Pushers prevail!! (well most of the time)

[monkeyisland90]

So todays match from a random player on a local league I was playing my own style of counterpunching with full racquet head speed on most of the shots deep from corner to corner and being defensive and also offensive. Game plan was working well when I was actually counterpunching and focusing getting ball in play while moving the player... Occasionally I would go for winners when there is opening.. but sticking to game plan that was working and was up 4-2. Then I just had some mental lapse as I wasn't really interested in the match or was thinking too much. And started making careless mistakes and the guy came back and won 6-4. I know your're suppose to change game plans if your losing 1-2 games but since it was an exhibition match I was thinking to myself I can get back with same style.. but momentum going his way... he took the set. Second set.. I was thinking of more offensive approach and I was hitting really great but he was playing really great defense and ended up 4-0. I know i should have changed game plans again but again this was exhibition and wanted to keep trying out offensive approach.... Frustration kept building and even though it's just exhibition, I realized that match is a match and I need to change the game plan for third time... and realized PUSHING the ball was working wonders...
I know there's the ping pong type of pushers that are tapping it in with lot of consistency and placement.. but i was actually swinging the ball with no pace and some direction but main focus was get every ball back... I ended up winning the set 6-4 because of pushing.. Now this got me thinking.... I really don't like pushers because they outsmart, outplay and outlast in a very ugly way but realized that I was doing the same. I think when desperate times cause for desperate measures then it seems that I'll have to add this "arsenal " to my game ... I'm always usually about style in tennis (yes i know i don't get style points. But it really helps me get in character of a tennis player) I still feel embarassed or awkward when i have to bust this gamestyle but I don't want to be dumb also when my shots aren't feeling it or off and just give freebies to my opponent. So here is the question!!!!

Anyone else incorporate pushing when other game plans are failing? Sometimes it's too late to change to this game plan of pushing it it's your last resort... but in my case it worked and I feel kind of crap about it but I was using my head and not my EGO....

Now the question is... Would I do this in a usta match where your teammate or audience is watching and makes you feel like your a cheap coward?

 

[OrangePower]

Now the question is... Would I do this in a usta match where your teammate or audience is watching and makes you feel like your a cheap coward?

Absolutely you do it in a USTA match. If it works you will get big props from your teammates. They just want you to get the win, no matter how.

Problem is that depending on your level, this may not work in USTA. Successful USTA players know how to handle pushers.

 

[monkeyisland90]

So you are saying that if i did this and my usta teammates saw that I'm pushing but getting results that they won't look harshly or negatively on me? Because when i practice with them i'm known to get some really nice shots with full racquet head speed.. and to go 180 and push... my ego says don't do it.. but wisdom says do it... and plus it's for the team...

Indecisive to do or not do will only make matters worse so i like to know what you guys think... about what i just said.. (looking super cool with goods shots consistently.... changed to someone playing tennis ping pong)

 

[raiden031]

So you are saying that if i did this and my usta teammates saw that I'm pushing but getting results that they won't look harshly or negatively on me? Because when i practice with them i'm known to get some really nice shots with full racquet head speed.. and to go 180 and push... my ego says don't do it.. but wisdom says do it... and plus it's for the team...

Indecisive to do or not do will only make matters worse so i like to know what you guys think... about what i just said.. (looking super cool with goods shots consistently.... changed to someone playing tennis ping pong)

Most usta teamates dont care about your style or strokes but only care about your results and that you are a good sportsman and reliable teammate.

I think a good rule of thumb is that you should never sacrifice good form for a win because it wont help in the long run.

 

[dlk]

It does not matter if you spin in circles between shots, style means nothing, lke said prior, results are what matters. I'll play any style to win.

 

[Blade0324]

I have found that there are some cases in USTA matches that you will have a bit of a off day or play against an oponent that will require that you basically push the ball in order to get the win. You can't do it all the time as you will run into players that take your pushed ball and punish it repeatedly. Bottom line is you have to take a measure of your game and your oponent and go with the game plan that works best.

 

[Annika]

Pushing might aggravate your opponents, but hey, a win is a win! I know I'm not stating that a "pusher" isn't a tennis style players should use; it's just that it's annoying.

 

[bradfordt]

to me, pushing is all about consistency and letting the opponent make the mistakes. if you're having an off day with other strategies and/or shots, then pushing can at least keep you in the match until you get past the jitters and negative thoughts and back on track.
sort of the equivalent to taking a deep breath and relaxing while still playing...

