TennisOne Lessons
Focus Control
Pressure and How to Make
Your Opponent Feel It
By Jim McLennan, Senior TennisONE editor, former
President, USPTA, NORCAL
We have examined how to cope with pressure in previous columns.
This column is focused on how to generate the pressure, rather than how
to cope with it. Tom Stow, world famous coach of Grand Slam winner Don Budge,
wrote (and taught) "The forcing game is based on the principle
of continuous pressure ....The player of the 'All court forcing
game' must always keep in mind the fact the they are playing another human
being and that the pressure they are applying has a very definite effect
on the mental attitude of their opponent."
How can you learn to analyze your opponent and then craft a strategy that
exploits his weakness? And be mindful, the key to creating pressure
is to make your opponent hit shots he doesn't believe in.
- Listen carefully and constantly for advertisements. When
your opponent exclaims, "Impossible, I missed it again!" be certain
you know what shot he missed and in what situation. Gradually test
out whether that shot is his Achilles heel, and if this proves to be true,
then keep going to that shot until he shows he can handle it.
- Avoid your own advertisements. Your opponent may also be using
this method to gain inside information. Therefore, treat your errors
quietly and without demonstration, and your opponent may never discover
that you don't own the lob.
- Apply immediate pressure against the second serve. Now matter
how your opponent plays, the shortest and least aggressive shot he hits
is generally his second serve. You must test it immediately, you
must test it constantly, and if his serve holds up against this pressure,
you must continue to press, for ultimately it will crack (unless
he is supremely confident in this shot, which is unlikely unless his last
name is Sampras).
Pressure against the second serve includes down the line approach shots,
penetrating cross court drives, and delicate drop shots. In each case,
you must move forward and take the ball early. In each case, you must demonstrate
that your game plan is to always attack this suspect second serve. You
must build a situation where your opponent feels enormous pressure prior
hitting his second serve.
- Serve a high percentage of first serves. Do not let your opponent
gain the repeated opportunity to create pressure during your second delivery.
- Keep the ball in play. Sounds simple but it has great meaning.
Show your opponent that you are willing to get anything and everything
back. Show him that you will lob, bunt and block. Telltale signs
that this strategy works include your opponent's missed overheads, blown
volleys, repeated advertisements, and more. You generate enormous pressure
on your opponent when you refuse to miss or give up.
- Concentrate on all your finishing shots. Overheads must be winners,
volleys must be carefully and decisively angled. Don't give your opponent
any opportunity to even imagine that his consistent play (what you are
hopefully doing to him) can pressure you.
Remember, the best way to cope with pressure is to make your opponent feel
it.
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