Pushers Anonymous (Pushers Only!)

great, i am very fit and also i am very fast. also i plan on playing more competitive matches in the near future.
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Yeah I saw your overhead video - you have all the tools to be a top notch pusher. (4.5 level) But I don't think you have the mentality. Like most rec players the urge to just unleash full on winners will be to strong.

It's like in baseball - there is nothing better then swinging with as much might as you can muster and connecting with the ball.

I live for the easy overhead for this reason. Its my favorite shot. :P

Committing to pushing is a mistake it allows you to rise up a level (or in your case many two or three) from where you would play normally but it hurts your progress in the long run.

(This is REAL pushing - not the made up catergory of pushers that hit like pros but play defensive tennis).
 
darthpanda said:
great, i am very fit and also i am very fast. also i plan on playing more competitive matches in the near future.
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Good that you understand the "requirement" I laid out. Don't worry about whether pushing or otherwise is a good fit (or a mistake) or what. It's very much a personality thing. I push and play out at a level that only I understand. It's not black or white. Your competitiveness dictates the what level is most successful for you.
 
Steady Eddy said:
^^Do you feel that people often underestimate you because you don't swing as hard as you can? .
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That's the impression I got yesterday. Good placement, shot selection, and not making unforced errors are the keys to my game. Most of the people I usually hit with I've been hitting with for a longtime.
 
GuyClinch said:
In a drill class lots of guy will try to hit out.. because it doesn't really matter if they shank balls. If its a match some players get a lot more selective..
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Well it matters if you want to win and stay on the "champions" side of the court. Most of these guys were really competitive, almost to the point of being an "a" hole. This one guy threw a fit because I hit a hard hit ball, while I was at the net, that was going out. "Ahh, man... I don't believe it!". I guess he realized he was being a jerk as he said "sorry, that was one where you only have a split second to decide whether to hit or not." A couple other guys whined over the score. Not like they were spraying errors everywhere, they were pretty good.
 
what's the opposite of pusher? And what's a pusher?
From what I understand , a "pusher" it's a player that rebounds the ball off the racket into the court by "pushing"


antonyms
Hitter? Puller? Swinger? Spinner?blaster?

synonyms
stroker?retriever? chipper?blocker? lobber?
 
Spin Doctor said:
You're not a pusher. You really need to get over the fact that you're not a pusher.

A real pusher would get killed in doubles with any decent opponents at net. And most pushers suck at net.
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If you can get Brad Gilbert to write a retraction on the definition of pusher, as well as Wikipedia, and every other source, then I will admit I'm not a pusher... and give a full refund to every member of Pushers Anonymous.
 
+1 .
winstonlim8 said:
Hallelujah! Finally someone has the courage to say it!

I have never understood the antipathy for a style of play that works for so many people. I don't like playing pushers or counterpunchers or grinders but I don't have a problem if someone chooses to play that way and beats me. It just means I'm not good enough to win against him.

I don't see it as evidence of my lack of testosterone, just proof that I am not mentally strong and/or disciplined enough to carry out a sustained and concerted attack good enough to beat him.
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You just called Brad Gilbert a brainless fool who used to be a tennis player. Someone please tell me this is just a dream.
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He is a jock who said some stupid stuff to sell books. His game is not related to your average 3.5 pusher. He hit bigger and hit more winners then all but 6.0 players on these boards.

Trying to tie these two players together was stupid..just like calling Borg a pusher is stupid. Brad Gilbert is a jock - not a god.
 
Yeah, used to watch Stu Miller of the SFGiants throw fastballs around 83 mph, and his other pitches slower by far. He was OK, as a novelty alternative.
This was during Bob Gibson's years, or around then, who could throw 102mph.
 
LeeD said:
Yeah, used to watch Stu Miller of the SFGiants throw fastballs around 83 mph, and his other pitches slower by far. He was OK, as a novelty alternative.
This was during Bob Gibson's years, or around then, who could throw 102mph.
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What major league pitcher use to throw a "moonball" like the one in video... Louis Tiant maybe? Around mid to late 70's. Seemed effective when hitter not expecting. Funny to see the big swings and misses.
 
Haha love the thread name! Check out Frank Giampaolo's The Tennis Parent's Bible, available from Tennis Warehouse, for great strategy when matching up with different styles of players.
 
I must admit fellow pushers... I've been cheating on you. :-(

I've been taking tennis lessons under cover of dark. I think I'm becoming, "one of them".... a dreaded ball basher!

