As an old high school tennis coach I explain that there are defensive shots to keep you in the point. There are neutral shots that allow you to adjust and prolong the point until you get an opportunity. Then there are offensive shots that allow you to control and finish the point. My players who also have been coached in sports like basketball, hockey, volleyball, etc understand this tactic. Also some of my athletes are in the Chess Club so they definitely understand strategy. Crossover skills are important when learning to play tennis.
I agree with your assessment. Personally when I was developing my game way back in the 80’s I spent one entire summer taking a lesson each week for 10 weeks on volley skills and tactics. Then I worked on those skills all week. Every practice set was dedicated to moving forward. Every league and tournament match I didn’t worry about winning but moving forward. Yes I lost points, games, sets and matches. However I discovered that I could get into a volley groove by hitting volleys frequently in the first set. Similar to hitting lots of ground strokes. I actually won lots of points on opponents passing shot errors or really easy to make high percentage volleys. The following summer I beat the second seed in the first round of a 4.0 tournament using serve and volley tactics. This definitely gave me confidence and helped me advance my rating to the next level. I had been a very consistent baseline player but now I had more tools and tactics that are necessary if you want to compete at higher levels.
Great lesson, especially the end. Just this past Wednesday, with us ahead 40-0 in the final set, my round-robin partner (who thinks he's Babe Ruth) double-faulted three consecutive times, making it deuce. On his next serve, he faults again. On his second serve, he turns it down about 90-percent, gets one in, and rushes up beside me at the net, only to watch the returner hit the winning lob over his head. I was truly disgusted...
6:31 made me laugh. Done that too many times, and probably made a similar face too many times! 😅Your point about sticking with a technique even if it fails you a few times is really important, and one I'm still working to put into practice consistently. It feels defeating once the opponent makes you pay once or twice. But if you think about it, there's really no reason to back off until it's a consistent theme. And if you don't have any meaningful backup plan, you might as well use the match to practice and get better instead of going into defensive mode where you don't learn anything other than to be tentative. Anyway, thanks for your videos! Always helpful!
As an old high school tennis coach I explain that there are defensive shots to keep you in the point. There are neutral shots that allow you to adjust and prolong the point until you get an opportunity. Then there are offensive shots that allow you to control and finish the point. My players who also have been coached in sports like basketball, hockey, volleyball, etc understand this tactic. Also some of my athletes are in the Chess Club so they definitely understand strategy. Crossover skills are important when learning to play tennis.
Totally agree!
Missed last week's video "How to play defense"? Click here: ruclips.net/video/-YYmoFZaiqk/видео.html
"Even if you lose points, you're investing into the future"
Brilliant!
If Utopia ever has a College of Tennis, you would be the Dean.
"even if you lost points, you're investing in the future." Great point Meike for those players uncomfortable at net. Excellent lesson
Thank you! Growth mindset 🙂
I agree with your assessment. Personally when I was developing my game way back in the 80’s I spent one entire summer taking a lesson each week for 10 weeks on volley skills and tactics. Then I worked on those skills all week. Every practice set was dedicated to moving forward. Every league and tournament match I didn’t worry about winning but moving forward. Yes I lost points, games, sets and matches. However I discovered that I could get into a volley groove by hitting volleys frequently in the first set. Similar to hitting lots of ground strokes. I actually won lots of points on opponents passing shot errors or really easy to make high percentage volleys. The following summer I beat the second seed in the first round of a 4.0 tournament using serve and volley tactics. This definitely gave me confidence and helped me advance my rating to the next level. I had been a very consistent baseline player but now I had more tools and tactics that are necessary if you want to compete at higher levels.
You are my favorite coach. Your way to teach is very effective! Thank You. Marcelo from Brazil.
All great points, Meike! It's great that you emphasize the short and long term benefits.
Amazing! Excellent lesson 🙏 appreciate!
Great lesson, especially the end. Just this past Wednesday, with us ahead 40-0 in the final set, my round-robin partner (who thinks he's Babe Ruth) double-faulted three consecutive times, making it deuce. On his next serve, he faults again. On his second serve, he turns it down about 90-percent, gets one in, and rushes up beside me at the net, only to watch the returner hit the winning lob over his head. I was truly disgusted...
Yeah, that's no fun!
6:31 made me laugh. Done that too many times, and probably made a similar face too many times! 😅Your point about sticking with a technique even if it fails you a few times is really important, and one I'm still working to put into practice consistently. It feels defeating once the opponent makes you pay once or twice. But if you think about it, there's really no reason to back off until it's a consistent theme. And if you don't have any meaningful backup plan, you might as well use the match to practice and get better instead of going into defensive mode where you don't learn anything other than to be tentative. Anyway, thanks for your videos! Always helpful!
Yes, I agree. It's tough to see it that way when you're losing but it'll pay off in the long run.
6:26 , YOU ARE FAST MEIKE!!
your videos are getting better and better, with great tennis-humor, well done!
Thank yoU!
Super useful 👍🎾🙏