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TennisOne Lessons 
Understanding Momentum Shifts David W. Smith, Senior Editor TennisOne Momentum in tennis can be described many ways by many people. To me, it is a distinctive sense of a how a match will end and who will be victorious. When a player or team has the momentum, the players with the momentum have a sense of confidence that can be considered at times, inversely proportional to the sense of dread by the team or player who does not have the momentum. Sometimes, momentum is so strong and obvious that players with it feel they can’t lose it…and those without it feel they can’t change it. But this is not always the case. In fact, when players understand the dynamics of momentum, they can take advantage of situations that can either change momentum in their favor, or help prevent the loss of momentum when they seem to have it. We have probably all experienced a change in momentum as a player or team. It happens at all levels, from the recreational or club levels to the pro matches. Players can seemingly have a tennis match well in hand, leading by a relatively large margin only to inexplicably see the wheels fall off. I call these changes in the complexion of a match “Momentum Shifts.” Players can feel them as they happen and spectators can often sense them too. If you are on the side of diminishing momentum, it can literally feel like you are swimming against the current and powerless to change it! In my 28 seasons of coaching boys and girl’s high school tennis, I have witnessed extreme examples of Momentum Shift at the high school level. One time, my boy’s double’s team was down love-five in the second set after losing the first set and came back to win that set 7-6 and the final set 6-2. Another time, after being down a set and love three, one of my doubles players hit an extreme angle volley winner that got the momentum-train a-rollin’ and ended up winning that match. At the pro levels, I watched Mary Pierce at the U.S. Open four years ago come back in the third set after being down 5-2 in that final set to win her match. And those of us old enough will surely remember Ivan Lendl's comeback from two sets down against John McEnroe at the '84 French Open. As I mentioned, it can happen at every level. What Really is a Momentum Shift? Momentum Shifts are often the result of situations that are specific in nature and sequence. They are also often the product of a change in a player’s mindset, which can be triggered by the aforementioned situations. If a player does not know how to prevent or limit the significance of specific situations, the player is susceptible to letting a momentum shift occur. And, likewise, players can learn to recognize situations and capitalize on them, increasing the chance that they can change a losing match into a winning one. Both of these outcomes I will address in this article. A Momentum Shift is often the result of several types of points played in a specific order at specific periods during a match. There are several examples that are more likely to create opportunities for momentum shifts. All of these examples are dependent on not one but two specific occurrences happening in succession. If a momentum shift is going to occur, a dramatic point must be played at the right time in terms of the match score and followed up with a second, consecutive point won on the heels of this dramatic point. The Lucky Shot Usually the lucky shot itself, (a framed winner, a behind the back shot, a freaky net cord shot, etc.), is not enough for a momentum shift to occur. However, when a team or player wins the point immediately following the lucky shot, (and especially if that next point won results in a winning game), the momentum can indeed shift. The psychology of this happening is as follows: A receiving player, down two breaks, losing 3-0, 4-1 or 5-2, and with the score of the current game at deuce, hits a lucky shot winner. Instead of losing that point and now about to go down love four, one-five, or lose the set, he has the advantage on his opponent’s serve. If he indeed wins the point following the lucky shot, he is now down 1-3 instead of 0-4, 2-4 or 3-5 instead of 1-5 or a set lost, and now only down one break. More importantly, the player can maintain a significant momentum shift by holding serve. The lucky shot is often remembered by opponents and players alike, to the point that opponents can end up thinking, “if they hadn’t hit that lucky shot we would be killing them.” This kind of errant though can take them away from preparing for the next shot as players do when they are not concerned with the outcome or ramifications of a point previously played. In other words, thinking about what happened in the past can take them out of the present. Long Rally A good, long rally can create a momentum shift when it occurs in the same sequence as the Lucky Shot just described. The longer the rally, the more likely a shift can occur. There is both a psychological aspect to the shift as well as a physical one. The winning player of a long, grueling rally will feel almost a sense of euphoria while the losing player not only feels like his energy went for naught, but he will be “psychologically winded” also. If this occurs at significant time in a tight match, it can be a major turning point. However, like the example I used in the Lucky Shot scenario, the player who wins the long rally will need to win the next point to create the momentum shift. The player, who lost the long rally, by winning the next point, feels a sense of relief and the long rally will have had little effect in terms of creating any momentum shift. By winning the point after winning a long rally, especially if the next point won results in a game won, the player can ride the wave of momentum that winning the long rally can create. The Intimidating Put-away A team that is losing can sometimes change the momentum by putting a ball away with a powerful, attacking stroke. For example, an overhead or, in doubles, a firm, penetrating volley through an opposing net man can create the possibility of a momentum shift. When you go through the net man on the other side with an overhead or volley, the shot can create a little animosity or disharmony within your opponent’s team; the net player just hit at will sometimes blame his