I know it's a long slow transformation, and it it may not take. But the process has started. I'm scared. Just thought I should let you know.
 
I just lost 3 set match to a pusher. I think though I gave the match away in early poor service game. The thing with pushers, if you're playing them, you beat them or beat yourself, you decide the match. All their shots are nuetral safe shots that land in with no aces. But no UE and no double faults either (this could vary but often they dink the second serve in eliminating any chance of UE). Everytime I've played this guy (and any of his matches) they end up tie breakers and three setters. What annoys me is that I know what works, the high backhand and to the net finish the point, but during a match when given no pace in rallies, you tend to get tired from doing all the harder hitting and lulled into pushing yourself! Then forget about the real strategy of backhand and to the net. Then you lose like Mr. Lob accurately and humurosly states 7-5 in the third. That's what happened. Not funny pushers. But you 'sort of win' in the end though.
 
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Played three sets against a guy a few days ago. I won all three. For the first two, he was hitting. Thought he would tap out ofter going down 6-3 6-2. Challenged me to to a third set to my surprise.

Started pushing for the whole set. In my mind, I was like....dude this is sad. I understand a change of tactics, but where's your manhood? :twisted:

Anyways, he went down 6-2. :)
 
Wow a monster thread. Now I respect the pusher and push myself, it is after all the easiest way to win. However I think the problem is that there are so players called pusher. Lets look at the variety.

1)Lob queens- weakest of the breed, as the name suggests found in the women's game mainly. Only real shot is to endless lob everything back. Easy to beat, because their lobs tend to go deep and give you plenty of time.

2)The true pusher-This player has incomplete bizarre pokey shots, runs arround alot and a nothing serve. Looks terrible, nightmare to play against, because there no pace balls are diffcult to generate pace off, and they don't miss.

3)Slice king-Some would call this guy a pusher, he doesn't play with pace, but underestimate him at your peril. I say him, I have rarely seen a women play this way. This guy loves to slice, keep the ball low, pull ball bashers into the net, and torment them with low bounces. Actually a very clever player.

4)The steady player-Alot of you are calling this type of player a pusher, they are not. They have correct stroke technique, can hit FH/BH spins and more than often slice. They don't have a big weapon, so get everything back, but there shots aren't pushed. Just controlled and well placed.

I'm sure there are more types and in the real world people are combinations of styles.
 
zaph said:
Wow a monster thread. Now I respect the pusher and push myself, it is after all the easiest way to win. However I think the problem is that there are so players called pusher. .
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Thanks for the feedback. Pushers demand your respect.. or you will lose to them. And yes, many different styles and levels of pushers, which some here just fail to grasp. Announcers even used the term "pushing" during a match yesterday at F.O. Can't recall the match.
 
Lobbers are very good for doubles IMHO. I am not sure they are the weakest of the breed. They can take someone's net game away and force people to hit overheads.

Lob return in doubles - great shot. It's really great against the 'camp' at the net doubles partner..
 
GuyClinch said:
Lobbers are very good for doubles IMHO. I am not sure they are the weakest of the breed. They can take someone's net game away and force people to hit overheads.

Lob return in doubles - great shot. It's really great against the 'camp' at the net doubles partner..
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I always found them easy. For a start if my partner has a good smash, the lobber is finished.

Even if that is not the case I can just send a high topspin shot back. The lob queen has little spin on her shot, so my shots are more accurate. Eventually the spin breaks them, or they hit a lob too short and I put it away.

I love playing against them, it is great shot making practice.
 
I played a league match yesterday. During the warm up it was apparent that it was not the best of the days.
Remembering this thread and Mr Lob, i decided to push.

I served exclusively topspin/kick serves at low pace to start the rally and took pace off my groundies.

After 75 minutes in 35 deg C, i won the pro set at 8-6. It gave me immense pleasure to see my opponent winded out and cursing.

Long live Pushing!
 
OTMPut said:
I played a league match yesterday. During the warm up it was apparent that it was not the best of the days.
Remembering this thread and Mr Lob, i decided to push.

I served exclusively topspin/kick serves at low pace to start the rally and took pace off my groundies.

After 75 minutes in 35 deg C, i won the pro set at 8-6. It gave me immense pleasure to see my opponent winded out and cursing.

Long live Pushing!
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"Long Live Pushing"... I'm telling you man, reading that makes all the pusher persecution I've had to endure worthwhile. Brings a tear to my pusher eyes. :-(

Thanks for sharing another pusher success story.

