What have you learned from playing against a weaker player?

[FiddlerDog]

I could have just gone into the match with the plan of "Play your A game, and eventually you will win"
But, I tried to use this an a constructive opportunity to practice strategy and adaptation.

The typical 3.0 has probably spent 99% of his tennis time rallying from the baseline.
So, I told myself, don’t’ be afraid to hit some junk. Chips, angles, short balls, FH slices, lobs.
Test out his approach shot since short balls are weapons against weaker players.
He had more trouble with heavy deep high rally balls, on the rise.
But, he did well with waist high rally balls. Keep it out of his strike zone

Against weaker players, I practice my 2nd kick serves the entire match.
But, I mixed flat serves in during the 2nd set, in case he was getting comfortable.
Always keep opponent guessing.

It is easy to assume weaker players just wanna have fun.
No, this opponent was very competitive and intense. No talking during change overs, all business.
This guy fought for every point the entire match and never gave up.
Do not conflate opponent level with their seriousness.

What have you learned from playing against a weaker player?

 

[mad dog1]

Should have posted in this thread. Think the OP of the linked thread could find it helpful.

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...laying-matches-against-weaker-players.712650/

 

[LOBALOT]

Yeah but then he can't keep his average quota of 15 posts per day going so there is bound to be a repeat.

 

[mad dog1]

I could have just gone into the match with the plan of "Play your A game, and eventually you will win"
But, I tried to use this an a constructive opportunity to practice strategy and adaptation.

The typical 3.0 has probably spent 99% of his tennis time rallying from the baseline.
So, I told myself, don’t’ be afraid to hit some junk. Chips, angles, short balls, FH slices, lobs.
Test out his approach shot since short balls are weapons against weaker players.
He had more trouble with heavy deep high rally balls, on the rise.
But, he did well with waist high rally balls. Keep it out of his strike zone

Against weaker players, I practice my 2nd kick serves the entire match.
But, I mixed flat serves in during the 2nd set, in case he was getting comfortable.
Always keep opponent guessing.

It is easy to assume weaker players just wanna have fun.
No, this opponent was very competitive and intense. No talking during change overs, all business.
This guy fought for every point the entire match and never gave up.
Do not conflate opponent level with their seriousness.

What have you learned from playing against a weaker player?

I think everyone wants to know if this guy was a rec tennis failure or not.

 

[Purestriker]

I think everyone wants to know if this guy was a rec tennis failure or not.

We have learned that and also why he failed as a rec player.

 

[PrinceMoron]

They can’t tell if the net is too high just by looking at it.
They don’t understand the laws of physics
they don’t know what to do with balls when they aren’t serving
they don’t get that when I ask how heavy their racquet is or how what grip they use I am messing with their mind
they stand too close to the net and are liable to end up in hospital
they think replacing a tournagrip in 30 secs is miraculous
it’s ok to for them to say something when they hit a bad shot and the ball is in play, especially as all their shots are bad
the harder they swing on a volley the better it is going to be
they think they have a shoulder turn
they think you are the only person on this planet with a backhand as they have never seen one before
they need to call balls that are obviously out
I am interested in watching videos of them moving as if they have been shot with a tranquilliser gun
they can’t repeat anything

 

[ubercat]

That after 3 matches a 9 YO can beat me

 

[antony]

Should have posted in this thread. Think the OP of the linked thread could find it helpful.

https://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/ind...laying-matches-against-weaker-players.712650/

Wtf lol

 

[socallefty]

How to keep the pressure on and play well with a big lead. How to feel no pressure when you are the favorite to win. How to crush players who have no weapons and no shot tolerance. How to hand out bagels and breadsticks like a master baker. All of these are good things to learn that come in handy when you play same-level or better players.

 

[coolvinny]

I learned that I had to learn a less spinny, more attacking forehand. So I have done so.

 

[Dartagnan64]

What I learned against weaker players:
1) technique
2) How to finish short balls

What I learned against better players
1) early prep
2) Defensive shots

What I learned against matched players
1) shot tolerance
2) how to compete