Somebody changed from pusher to aggressive...

[FailBetter]

Does somebody changed his mindset from a pusher to a more aggressive player who is going for his shots?

Or is it just in a players nature and you cant really change it?

I'm in a transition phase atm. I'm loosing a lot also against players I regulary beat before. It's a hard time.. people are asking question why I play so bad etc. But I hope it brings me to a new level..

What are your experiences?

 

[beltsman]

Does somebody changed his mindset from a pusher to a more aggressive player who is going for his shots?

Or is it just in a players nature and you cant really change it?

I'm in a transition phase atm. I'm loosing a lot also against players I regulary beat before. It's a hard time.. people are asking question why I play so bad etc. But I hope it brings me to a new level..

What are your experiences?

It can be done. But you can't force it. Attacking has to come naturally - it is a learned trait.

 

[Attila_the_gorilla]

Does somebody changed his mindset from a pusher to a more aggressive player who is going for his shots?

Or is it just in a players nature and you cant really change it?

I'm in a transition phase atm. I'm loosing a lot also against players I regulary beat before. It's a hard time.. people are asking question why I play so bad etc. But I hope it brings me to a new level..

What are your experiences?

I naturally have an attacking game, that's what suits my personality. There's a guy who has been my regular singles hitting partner for about 3 or 4 years.

I never played tennis until 5 years ago, whereas my mate has been playing since childhood. But he had a different approach to the game, and was all about consistency, minimizing errors and waiting for the opposition to make one.

So in the beginning he was beating me regularly, by just letting me make all those errors.

Gradually, those errors started to dry up, I started using more suitable equipment that had easier access to power both on attack and defence. Eventually he started losing every time, more and more convincingly.
So he realized that he needed some weapons of his own to compete.

And credit to him, he has built up his arsenal quite well. He does a lot more with his serve, his forehand can do a lot of damage, he's also playing with a more powerful racket, that allows him to hit with more pace and depth even on defence. His backhand is still mostly a slice, but he's keeping it much lower than in the past.
So nowadays we have more competitive matches.

So trust me, it is perfectly possible to change from pusher to an attacking player. You just need to face opponents whom pushing doesn't work against, cos they have reliable weapons.

 

[Johnr]

Does somebody changed his mindset from a pusher to a more aggressive player who is going for his shots?

Or is it just in a players nature and you cant really change it?

I'm in a transition phase atm. I'm loosing a lot also against players I regulary beat before. It's a hard time.. people are asking question why I play so bad etc. But I hope it brings me to a new level..

What are your experiences?

I started playing a year ago (3.5 league) and used my natural athletic ability to play well by running down everything and making few mistakes. But I realized that would only take me so far so I took lessons, revamped my game
and reached a point where I was confident enough in my technique to play aggressively. Now instead of looking to just hit everything back like I used to, every swing I make has a purpose to win on current shot or next shot or two. No better feeling than hitting a winner.

 

[atp2015]

Does somebody changed his mindset from a pusher to a more aggressive player who is going for his shots?

Or is it just in a players nature and you cant really change it?

I'm in a transition phase atm. I'm loosing a lot also against players I regulary beat before. It's a hard time.. people are asking question why I play so bad etc. But I hope it brings me to a new level..

What are your experiences?

I changed from pusher to basher. Lost a lot of matches initially. Many games, sets and matches lost from winning position because I kept attacking. Very frustrating 18 months. Started seeing better result after 40 odd matches.
Kept practicing attacking shots and strategy and picked up on half volley, a lot of swing volleys and learnt to be comfortable around mid court and net. No more "neutral" shot, loopy top spin shots on a regular basis. Never go back more than 3-4 feet behind the baseline - would rather pickup deep shots as half volley.

 

[coupergear]

Agree with the above posts there is definitely a "sometimes you have to go backward to eventually move forward." Although it's a tough call you also see guys that would be better served if they played a more patient game and use their athletic ability to their advantage. it's kind of hard to know where you're at on that continuum. Will your Strokes improve enough to be effective and improve beyond your current game? There is definitely the fear of tearing down your current game to rebuild and losing your current level but then never really getting back to it again, or as you're describing the (hopefully temporary) pain of losing to people you previously could beat.

I think it comes down to that 4.0 to 4.5 level many reference. If you're below this in the 2s and 3s there's a strong chance that rebuilding with improved technique from lessons and coaching will produce gains. After that point the stroke refinements become more subtle and gains tougher to make--can spend a lot of time and money without roi.

 

[coupergear]

I have changed from pusher to basher. Lost a lot of matches initiinitially. Many games, sets and matches lost from winning position because I kept attacking. Very frustrating 18 months. Started seeing better result after 50 odd matches.
Kept practicing attacking shots and strategy and picked up on in half volley, a lot of swing volleys and learnt to be comfortable around mid court and net. No more "neutral" shots. Lobs.