PUSHERS SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH!!!
 
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OMG, I was yet again having so much fun with pushing in doubles. Two guys together struggling and cursing themselves, on a slippery clay court with my slow pushes and lobs, weird bounces, slices and push placements. I was all LOL, so was my teammate!
 
There's been a lot of "Pusher" discussions in the forum lately. I decided to bump this thread up to help those who may be in need.
 
Aren't we all pushers when we know that our weapons can't hurt the opponent?

I revert to "pushing" as often as I need to. Sometimes I just have to make my opponent take the risks.
 
I can think of two very good pushers at my club. Both are tall and wiry with great speed. They are very good and getting the ball back at depth and moving you.

All pushers are consistent but not all have strong serves, versatile strokes and the ability to hit hard when they choose. When you have a pusher with an extensive arsenal they can be hard to overcome and will beat you in a tie break by a slender margin. But pushers are a mirror image of your own game and a great learning tool.
 
Cool place. I didn't know that there was such a thread. I do like to push from time to time so I guess I'll be an honorary pusher.
 
I believe it was Kierkegaard who said something along the lines of, "Do not label me, lest ye negate me." A pusher is defined by his own terms. We should all respect and approve that choice. A pusher can't be defined and put into a small box. So let's not get into the, "You're not a pusher... this is the definition of a pusher" debate. We've already done that.

So, I'll start... I'm a pusher... and I'm proud of it!

Who's next?
 
Words that cannot be defined have no meaning...

For the club level a better term is 'dinker' as that implies what pushing used to imply. In recent years the pushers have tried to cast their lot in with Murray and Nadal - when in reality they aren't even playing the same sport. Dinker cuts to the heart of the matter and describes pushers perfectly.
 
GuyClinch said:
Words that cannot be defined have no meaning...

For the club level a better term is 'dinker' as that implies what pushing used to imply. In recent years the pushers have tried to cast their lot in with Murray and Nadal - when in reality they aren't even playing the same sport. Dinker cuts to the heart of the matter and describes pushers perfectly.
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Me thinks thou protest too much. You a closet pusher ain't ya guysclinch? That must be the reason you've taken such a negative and hostile outlook towards pushers. You don't like what you see in the mirror.

Well, you've come to the right place brother. With extensive therapy and support from your pusher brethren, we can help support, encourage and nurture the pusher inside of you that is just dieing to get out. Don't believe me? Ask Bruce Jenner. :shock:
 
I think a better term, to fit a wider range of levels, would not be a "pusher"; instead, you should call that person a "backboard".

I was a pusher until my strokes were enough that I had to adjust my game so I would be a better player. But I still play a very consistent game, just now there is much more play with pace and general aggression especially. (I currently play at a 4.5 level)
 
The definitive definition of a pusher

If winning is more important to you than your style of play, then you are by definition a pusher.

I resort to conservative tennis (aka pushing) whenever my opponent doesn't like it.
 
babar said:
I am not a pusher. However, I love to play pushers. They truly challenge me to play my best.
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Contrasting styles always make for good tennis. Sampras versus Agassi. Nadal versus Federer. Pusher against ballbasher always draw interest in which style will win.
 
Hit some nice winners the other day during a doubles match. Cross court backhand winner from deep in my ad court... under heavy pressure. Backhand down the line winner on a serve. Many put away smashes at the net. Dude returns a short ball at my throat, I crisply volley the shot away. As a semi-reformed pusher, I hate to say... it felt good. Damn good. Where has this pusher gone wrong?
 
I think that behind people's own issues playing pushers are fundamental problems with their own games. That being serve and return.

If you have a decent serve and a good return game then a lot of rallies shouldn't even get beyond a handful of strokes and into those extended rallies where pushers thrive.

If you can only dolly over a first or second serve and cant capitalize on the return then it doesn't matter who you're playing you're not a good tennis player.
 
Me thinks thou protest too much. You a closet pusher ain't ya guysclinch? That must be the reason you've taken such a negative and hostile outlook towards pushers. You don't like what you see in the mirror.
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Never claimed to be a big hitter - I tighten up sometimes and dink it. But this is a problem to be solved - not something to be embraced. There are two basic aspects to tennis - getting to balls and then doing something with them.

I find that lots of players can get to alot of balls - but they can't do anything with them. They can't hit out - and keep the ball in the court. This is what you want to work on to avoid pushing. (Pushing in the classic sense not hitting like Nadal with sick topspin)..this is why i think the term 'dinker' works better.
 
