TennisOne Lessons
Revealing one’s skill level Dave Smith TennisOne Senior Editor Special thanks to the Boise Sate Tennis Team for cooperation in filming. During my 32 years of teaching tennis, not only have my teaching mantra and purpose matured greatly, but my observations of a player’s ‘playing maturity’ have become more discerning. That is, watching how a player practices, warms up, and, of course, competes can be very revealing. While there are certainly many exceptions to this short discourse in observable traits and player inclinations, I have to say that such exceptions are few. By recognizing some of these behaviors in ourselves, we can speed up the improvement process and learn to compete more effectively.
Practice Generalities Because many of the clinics I have taught over the years include a wide range of player skill levels, (most of our clinics are “drop-in”, multi-level clinics with two or more pros), it has become more and more apparent that there are certain characteristics that players of different levels exhibit when practicing in groups. It has gotten to the point that I often point out what I am about to reveal to the very players in my clinics. It will serve you, as well, to recognize these aspects of player-tendencies. 3.5 and 5.0 Players on the Practice Court Besides the obvious skill difference in stroke mechanics we see between the 3.5 level player and those at 4.5 and above, I often observe another critical difference. Typically, in any groundstroke, volley, overhead or service drill, the 3.5 player swings much harder more often than the 5.0. While the 3.5 player can indeed execute such power on several occasions in these drills, you don’t usually see the 5.0 hitting with such a blatant sense of power.
Why? I have several conclusions that might interest you, (especially if you are one of these 3.5 level players!) Many 3.5 level players have been at that level for years. They have loads of experience, most have taken many clinics and/or camps, and many have played tournament or league tennis for years. However, players who have been at these levels for such duration tends to cling to old stroke patterns regardless of whether they understand that those techniques will stagnate them for life at essentially the same level. Somehow, these players feel a need to ‘prove’ themselves in clinics. They often hit much harder than they can with consistency. In fact, the difference I am alluding to here is that 3.5 level players (who fit this criteria) usually hit far harder than a 4.5 or 5.0 level player in the same group drill. I am always amused by players who try to hit beyond their means—usually beyond anything they typically try in a match or can replicate with any consistent success. 5.0 level players tend to do just the opposite. In drills, they swing with fluid - almost effortless - consistent, repetitive swing patterns. They move with more balance and swing ‘within their means.’ You seldom see a 5.0 players swing off-balanced, and when they are pressed into a difficult situation, they seldom panic and swing wildly. In contrast, 3.0 or 3.5 players create imbalance in their swing patterns and they often swing wildly at balls that are difficult or out of reach, adding to the likelihood that even if they get their racquet on the ball, it has virtually no chance of landing in. (And, in many cases, they sometimes can’t keep the ball to say in the fenced in areas either!)
For example, if a 3.5 level player is at the net and has a ball hit well to their side, they often reach out with one step and flick at the ball with a badminton-like wrist snap. This often causes the racquet face to change dramatically within the contact zone…increasing the likelihood that the ball might be hit just about anywhere, (except in the court!) However, the 5.0 player can be seen taking several quick steps to get to the ball. But, more importantly, they hold their racquet with a firm wrist and use the racquet’s power in a stable position to fashion a shot that is more likely to stay in play. Differences in Match Play Many 3.5 level players carry this same mentality into competition. The first few games can sometimes contain more testosterone-driven machismo than can be seen in a session of wrestle mania! In warm up, these players often blast serves, attempt low-percentage shots, and, in general, try to play at levels that exceed their ratings. During competition, we see some of these 3.5 level players replicate these patterns early in a match. But, few, if any, 3.5 level players can sustain such patterns with any consistency. (This is why they are still 3.5 level players!) In reality, trying to play beyond your means is a no-win situation. By this, I mean that if a 3.5 player misses initial attempts, they almost immediately transition into a dinking level of play since they have lost confidence (and, in reality, have come back to earth!), in executing such shots beyond their ‘real’ level of play. Even if they execute a couple of successful shots, it sets up an expectation that they should be able to continue such play throughout the match…which, quite frankly, is impossible. So, even after they make a few shots, they are bound to miss at some point. They then press harder to make the next shot, and, of course, miss that one too. Now the level of confidence drops dramatically and the player returns to dinking shots at exponentially slower pace than moments earlier.
Keep Something in the Bag If you are a 3.5 level player, remember a few strategies that will improve your confidence, help you win more matches, and, even help you improve new techniques that you know will help you climb out of that 3.5 rut you have dug yourself in! When playing an opponent, regardless of the perception that they are a lot better or a lot worse than you, keep something in the bag. That is, don’t ‘show off’ big shots until you need too. Even if you possess certain shots that could be considered ‘weapons’, don’t offer them in warm up or early in the match. In fact, you might not even need to use your weapon at all if you play consistent, smart tennis. Save the big serve, the big return, the big volley, etc., for later. Remember, many players at the 3.5 level have the same desire to ‘prove’ they are actually better than their rating! Let such a player ‘hit out’ on the ball. If your opponent sees that you don’t miss a lot of balls, they will oftentimes start to press early and try to hit even bigger shots with low percentage results. Working New shots or Techniques into Competition Whenever players implement new methods or techniques into competition, they tend to swing at the same speed (or even harder!) that they used to use with their old familiar ways. New techniques are unfamiliar and, thus, uncomfortable. Swinging hard with a new swing path or grip not only lowers the likelihood of success, it usually causes the player to revert back to their old, familiar methods. Since swinging fast employs muscle memory, the most familiar patter will usually take over during the swing.
I often see players swing harder with a new method! Not only is the method new, it won’t be very refined. Thus, a hard stroke greatly reduces the chance of success or consistency. Swing much more methodical when working in a new stroke. Not only will you be more likely to have better contact as well as have better aim, you will also gain a sense of mastery of the new shot faster with a conscious, controlled swing. I’m not talking about dinking the ball when I say hit with a slower swing. I am saying swing with the slice or topspin you are working on within a swing speed that you can control and you will more likely have success at hitting the ball cleanly. Good Mistakes, Bad Mistakes There are what we call ‘good mistakes’ and ‘bad mistakes’ players make in both practice and in competition. A bad mistake is when we use what we know is ‘bad form’ and miss the shot. A good mistake is when we use good form but error in the aiming department, timing department, or in the contact department. A player can execute a great swing but aim to high or to low, swing to early or late, or simply miss hit the ball. Obviously, when a player repeats a good swing, the timing, aim, and contact zone will improve. However, if we resort back to using inferior—but comfortable—form, we keep ourselves from becoming more prolific at more effective shot making. Players will improve and become more successful at creating proper swing aspects if they swing slower, with a more deliberate swing effort. I would prefer to see a player miss the ball completely using a swing that is more refined. I know that over time, the player will overcome timing issues, contact issues, and aiming issues when they become more familiar with their unfamiliar swing patterns and grips. Swinging slower will lower the incidence of these swing elements as well as give the player a chance to maybe even win a match or two during the learning process! 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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