Yeah I'm kind of opposite. I was a big doubles player in high school and always had better net instincts then baseline strokes so my tendency has always been to rush the net chip and charge come in behind everything serve-and-volley. Problem is it 47 while the wheels are solid compared to others my age, they are no longer so good against 4s groundies. Groundies tend to hold their level longer. So my higher risk game and dicier groundstrokes are a liability--I'm really thinkin to move the other direction stay more patient keep the ball in play. Go wheels vs wheels battle.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

I was a pusher/counterpuncher in high school. Now I attack, sometimes prematurely. My game would benefit from some of my high school patience and point construction.

But darn it, patience takes too long!

 

[Attila_the_gorilla]

I was a pusher/counterpuncher in high school. Now I attack, sometimes prematurely. My game would benefit from some of my high school patience and point construction.

But darn it, patience takes too long!

Too much time and energy! Why spend 30 seconds and precious calories on a job you can do in 10

 

[atp2015]

Yeah I'm kind of opposite. I was a big doubles player in high school and always had better net instincts then baseline strokes so my tendency has always been to rush the net chip and charge come in behind everything serve-and-volley. Problem is it 47 while the wheels are solid compared to others my age, they are no longer so good against 4s groundies. Groundies tend to hold their level longer. So my higher risk game and dicier groundstrokes are a liability--I'm really thinkin to move the other direction stay more patient keep the ball in play. Go wheels vs wheels battle.

The primary reason was for better time management. The pushing game became untenable after a while with other life responsibilities- I had matches lasting a long time against other pushers (many 3 hour matches) and I could not afford that much time away for matches. I had to find ways to finish matches in less than 90 minutes.
But even though I lost matches, my strokes got a lot better and started utilizing many strokes and strategies that I never practiced. Backhand overhead, half volleys from the baseline and inside the baseline etc
It motivated me to improve my serves for some quick points and the serve level went up. It was great for tennis even the results took a lot of time. It's a lot easier to play pushing game (easier only if you have patience)

 

[Wise one]

The primary reason was for better time management. The pushing game became untenable after a while with other life responsibilities- I had matches lasting a long time against other pushers (many 3 hour matches) and I could not afford that much time away for matches. I had to find ways to finish matches in less than 90 minutes.
But even though I lost matches, my strokes got a lot better and started utilizing many strokes and strategies that I never practiced. Backhand overhead, half volleys from the baseline and inside the baseline etc
It motivated me to improve my serves for some quick points and the serve level went up. It was great for tennis even the results took a lot of time. It's a lot easier to play pushing game (easier only if you have patience)

You don't get any prize for hitting 4000 shots and still losing the point.

 

[coupergear]

The primary reason was for better time management. The pushing game became untenable after a while with other life responsibilities- I had matches lasting a long time against other pushers (many 3 hour matches) and I could not afford that much time away for matches. I had to find ways to finish matches in less than 90 minutes.
But even though I lost matches, my strokes got a lot better and started utilizing many strokes and strategies that I never practiced. Backhand overhead, half volleys from the baseline and inside the baseline etc
It motivated me to improve my serves for some quick points and the serve level went up. It was great for tennis even the results took a lot of time. It's a lot easier to play pushing game (easier only if you have patience)

yeah running OT here but funny even though I would benefit from being more patient I'm in the exact same boat as you--frankly tennis in general, fast match or slow match, just takes too long for me. With a big family, job, many other priorities pulling, tough to justify the time. Maybe that's why I'm in here living vicariously.

Anecdotal but the demographic for men seems to be high school and young players and then jumps to late 40s people getting back into the game (or starting) not a lot of 25-40s regular players because they're In the heat of the battle with regards to family and career.

Hard to get almost any kind of tennis in (drills hitting sets) under 90 minutes, and that's time on the court not counting travel. Just not great bang for the buck in terms of a fitness activity.

 

[dgold44]

Does somebody changed his mindset from a pusher to a more aggressive player who is going for his shots?

Or is it just in a players nature and you cant really change it?

I'm in a transition phase atm. I'm loosing a lot also against players I regulary beat before. It's a hard time.. people are asking question why I play so bad etc. But I hope it brings me to a new level..

What are your experiences?

I was a massive huge pusher most of my tennis career, but as I got older, I have become more even balanced and go for shots.
Then again I have not played since like JAN !!!