Why are you pushers ANONYMOUS if you are coming out of the closet?
 
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GuyClinch said:
Never claimed to be a big hitter - I tighten up sometimes and dink it. But this is a problem to be solved - not something to be embraced. There are two basic aspects to tennis - getting to balls and then doing something with them.

I find that lots of players can get to alot of balls - but they can't do anything with them. They can't hit out - and keep the ball in the court. This is what you want to work on to avoid pushing. (Pushing in the classic sense not hitting like Nadal with sick topspin)..this is why i think the term 'dinker' works better.
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Fair enough. But if someone enjoys being a pusher or a dinker, why not embrace it? It's certainly nothing to be ashamed of. If that's how they like to play and they're comfortable with it. Why not. What gives one player the right to push their standards of play onto someone else. This is referred to in our charter as "pusher persecution". Pushers are not second class citizens.

If you've ever coached youth basketball, one of the hardest thing to teach a player is aggression. How to play tough. It's pretty much inside you or its not. Same thing with hitting a tennis ball. It's takes a long time to overcome passive tendencies. Even see it with most of the pros, the pressure is on, they stop being aggressive. They play not to lose, instead of to win. It's human nature though. Some people are born pushers, some ball bashers and some in between. Skill level immaterial for most players.
 
Fair enough. But if someone enjoys being a pusher or a dinker, why not embrace it? It's certainly nothing to be ashamed of. If that's how they like to play and they're comfortable with it. Why not. What gives one player the right to push their standards of play onto someone else. This is referred to in our charter as "pusher persecution". Pushers are not second class citizens.
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I am not a coach - and I like playing against them - so they do not bother me. However I am pretty sure my coach doesn't like them - and it's pretty easy to see why. Most pushers are 'soul crushers' they beat their opponent with such poor technique that it actually hurts the sport. When people lose to ugly awkward looking - often unathletic players - its hard for the game.

Since you coached some hoops you can probably get this - its one thing for some top prospect to blow by you and throw it down. It's another thing for some 63 year old man - who kinda gimps around the court to beat someone - and if they do it with **** technique - well that just drives people out of the sport.

Some young guy learning tennis just thinks it's a stupid sport when he loses to some old pusher.. Pusher's also tend to be of thinking that they don't really love the sport either - they just love crushing people's egos..

I am already past the point of no return - a tennis lifer. But that's not always the case. So since you asked there is plenty of reason to hate the classic dinker. My coach always encourages aggressive (but not stupid) play.. He wants his students to play the right way..

But hey you can celebrate pusherdom. It doesn't really matter that much - most decent players quickly progress past the level where true pushers are a problem.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YxD3xyfuEQ

THese are the guys I am talking about.. The super athletic dude 'pusher' - well I never seen him or her in the real world. My feeling is that super athletic guys tend to pick up the strokes as well - and just end up great at tennis.
 
Ok.... I've got an interesting story to share...
Normally I just play my game, big serve, hit deep medium pace, hit good angle when opportunity shows. Sometimes I get a bit pushy when opponent has more pace then me, but just "good" technical push, deep topspin, etc.
Yesterday I played my personal best ball-bashing mach ever, everything went in, depth, angles, everything. I mostly overpowered a guy who's normally stronger then me. Felt good.
Fast forward to today... There's this one guy, I've known him for long time, he's technically my student. Sporty, big and fast, he improved a lot, especially during last year. Can hit pretty good and technically sound strokes when just hitting with me, and that's what we do 90% of time. So, we decided to play a match... I already knew, from the warm up, that I had an "off" day, with bad timing and movement, serve wasn't there either. Then the guy started pushing and junkballing, just horrible unpredictable no pace stuff. I tried to hit my normal shots and everything sailed long or in the net. More I missed, more I get frustrated and tight. In no time I was down 1:5. I toned down a bit and staged a bit of come back to 4:5, but still lost 4:6. Then I had enough, decided to do just what he did, just better ;) Next 2 sets went my way, 6:3 and 6:2.
Pusher vs. Pusher - the better pusher wins ;)
 
Happy New Years Day to all Pushers... and to those that cant beat them! I bumped this thread so pushers can share their Pusher New Years Resolutions with their fellow TT members.

1) I vow to dink, drop, lob, slice and dice as often as it takes to win.
2) I vow to run down balls until I can no longer as they are run down.
3) I vow to frustrate my opponent to the point of their self mutilation.

Who's next?
 
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