tactical question

[aphex]

hi all, first post (though i've been lurking for a couple of weeks...)


soooo, i've noticed that that when i get tired during a match, the first thing to go is my footwork..and when that goes, everything falls apart...i guess this is true for everyone, so i'm wondering if during the opening and middle stages of the match i have chances to hit winners, should i go for them or should i make my opponent run and maybe lose some of those points? is it a worthwile trade-off? interested in what u guys think...

cheers, G.

 

[[osu]ilovecows]

hi and welcome to the boards!

to be honest, i think your best option would be to improve your fitness. that way, you won't get tired as easily during a match.

 

[[osu]ilovecows]

and if i had to choose between your two options, i would go for the more consistent shot that still gives me the advantage. that way, i can wear my opponent down.

 

[jrod]

hi all, first post (though i've been lurking for a couple of weeks...)


soooo, i've noticed that that when i get tired during a match, the first thing to go is my footwork..and when that goes, everything falls apart...i guess this is true for everyone, so i'm wondering if during the opening and middle stages of the match i have chances to hit winners, should i go for them or should i make my opponent run and maybe lose some of those points? is it a worthwile trade-off? interested in what u guys think...

cheers, G.

This strategy is doomed....If you go for riskier shots (regardless as to when you do this), your winning percentages will decline.

I suggest you work on your fitness.

 

[fuzz nation]

Welcome aboard!

That tactic sort of depends on your opponents, right? It's fine if you want to run opponents and wear them down, but you don't want them racking up lots of points in the process while you're trying to keep extra shots in play. Keep in mind that those are extra shots that need to be error free on your part. Some players may turn those extended rallies in their favor by wearing on you, so make sure that your plan of attack isn't playing to the strength of your opponent. Also, if you have a "barn door" of an opening to hit through for a winner, it makes sense to take the point, even in the early stages of a match.

Think about what happens when you go out against an unfamiliar opponent. The only thing you can usually read in their game early on is where they are weaker in terms of strokes and also what sort of serves and returns they hit. Unless they're limping or sucking wind during your warmup, you don't know what kind of stamina they might have, so I'd say to concentrate on the weaknesses that you can spot at the outset. If someone you're playing gets visibly worn down, then you can obviously hit away from them knowing that more of your shots won't be coming back.

If your general strategy is to hit away from your opponents, you're naturally going to wear on them, but you're also going to force them to hit more shots from a less comfortable position, which means fewer offensive balls coming back at you. Bonus points there. I don't look to make my singles points longer than they need to be, but I also need to be careful to remain patient and avoid low percentage shots/tactics that will only donate points across the net. Remember that you may be able to "wear out" an opponent by simply hitting to, let's say, his weak backhand that he's going to miss a whole lot.

 

[snvplayer]

It seems like you tired out occasionally during the match.

If this is the case, then there is no point in prolonging points in the beginning and the middle of the match just to make your opponents run more.

 

[Lotto]

It depends. if you get a short ball (Net to 3/4 court) and half the court or more is open than there's no reason why you shouldn't be hitting a winner, depending on your current level. If half or more of the court isn't open then keep it in play. If you get a deep ball and more than half the court is open, don't risk it unless you are 100% sure you can make it. Otherwise keep it in.

And remember, the ball doesn't have to hit the lines, especially at our level. Look at the pros sure, they don't even hit the lines all of the time. They open up the court using tactics and finish with "easy" winners. Obviously they do hit winners on the lines though, everybody does that but they don't do it most of the time.

 

[NineMileSkid]

If your problem is getting tired during a match, I would think the last thing you would want to do is intentionally try to extend that match.

 

[Charlzz]

Also, learn to hit approach shots and volley. This can cut down the length of points early on so you don't get as fatigued. But working on fitness would be your best bet.

 

[aphex]

thanks for the warm welcome guys

i think i wasn't very clear in my initial post though...i didn't mean that i want to just prolong the points aimlessly or relinquish my advantage and continue the point from a 50/50 scenario__i meant that since i've gotten myself in the position to hit a winner, obviously from then on i'm able to dictate play in that point...going by probability, if i prolong the point for 3-4 more exchanges (even from an advantageous position) i'm going to lose a small percentage of these points-but my opponent will run much more than me during these exchanges...

oh, and about my stamina, i'm 29 y.o. 181cm, 70kg, fairly athletic---do you guys not get tired??
i can definitely feel my footwork deteriorate after about an 1.5 hours...