 

[monkeyisland90]

to me, pushing is all about consistency and letting the opponent make the mistakes. if you're having an off day with other strategies and/or shots, then pushing can at least keep you in the match until you get past the jitters and negative thoughts and back on track.
sort of the equivalent to taking a deep breath and relaxing while still playing...

that's a good point.. sometimes the nerves, pressure or confusion during the match and the errors it produces... resorting to pushing to get back the feel, rhythm, syncing will allow me to get some shots that i'm so accustomed to...


BUT.. if the pushing game plan is working shouldn't I not change the game plan if it keeps working? (even if i feel ashamed in this style.. which im learning not to more and more.. if he picks up on it.. then ill need to change game plan again if its not working..

 

[gopokes]

Use it and abuse it - The case can be made that some pros are very sophisticated pushers. Look at Aggie Radwanska - total pusher. Wozniacki - pusher IMHO. But it is important to remember that tennis will forever remain a game of errors, especially at the rec level. The other thing I might add is that you don't want to limit your game by merely popping the ball back. Good pushers have all of the shots - they are just smart about using them at the right time. For what little it's worth, I've coached a league team and still coach a HS team, so it really is all about errors. I tell them it's like when you've got an icky tummy...you don't go get a colonoscopy when a couple of tums will do. If tums don't work, you try some extra strength tums or maybe a pepsid, and maybe watch what you eat for a day or two. It the problem persists, maybe you take a suppository. If that doesn't help - go see the Doc - but don't go in for a colonoscopy when a simple antacid will get 'er done. Same in tennis - get the ball back 5 times. If that works, keep doing it. If not, try 6, 7 and so on. Then keep adjusting minimally until you've found the winning combo, or you lose. But don't blow yourself out of the match and take big chances until you've realized that that is you're only hope!
GP

 

[beernutz]

Use it and abuse it - The case can be made that some pros are very sophisticated pushers. Look at Aggie Radwanska - total pusher. Wozniacki - pusher IMHO. But it is important to remember that tennis will forever remain a game of errors, especially at the rec level. The other thing I might add is that you don't want to limit your game by merely popping the ball back. Good pushers have all of the shots - they are just smart about using them at the right time. For what little it's worth, I've coached a league team and still coach a HS team, so it really is all about errors. I tell them it's like when you've got an icky tummy...you don't go get a colonoscopy when a couple of tums will do. If tums don't work, you try some extra strength tums or maybe a pepsid, and maybe watch what you eat for a day or two. It the problem persists, maybe you take a suppository. If that doesn't help - go see the Doc - but don't go in for a colonoscopy when a simple antacid will get 'er done. Same in tennis - get the ball back 5 times. If that works, keep doing it. If not, try 6, 7 and so on. Then keep adjusting minimally until you've found the winning combo, or you lose. But don't blow yourself out of the match and take big chances until you've realized that that is you're only hope!
GP

IMO NO pros are pushers. Pushers by definition just push the ball back, never try to hit winners, and often use incomplete strokes. No way Radwanska is a pusher. From the times I've seen her play I'd classify her as a baselining counter puncher, which is not nearly the same as a pusher. I've never watched Wozniacki play so I won't comment

 

[slow_duster]

Alta C7 here. Pushing is very common, not many guys hit full western forhands in C7. When I am faced with a good server I push. I try to keep the ball in, without feeding the guy at the net. Great way to mix up your shots as well keep them guessing.

 

[West Coast Ace]

...tennis will forever remain a game of errors, especially at the rec level.

Agree 100%. To get into the 4's you have to be able to win some points but in the 3's playing not to miss and to the opponent's BH will win most of the time.

...still coach a HS team, ...I tell them ...maybe you take a suppository....

Is there a video of you giving this pep talk on YouTube?

 

[PushyPushster]

Now the question is... Would I do this in a usta match where your teammate or audience is watching and makes you feel like your a cheap coward?

I'm not going to recommend you push the ball if it makes you feel bad - tennis is about having fun and if you don't enjoy the game then what's the point? If all you're worried about is your team's reaction, though, then put your mind at rest. They want the win. Period. If you're good at being a retriever/pusher then you'll get a nice nickname like 'Wall' or 'The Backboard' and you'll play a whole lot of Singles. Your teammates will appreciate the win, believe me.

 

[samster]

Consistency wins!