Do you often try to hit winners at inopportune times? Listen to our podcast as we share our insights regarding going on the offensive. Share with us your thoughts below in the comments section.
Excerpt from podcast:
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From beginners to advanced level players, and even to the some of the pro players, the temptation to try to quickly end a point by going for a winner is very strong and very real. It’s an affliction that I affectionately refer to as “bang bang tennis” – where it’s pretty much all offense, all the time.
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Maintaining an aggressive mindset means approaching and executing your strategy, tactics and shots with purpose and conviction. It does not mean being reckless; throwing caution to the wind and trying to hit outright winners or hero shots when circumstances strongly suggest the more prudent play would be to get the ball back into play, and work the rally until there is a more ideal opportunity to go for broke.
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I’ve long been a believer in the value of point construction — a major component of which is keeping the ball in play until you have a real opening to go on the offensive. I call this, “Minding your ‘P’s until you queue up an opportunity to strike.
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So… about these “P”s:
1. Exercise Patience. Pick ideal moments for when to go on the offensive.
2. Be Prudent; Play the high Percentage shots when you are in not in an ideal position to attack.
3. Keep the ball in Play; wait for your opening.
4. When you have the opening, Punish with Power and/or Precision and make your opponent Pay!
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The question to ask yourself is: do you believe you are better off making unforced errors and giving away points by trying to end the rally prematurely regardless of circumstances; or are you better off keeping the ball in play, working the rally, and waiting for your opening to attack? Be patient; be prudent. Keep it in play; then make them pay!
Tags: tennis, rock, rally, podcast, career, short ball, preparation, play, pusher, patience, prudent, attack, pay, precision, opening, hero, winner
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