 

[aphex]

oh, also charlzz, sorry i didn't clear this up...i'm not a beginner, i've been playing since i was 7, stopped when i was about 17 and started again a few months ago, so, yes, i do know how to volley:shock:

 

[jrod]

thanks for the warm welcome guys

i think i wasn't very clear in my initial post though...i didn't mean that i want to just prolong the points aimlessly or relinquish my advantage and continue the point from a 50/50 scenario__i meant that since i've gotten myself in the position to hit a winner, obviously from then on i'm able to dictate play in that point...going by probability, if i prolong the point for 3-4 more exchanges (even from an advantageous position) i'm going to lose a small percentage of these points-but my opponent will run much more than me during these exchanges...

oh, and about my stamina, i'm 29 y.o. 181cm, 70kg, fairly athletic---do you guys not get tired??
i can definitely feel my footwork deteriorate after about an 1.5 hours...

If you are in position to hit a winner, why wouldn't you? When you find yourself in this position, how often do you miss? The %'s should provide the answer to your question, no?

Also, at your age, it sounds like you shouldn't get winded. When I was 29 I could play in blazing heat and high humidity for over 3 hours without batting an eye. Seeing that you've just started up again, perhaps some interval training might help you with things....just a thought.

 

[JavierLW]

oh, also charlzz, sorry i didn't clear this up...i'm not a beginner, i've been playing since i was 7, stopped when i was about 17 and started again a few months ago, so, yes, i do know how to volley:shock:

Even given that I think you only really have two options:

1) Work on your fitness

2) Improve your skills so you can consistantly force the other guy to move around a lot and you wont have to move as much.

It probably depends on who are playing. At some level (higher 3.5 and better) I guess you need some degree of fitness otherwise you probably will never make it thru an entire match against anyone.

If they are lower then that you can probably just beat them with skill.

I think everyone gets tired and as we get older we start to get sore as well which is the real bigger issue.

But some people are clearly better fit then others, and if you are just getting "tired" and losing your wind you probably need to do some cardio training or at least go for a regular walk or run a couple times a week to get back into shape. (besides the other obvious things like not smoking, dont get overweight, eat right, etc.....)

I think it's just a lot more work to stay in that kind of shape when we get near our 30's or better then it is when we are 17, and now all the sudden we may have a lot less time. Even so though, I dont think there is some magically strategy formula to get around that other than to just go and play weaker players so you win all the time. (otherwise if someone who you may match up well with is more fit then you, they are going to win no matter what you do, the sport is just physical in that way.)

 

[kelz]

Also, learn to hit approach shots and volley. This can cut down the length of points early on so you don't get as fatigued. But working on fitness would be your best bet.

Actually serve and volley can be more tiring to your body. An example where this is a concern to your body is during faults. You serve and follow the ball (perhaps 5 steps) until you realised that the ball's been called out. You've ran an additional 5 steps (excluding the steps you walk back as they don't use the same system of the body- something I recall from PD/H/PE).

 

[LuckyR]

hi all, first post (though i've been lurking for a couple of weeks...)


soooo, i've noticed that that when i get tired during a match, the first thing to go is my footwork..and when that goes, everything falls apart...i guess this is true for everyone, so i'm wondering if during the opening and middle stages of the match i have chances to hit winners, should i go for them or should i make my opponent run and maybe lose some of those points? is it a worthwile trade-off? interested in what u guys think...

cheers, G.

What is your age?

 

[5263]

thanks for the warm welcome guys

i think i wasn't very clear in my initial post though...i didn't mean that i want to just prolong the points aimlessly or relinquish my advantage and continue the point from a 50/50 scenario__i meant that since i've gotten myself in the position to hit a winner, obviously from then on i'm able to dictate play in that point...going by probability, if i prolong the point for 3-4 more exchanges (even from an advantageous position) i'm going to lose a small percentage of these points-but my opponent will run much more than me during these exchanges...

oh, and about my stamina, i'm 29 y.o. 181cm, 70kg, fairly athletic---do you guys not get tired??
i can definitely feel my footwork deteriorate after about an 1.5 hours...

I think people are still missing the point of your question. Or, maybe I am.

I think hitting to drag your opponent around the court a lot early in the match has tons of merit. Early in the match is a great time to hone in your accuracy without taking much risks, like in the situations you describe. Don't let them off the hook so easy by just blasting the early winner, as well as the risk of missing that shot carries. Yes, tax his legs and test his will. If you can tire him some, it will take from his serve and GS accuracy, as well as his confidence.

Make sure you stay aggressive with the power of your shots and you will be surprised at how many turn into winners anyway, even though you did not go so close to the lines. This will give you an edge as the match wears on. There is a good chance that he will want to keep the points shorter as it goes, which will be just what you want as you play your way into shape.

 

[Soar]

all u need is:

serve
return
conditiong