One of the biggest challenges I have with my game is when I create choices for my next shot…
You know, should I play this shot cross court, up the line, drop shot, approach shot, and on and on.
And the more time I have, the more choices I seem to have and the longer it takes to decide which one I’m to play.
For my game, choices = low confidence which = inconsistent shot making.
If I can trust that first thought that comes into my mind, that very first instinct of where I should play this next shot, what type of shot, etc., if I’ll allow myself to trust that initial instinct, guess what, I play much much better.
The sooner I can commit to the shot I’m going to play, I tend to be a much more confident player.
But I have to practice being aware of that initial instinct. And I have to make sure I’m getting in at least one practice session a week of at least 30 minutes of really being consciously aware of what my instincts are and totally committing to them.
So, check out this rainy day video below, and then let me know by following the link below the video if you can think of your #1 shot or situation where you create shot placement / type choices, where you hesitate just enough, and/or where you don’t commit until the very last moment.
I Want Your Feedback: Click this link and let me know what’s that one shot or situation where your shot placement / type of shot just might be too late.
Brent
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Hi Brent,
Interesting video. I’ve been playing tennis for about 35 years but it has been only in recent years that I have learned (actually, begun to learn. . . ) match play and concentrating. I tell myself, don’t focus on external events (i.e., unforced errors, double faults, rude players in the next court, etc.); only focus on the ball and what you want to do with it. This helps me tremendously; I get into an almost serene state of mind and this allows the tennis to literally pour out of me. I think it has to do with really keeping my emotions under control. I find that in this state, I make much fewer unforced errors, I’m decisive about shot-selection and I feel like I move and anticipate my opponents shots better. I agree this is definitely a skill that has to be practiced and I wish I would have begun practicing it years ago.
Begun, the great internet eudaction has.
I think the people at my level (4.0 and below) often don’t have good instincts about shot selection. We are still in the process of ingraining an instinct for knowing the high percentage/smart shot. I still have to think about whether I am in an offensive or defensive position. I’m like the amateur golfer who doesn’t know when it’s time to just lay the ball up. I agree that one can overthink, but I’m not sure that’s my problem yet.
David – Dallas
YOUR TENNIS TIPS ARE GREAT, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, I HOPE ONE DAY WILL MEET UP SO WE CAN CHAT ABOUT THE LOVE OF THIS GAME.
BEST
MARC
Hi,
Very good tip. I’ve not been enjoying playing for a while
because I was ignoring my first choice. I ended up confused at every shot, fighting myself and not enjoying the game.
Best Regards
Paul
Brent,
That was helpful to me because I am thinking about that now for my game. My best shot is my forehand (I play doubles), but I don’t put myself in position to use my forehand enough. I’m working on transitioning more effectively so that I can hit my forehand and be more patient so that I can have more control over the point when I approach the net. I have a tendency to go to the net too early in the point and get caught, particularly against better players.
Love your help, looking for a effective way to us it. Concern is too much info, no real plan.
Thanks,
Mike Schwartz
Thanks for the tip Brent. I am 80 years old, play club tennis twice a week (mens doubles) in a Danish club on the Costa del Sol, Spain. We’re mostly retired – Brits, Swedes, Danes, Finns – age from mid 50s to …. we have one Dane still playing at 85 ! Must have been a v,good player once, but can’t move very fast now. I’m only 5’6″ but at 55 kilos, still fast on my feet with good reactions. The point is, at our standard, very few balls are hit with blistering speed, so that on most shots you’ve more than enough time to decide on the next shot, so will follow your tip next Tuesday! One point, have not had much success with my service (I have your DVD lesson) until this morning when I concentrated on the wrist pronation and got a lot more speed on first serve but difficult to pronate on second, slice serve. How to hit up on the ball from 7-2 o’clock and still pronate? Love the tips, keep ‘em coming. Thanks.Ted
By the way, I’m an artist – if you can spare the time, take a look at my website!
Hi Brent,
As always, to listen to and analyze yours concepts are very enriching for those who we practiced tennis. My experience with the today subject is the following one: a) in the tennis classes, I try to reason all the shots; b) in the game, I try to guide me by the instinct, since whenever I “think” about the best shot, the result is very bad.
Best regards
Enrique from Montevideo/Uruguay
Hi Brett,
I’m in Tasmanaia, Australia, about as far from northern California as you can get! Really enjoying the mix of specific shot instruction, and tennis related ‘musings’ that you are providing. That’s the beauty of the game really, intensity and relaxation concurrently, so I think a conversation with you sitting at your desk is equally valuable to a demonstration on court. I’m finding your input really encouraging to fostering a mindset of gradual improvment, so thank you very much for your effort and insight.
Stephen
Brent, Thanks for this tip. It is so obvious yet I find myself doing just what you said, waiting for the last moment to decide what to do.
Often, my opponent at the net will take a couple of steps toward the middle and I end up ;ulling the ball across court and out.
Hi Brent,
The issue about going for the first instinct-shot is very interesting. I believe you are quite right in your point on this. Connected to this theme is another thing namely how to check how your opponent is moving. I tend to just try to look at the ball the whole time and missing that my opponent for example leaves his forehand side too open and then I cannot utilize on that. I think I should try to look at my opponent’s movements first in order to make a good choice for next shot but then I am not focusing on the oncoming ball in time!
I haven’t succeeded in developing a good “system” for this.
Best regards
Jan