partner for setting him up. At this point, some players will become more careful, hitting a more tentative shot on the next point trying to avoid setting up their partner again. When players try to hit careful shots they often lose their rhythm and confidence, making a momentum shift possible. But, be careful too on how you react after putting a ball like this away. It is important not to gloat or show a lot of emotion after such a shot. Remember, the higher your level of excitement, the faster it can be taken away. Thus, after such a shot, give your partner a quiet high-five and use the shot to build momentum from. Like in our other scenarios, if you win the point following such a shot, (and if the score is right), you can create a true momentum shift by using the shot as a lift and then follow that winner with a hard-fought point. Playing Important Points Obviously, understanding this phenomenon of momentum shifts includes the recognition of what would be considered important or big points. I think we all know that in any match, regardless of any momentum shift or change in the sense of confidence, there are important points. We often hear about the all-important “Seventh Game” where a score is either 3-all, 2-4, or 1-5, and winning that game (whether or not you are the player or team ahead) is very important especially if you can win it with a break of serve. But, regarding momentum shifts, I personally believe the most important point is the one that follows one of the three situations mentioned in this article. This is because the lucky shot, the long rally and the significant put-away all are seldom executed or anticipated in advance. Yet, after such a shot, rally or put-away, we have a moment to focus on the start of the next point. This focus is often lost on players who are still focused on the last point they've won. Consider how often a player double-faults after serving an ace. Too many players put pressure on themselves by trying too hard to duplicate the ace. When the next first serve is missed, the player now changes his focus to trying NOT to double fault. Ironically, such a thought will often indeed lead to a double fault. When the server served the ace, he or she was most likely not thinking about the previous serve, point, or score. Instead, the server pictured where he or she wanted the serve to go and then let it happen. Psychologically, we need to allow ourselves to let our game happen when in competition. Players who place too much emphasis on the great or lucky shot or long rally, often lose the next point because of the same mental processes that describe why a player often double faults after an ace. The secret to playing these important points is to block out the previous point and again focus on what shot you want to engage on the very next point; if it is a serve return, you should only be thinking about where you want that return to go. If it is your serve, you need to only picture where you want this next serve to go. Likewise, if you are on the receiving end of a great shot, lucky shot, or a great put-away, you will want to play the next point with the same intention as mentioned above. Doubles Advantage Having a partner in doubles can help each of you other build confidence as well as improve your opportunity to create a momentum shift in your favor. Having a partner allows you to discuss strategies between points, boost each other when one of you hit an important shot, and help each other stay focused. However, I’ve also seen where players will bring down their partner by some non-verbal communication: a glare when a shot has been missed, slumped shoulders or head-drop on a particular miss, etc. It is important to maximize the opportunity you have in doubles to make a habit of talking to and encouraging each other between points. Good teams, like the Bryans, never get down on each other. Instead, they encourage each other whether one of them has missed an easy return or smashed away an overhead. The important thing here is to build partner confidence and visualize and focus on the next shot. There is enough pressure in an important match and nothing is gained by adding to it. So stick to proactive words like, “Let’s attack the second serve,” or “Let’s put some pressure on this guy’s serve,” all are proactive and what I call “present focus” comments. Such focus allows a player to maximize his or her opportunity to hit a better shot, one that could lead to a true momentum shift.
Final Thoughts One thing to remember is that when you are in any given match, play like you know you will win. That doesn’t mean to play cocky or arrogant; instead, it means to play with the belief you can win, even if you are well behind. One thing is certain, if you are behind in a match and you basically give up, tank or act like you don’t care, you will seldom, if ever, make a comeback. Players, who play with a fighting spirit 100% of the time can sometimes turn a match around right if the situations come around. Players who have given up will not be able to take advantage of situations (for momentum shifts) because they have already lost all hope. As mentioned in an earlier newsletter, I described my doubles team who were playing the top-ranked doubles team in Arizona (and previously undefeated), and fought hard even in losing the first set 6-0. They were down 3-0 in the second set with the big left-handed opponent serving who we had not come close to breaking. After a couple blocked returns followed by strong put-away volleys, my team broke serve and went on to come back and defeat this team in the third set. A couple of big points and a sense of arrogance by the opponents set into motion one of the biggest momentum shifts of my coaching career. So, next time you are in a match that seems lost, at least keep these thoughts in mind and keep fighting. You never know when you might just turn the tide of momentum and then ride it out to a stunning victory! Remember too, that by giving up in any match, you basically give up the opportunity to make a come back. Playing hard won’t always result in a come-back win, but, not playing hard will almost guarantee you won’t ever come back to win. Your comments are welcome. Let us know what you think about Dave Smith's article by emailing us here at TennisOne .
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