 

[Dragy]

Are you guys talking "better shots" are new mentality? Can one work on higher quality shots, but generally keep defensive mentality and conservative placement? Actually, higher level defending player should be able to capitalize on weaker replies and finish points, as opposed to lower level pusher just waiting for opponent making an error. Still, attacking mentality is a bit of different species, and although tools are great to have, one can attack with chip'n'charge.

 

[Limpinhitter]

Does somebody changed his mindset from a pusher to a more aggressive player who is going for his shots?

Or is it just in a players nature and you cant really change it?

I'm in a transition phase atm. I'm loosing a lot also against players I regulary beat before. It's a hard time.. people are asking question why I play so bad etc. But I hope it brings me to a new level..

What are your experiences?

What are your short and long term goals? Why have you decided to abandon your approach if it was winning for you?

 

[Bender]

I went from bashing error machine to a bashing error machine with more patience.

 

[FailBetter]

What are your short and long term goals? Why have you decided to abandon your approach if it was winning for you?

Because I stuck at my level (weak 4.5) I could run everything down, have good hands/feel.
but a strong 4.5 or a 5.0 makes the ball faster than I can run.. and I feel for going the next step I may have to go a step back first.
Goal is playing more agressive, not ballbashing and going for the winner everytime, but with agressive topspin forcing the short ball and finishing at the net.
So rather waiting for an error, forcing the error I think

And ranking Goal is a good 5.0, I think playing at that level must be really fun.

 

[Chadillac]

You need spacing, only 1 big shot for every 2-3 stable ones. I think it was tilden or one of the old schoolers who invented that.

I like to think of it like a video game, each rally shot adds to your combo/power meter. Build up a few, see an opportunity and then use them. If you dont hit a winner reset and build charges.

 

[dominikk1985]

You can also start by evolving from a bunt pusher to a medium pace topspin grinder before you may or may not continue to evolve into a real aggressive player. That will probably give you more initial success than trying to become a guy who hits winners from the baseline before he even masters a consistent medium pace topspin stroke.

 

[Traffic]

I think my son can be considered a pusher depending on opponent's level. There are many opponents that hit harder and serves harder. But my son is just a wall and will hit back with safe, loopy, topspin shots that always land in. Eventually opponent loses because of UE. Quite frustrating for his opponents.

As competition level grew higher, opponents can hit hard, can hit soft, can hit corners and never DF. So my son had to learn how to put pressure so he doesn't get blown away by winners all the time while looking for a safe opening for him to attack. Those that are similar level to him usually have 20 hit rallies and 2hr matches. But those that are a step better will quickly end the point. Now he is working on how to deal with those that are good at changing pace.
So I do agree that there is a progression for "pusher" style.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

And ranking Goal is a good 5.0, I think playing at that level must be really fun.

Be careful of not falling into the "grass is greener on the other side" syndrome: have fun at whatever level you're at with an eye toward improvement. Making it to 5.0 would be awesome but it may not be what you expected.

 

[heninfan99]

Look at Shroud serve and volley. He is a salesman and plays as such, knocking on doors & making calls at net to get the sale. I think it's best if your game reflects your personality.

 

[SinjinCooper]

You don't get any prize for hitting 4000 shots and still losing the point.

You do if you're in better shape than the other guy.

 

[Curiosity]

You do if you're in better shape than the other guy.

If I'm in better shape than my opponent but lose the point, what do I win? An optimist would conclude the rest of the match is going to be a bear for the guy who won the point. I would argue, however, that if a hit 4,000 shots back to me, plus 1, he too must actually be in very good shape, so I win nothing that day.

 

[Curiosity]

Does somebody changed his mindset from a pusher to a more aggressive player who is going for his shots?............edit delete......

I'm sure there are many views. Here's mine: I've played off and on for 55 years. I didn't get serious until my son rose beyond his USTA section. I had to revamp everything to give him a decent game. In the last seven or eight years we started playing occasionally as a doubles team when in Spain for the usual vacation.

From the high-level (for club tennis) spaniards we played I learned this, that slow, methodical, precise tennis can give bigger hitters a very hard time. It's almost commical to see the two styles on one court mid-match.

I view a good set of skills as including several gears, speeds, with the ability to shift speeds without blowing the shot. No matter how good you are, possession of a good backhand slice, drop shots, and a heavy slower but very deep topspin forehand (among other shots) are necessary. So too, of course, is a faster topspin backhand drive, as well as the fastest topspin forehand you can place reasonably well.

If you are lucky, you'll find a hitting partner who will take turns hitting slower balls, then faster aggressive ones. That's what I needed years ago. You played as a junior, so the racquet speed is surely there somewhere. Have you built a two-speed game?

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

You are invited to my new support group
https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...trokes-and-lose-6-0-6-0-support-group.598316/

 

[GuyClinch]

I think lots of people have this issue..

