thomas daniels
Semi-Pro
YES.
That is the exact question that you need to be asking yourself as you engage in warrior meditation with your tennis journal.
My coaching philosophy on it is this.
It's all about learning how to force your opponents into more errors in your matches!
Think about it for a moment.
The elite players dominate most of their matches by consistently forcing their opponents to commit more errors.
Wouldn't you agree?
Usually through power, placement, and situational patterns.
Then.
Their opponents mentally breakdown at some point during the match and give up.
This is why you want to model after these elite players.
Okay.
Here are 3 quick tips.
One.
Develop a more heavy ball.
I remember watching Nadal practice against a hitting partner at the US Open, and what I notice was this.
He was hitting an unbelievable heavy ball.
I mean.
His balls were landing and just jumping off the court.
Listen.
We were all amaze by it.
This is done through dynamic court movement, while loading up and then using leg force drive off the court or cork screwing your lower body rotation into your shots.
Two.
Master the art of spin more.
This is a lost art form in tennis.
Because.
I played back in the 70s and early 80s with wooden rackets, so there was less power and more spin being done with the ball in those days.
But.
Its interesting that.
Most of those players who played in that time and master the art of spin with the wooden rackets, easily transition with the moderns ones.
I actually saw a coach at a local tournament beat a top junior with a variation of spin, placement, and a net rushing game.
Now.
Imagine being able to hit a heavy ball, then follow that up with a different spin in your matches.
This will have them committing all sorts of errors.
Remember.
Most players like to get into a groove in their matches.
By mastering spin, you will be able to force more errors from them.
Three.
Practice and learn how to hit on the rise.
I call this the table tennis shots.
Why?
The form is the same.
Meaning.
No take back, compact, all wrist, and you are hitting it as soon as the ball hits the court.
In practice.
Work on playing balls while standing 3 feet (0.91 m) in front of the baseline.
You must focus on getting a feel for this shot.
As you practice.
Make the needed adjustments and using the edge of the racket and the throat more with your non-dominant hand.
It usually takes about 31 days to master hitting on the rise.
So.
Be patient with yourself, work on your timing/feel and get the reps in daily!
Look.
Your match play strategy should be this…
Start off the match, working the points with heavy strokes, come in on them using different spins and attack the ball relentlessly with on the rise shots.
By doing that.
You will have your opponents committing more forced errors.
Then.
They will eventually mentally breakdown, and then you can finish off the match.
MATCH PLAY NOTE.
You have to go out there with the mindset, that you are going to set the tempo from the start with these tactics, and after you get the lead.
Finish the match off as fast as you can, because too many players get the lead or win the first set easy, then end up losing in 3!
I know, I can relate to doing that!
Anyway.
Let me know your take on this question and make sure you like and share the post, please!
That is the exact question that you need to be asking yourself as you engage in warrior meditation with your tennis journal.
My coaching philosophy on it is this.
It's all about learning how to force your opponents into more errors in your matches!
Think about it for a moment.
The elite players dominate most of their matches by consistently forcing their opponents to commit more errors.
Wouldn't you agree?
Usually through power, placement, and situational patterns.
Then.
Their opponents mentally breakdown at some point during the match and give up.
This is why you want to model after these elite players.
Okay.
Here are 3 quick tips.
One.
Develop a more heavy ball.
I remember watching Nadal practice against a hitting partner at the US Open, and what I notice was this.
He was hitting an unbelievable heavy ball.
I mean.
His balls were landing and just jumping off the court.
Listen.
We were all amaze by it.
This is done through dynamic court movement, while loading up and then using leg force drive off the court or cork screwing your lower body rotation into your shots.
Two.
Master the art of spin more.
This is a lost art form in tennis.
Because.
I played back in the 70s and early 80s with wooden rackets, so there was less power and more spin being done with the ball in those days.
But.
Its interesting that.
Most of those players who played in that time and master the art of spin with the wooden rackets, easily transition with the moderns ones.
I actually saw a coach at a local tournament beat a top junior with a variation of spin, placement, and a net rushing game.
Now.
Imagine being able to hit a heavy ball, then follow that up with a different spin in your matches.
This will have them committing all sorts of errors.
Remember.
Most players like to get into a groove in their matches.
By mastering spin, you will be able to force more errors from them.
Three.
Practice and learn how to hit on the rise.
I call this the table tennis shots.
Why?
The form is the same.
Meaning.
No take back, compact, all wrist, and you are hitting it as soon as the ball hits the court.
In practice.
Work on playing balls while standing 3 feet (0.91 m) in front of the baseline.
You must focus on getting a feel for this shot.
As you practice.
Make the needed adjustments and using the edge of the racket and the throat more with your non-dominant hand.
It usually takes about 31 days to master hitting on the rise.
So.
Be patient with yourself, work on your timing/feel and get the reps in daily!
Look.
Your match play strategy should be this…
Start off the match, working the points with heavy strokes, come in on them using different spins and attack the ball relentlessly with on the rise shots.
By doing that.
You will have your opponents committing more forced errors.
Then.
They will eventually mentally breakdown, and then you can finish off the match.
MATCH PLAY NOTE.
You have to go out there with the mindset, that you are going to set the tempo from the start with these tactics, and after you get the lead.
Finish the match off as fast as you can, because too many players get the lead or win the first set easy, then end up losing in 3!
I know, I can relate to doing that!
Anyway.
Let me know your take on this question and make sure you like and share the post, please!
