a pusher.

The username is kind of an inside joke - a pusher with a 5.5 rating.

 

[LeeD]

Are you saying that you are a 5.5 player, but can't find practice partner's who want to hit dozens of balls each rally?
Are sure you know what 5.5 level is?

 

[Kam2010]

Reminds me /finalfantasy7 hes always trying to hit winners until I shut him up after a few backhand winners.

 

[Pusher55]

I guess I can try hitting winners early on and see if the practice session is more worthwhile.

 

[BMC9670]

Why not just talk to him and come to an understanding about what you both want out of the session? For example, spend some time hitting a lot of balls and then play out some points....win/win.

 

[user92626]

Do you consider the fact that they simply can't due to their skill?

Some people can't maintain their focus and intensity for long.

Be glad that it's just a practicing. It's super annoying when they're your partners in a match.

 

[Topspin Shot]

I know. It can be kind of frustrating; you just have to find the right guy. I'm surprised you can't at the 5.5 level. I mean, there are some guys at that level who are like you say, but there are many others who are very consistent.

 

[Pusher55]

Have already done that several times. He is either unwilling (most likely) or unable to do so. I can only guess he is very stubborn, one-dimensional, and ultra competitive.

I actually have found advanced women make better hitting partners. They are usually more consistent and will not over-hit as much.

 

[tennisnj]

Basically you need to find a hitting partner who has "been there, done that". A player who has played enough tournaments & doesn't have time to play one a week anymore, or doesn't have the want any longer to put their needs on the court first. Someone who is looking to give back to the game. That & someone who has the consistency of a brick wall.

 

[Velvet Ga el]

Why not just talk to him and come to an understanding about what you both want out of the session? For example, spend some time hitting a lot of balls and then play out some points....win/win.

Underrated post for a lot of problems that get posted here.

Have already done that several times. He is either unwilling (most likely) or unable to do so. I can only guess he is very stubborn, one-dimensional, and ultra competitive.

I actually have found advanced women make better hitting partners. They are usually more consistent and will not over-hit as much.

Assuming you're replying to BMC, then it's time to find a new hitting partner. You already posted one solution above. If you are in a league, asking your club pro for recommendations for hitting partners is another.

 

[sureshs]

Third ball is fair game, but should still be controlled, e.g. drop shots are an irritation. I have had such partners occasionally, but they change once they realize I am not going to make an attempt to retrieve unreasonably hit balls during practice. They soon get the message.

 

[Pusher55]

Velvet: You are correct. Probably time to find new hitting partners.

Sureshs: My guys don't get the message. They repeatedly attempt winners on balls I intentionally hit to them in an effort to keep the ball in play. Sometimes they even pump their fist and yell "come on!" Lol.

 

[sureshs]

Velvet: You are correct. Probably time to find new hitting partners.

Sureshs: My guys don't get the message. They repeatedly attempt winners on balls I intentionally hit to them in an effort to keep the ball in play. Sometimes they even pump their fist and yell "come on!" Lol.

If you still value them, and it is clear they won't change, I suggest that you ask them to play practice points beginning with a serve. This way, you can actually benefit from their aggressiveness. I do it all the time even with regular guys. It keeps you in the match-playing groove even if you are not playing matches.

 

[10isfreak]

In theory, an adult should be capable of understanding a requirement from your part. After all, they're humans, not dogs, and as such it would be worthwhile to blatantly ask for long lasting rallies -- that is, for them to try their best to keep the ball within your hitting range so that you can groove your strokes properly.

 

[Pusher55]

Thanks. Good idea. I recognized this a while back and suggested we play points/sets for the exact reason you mentioned.

The only problem is I usually do organized match play at least twice a week, so I actually need some practice time.

 

[goran_ace]

OP, I hear ya. My frustration when hitting with 3.5/4.0 players is not as much that they don't hit a heavy ball, but that they can't sustain a decent rally and you don't get to hit a lot of balls. It's like they try to hit too hard against me and they can't sustain a rally or if playing out points they try hitting shots they have no business trying in that situation or from that position.

 

[vandre]

Sureshs: My guys don't get the message. They repeatedly attempt winners on balls I intentionally hit to them in an effort to keep the ball in play. Sometimes they even pump their fist and yell "come on!" Lol.

dude, i didn't know you were practicing with hewitt! :twisted:

when it's just a hit (no points) i really like to hit alot of shots and work on my movement. i agree that if you want to hit alot of shots in practice, its better to practice with a woman.

 

[lpth]

I think the OP question has been answer: incompatible hitting partner, time to try another.

In my experience finding someone to play a match is easy, but finding a compatible hitting partner is difficult.

I'm male, and I also prefer Women hitting partners, but its been more difficult to find

 

[hawk eye]

Yes the issue the OP describes is very common.
That's also why I believe for most people those 'progression'drills from essential tennis, FYB are not doable in actual practice. Who is willing feed you in all those different ways (including hand feeds) to build up your groundstrokes, volleys and overheads? You have to have someone who wants to work on the same things as you do, ine xactly the same manner and with the same intensity. Then it's a mutual thing. Not easy to find, if you ask me.

 

[hawk eye]

Yes, you can buy a ball machine. But not everyone can afford that.
Besides, it must very boring to practice like that all the time.