What I learned from that Brady tennis guy is that you can have difficult shots - that are placement shots. So DTL or short angle etc. These are aggressive in terms of target.

And you can have aggressive shots that are 'easy' balls hit to safe spots - and these are aggressive shots in terms of pace and spin. Don't mix up the two. For the difficult placement balls - don't swing out - stay in your comfort zone. For the easy balls - hit them hard to safe areas.

 

[vokazu]

Does somebody changed his mindset from a pusher to a more aggressive player who is going for his shots?

Or is it just in a players nature and you cant really change it?

I'm in a transition phase atm. I'm loosing a lot also against players I regulary beat before. It's a hard time.. people are asking question why I play so bad etc. But I hope it brings me to a new level..

What are your experiences?

I've been playing for 15 years, on and off. Now I can hit aggressive return on weak serves. I use eastern forehand when I go for return winners. For normal rally or defense I use semi western forehand. When I was a beginner I sliced everything back. Now I always try to drive the ball deep. Slice just occasionally. So yes, you can learn and change to be more aggressive.

I played against player A last week. He is not a pusher and is aggressive. We played matches and the results are very close, so we are very even.

Player A played against player B (a slice pusher) and the results was close, like 6-3, 6-4, etc.

Today I played against player B (slice pusher). And I returned aggressively on his weak serves and hit winners of his floaty balls. I was also glad that I braved myself to come forward after he hit floaty weak shots and then I hit volley winners. I just went for it and it worked. I also gave him his own medicine by giving him nasty drop shot winners. I won 6-0 6-0. Then we played super tie break, I won 10-3.

Player B told me that I am better than the aggressive player A because I beat him (player B) 6-0 6-0, and that he can get many games off player A. But I said no, because it's just a case of a match up. I think player A has troubles with slow paced balls, sliced balls and drop shots because I noticed each time he runs to chase a short ball and try to hit winners he often hits the balls out or hit it to the net.

I played against a lot of slicers and it helps me to learn how to hit winners of short balls.

 

[PKorda]

this is a good thread topic, i'm risk averse by nature as is my game, i have a really difficult time playing more aggressive even though I think it would ultimately help my game. when i go for shots and miss i think to myself would have had a better chance to win the point if i played defensive. even when i go for shots i'm hesitant which limits me too.

 

[johnmccabe]

Has anyone done the opposite? I'm naturally an aggressive player chasing variety of shots. I need to learn to play like a pusher when the occasion calls for that tactic. Is it possible to train for that?

 

[Traffic]

I've been playing a lot of doubles lately and I've noticed my UE creeping up. I've had the mindset of high risk; high reward.

I've had a few comment to just grind the point. So I've been working with some friends to hit singles and do drills. Hitting half court cross court to groove strokes. I also hit with my daughter sometimes. She tends to hit more loopy topspin shots or topspin lobs. This helps me practice against those shots by not panicking and hitting a solid shot with a wide out CC groundstroke.

 

[user92626]

Has anyone done the opposite? I'm naturally an aggressive player chasing variety of shots. I need to learn to play like a pusher when the occasion calls for that tactic. Is it possible to train for that?

Easy. Just play the game of putting the ball back in a good place. Kinda like tossing balls game at a fair. It can be really fun.

The problem I'm facing now is all of my singles opponents, except one, hit hard and captalize on soft balls from me. I'm forced to hit hard to make it hard for them to control me.

 

[Mongolmike]

this is a good thread topic, i'm risk averse by nature as is my game, i have a really difficult time playing more aggressive even though I think it would ultimately help my game. when i go for shots and miss i think to myself would have had a better chance to win the point if i played defensive. even when i go for shots i'm hesitant which limits me too.

I am just the opposite. One of my own sayings is, "My shot imagination exceeds my shot making ability."

Everyone who plays vs me regularly knows to guard the alley, look for overheads from the baseline, angled volleys, etc. Sure, l make mistakes, but so what. I enjoy the tactics, the variety. I would never be a pusher type, and my worst shot is lobs. I'd rather swing away then get into a lobby lob game.

That said, l am a better player now because l play with patience. I will go crosscourt rally 3, 4x and wait for opportunities. I still like to force the action, but l do it more tactically now. Definitely learned, definitely beneficial to my game.

I think either style can learn the other style, but l think a risk averse player would have a harder time being aggressive and making more mistakes, then an aggressive player learning patience. If you dislike making errors, then it is against your nature to adapt a style that will cause more errors. Whereas an aggressive player can be patient and still be aggressive, and might even reduce errors. Seems like a win.

 

[LuckyR]

I guess if somebody got tired of winning and wanted to lose more...