Real Tennis Players - Like You! - Asking For, and Offering, Advice on the Sport They Love
Player to Player is USTA.com’s regular feature in which everyday tennis players are given a forum to ask advice on the sport they love – and their fellow players will dish out advice. We’ll post a number of the best responses we receive to our question of the week.
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This week's question from Danny:
I need advice on implementing good footwork drills into match play situations. I coach 12-year-old juniors and they perform footwork drills very well in practice but when playing points, they just don't seem to step up to that level as performed in the drill? For any of your coaches out there, can you kindly advice what method you implement to solve this? Thank you for your advice!
Please share your thoughts with Danny by e-mailing Player@USTA.comand include your name and hometown.
Got a question of your own? Send that along, too!
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READ OTHER PLAYERS' ADVICE
Last week’s question from Nancy :
(Please note: There's no need to send additional responses to this question)
I am having a tough time rating myself. I've never played doubles but just started in a ladies league (on clay, which is foreign to me) and I am terrible. Yet when I play singles with stronger players--usually men, I hit much better. Which is the real game I should rate myself on and how do you explain that I play better against stronger hitters?
Player Responses:
From Coach Poppie, Palm Bay, FL:
Nancy, if you can serve overhand, rally and keep score you are an intermediate player. Hope that answers the generic question of How do I rate myself?
Why are you rating yourself in the first place? Do you need a rating to play such as a NTRP level? Rating yourself puts unnecessary pressure on you. If you need to determine your NTRP just look up the chart, however based on your statement sounds like 2.5 is good place to start. Let the USTA move you up based on your actual play. Think of whom you are playing with and your performance and pleasure with peers. Fun that why you play, right?
As for clay, you are not alone. Put on your mental roller skates and enjoy the bounce. You have more time and in general, the surface is easier on the body.
As for, “why do I play better against stronger hitters? Whether men or women, good tennis players can rally the ball. They can move to ball and play them back. They know how to keep the ball in play. They are not trying to beat you since it would prove nothing. Good players enjoy rallying and return the ball to you with the expectation you will do the same.
Check it out the next time you rally with a peer vs. with a higher level player. You will probably notice you run more with a peer player since they too lack control. Bottom line – reality, good players got good by playing against weaker player and have learned to track, hit and recover over and over again which makes you feel like you a better than to are. Hey, that’s what Teaching Pros do; start easy and increase the difficulty.
Play, Play more often.
From Kenny S., Highland Park, IL:
You hit better against better players because most everyone plays better against a better player, you watch, you learn, its a controlled game by this other player. You always want to play with a better players, this is the reason to hit with a good tennis coach, you will play better and learn. If your doubles game is bad you probably don't have a great net game, your return of serve and serve need work. You must be quick, which makes your singles game much better. Ask a pro to rate you, you sound good but need work. Play some of your ratings singles tournaments, USTA sponsored at clubs all over, go to USTA.com. Make your strokes sound by watching tennis on TV, the US Open and the Olympics coming up. In the nice weather play a lot with coach's and good players.
From Kris C., USPTA:
Anyone can play singles with a "stronger hitter" and do well. They are giving you the ball you like, at the pace you like, most likely right on your strings. Doubles, however, is a game that takes time to learn. If you are playing doubles, especially on a surface you do not feel confident on, you should rate yourself accordingly. You can always move up when you get it. Here is a plan: find a good, supportive partner, take some lessons from a certified pro on doubles strategy and be real! It is so fun to play doubles with its fast paced action; you may never want to play singles again!!
From Jen A., Bellevue, NE:
I think you should use both games. You seem to prefer a faster game that allows you to get into a groove and stroke the ball. Sometimes ladies tennis can be slower and the ball isn't hit quite as hard. As you become a more advanced player, you will learn to play against different styles of games and control the tempo of a point. So you should take into account the fact that a slower game (especially on clay) is more difficult for you. Check out the NTRP Rating Guidelines to guide you to the correct self-rating.
From Julia F-D., Dallas, TX:
I am 13 years old and a very competitive singles player. I think you should stick with playing on clay courts until you master it, because if you can play on clay you can play on hard court. It's very obvious that you play better with players that are more physically fit than you. So if you play women that are equal or worse players than you, you will play just as bad or worse. My advice to you is to play players who are better than you so that you will improve. If you just can't stand playing women then you should find a friend of yours that knows how to play tennis to play mixed doubles with you. You are going to have to learn how to play doubles eventually.
From John F., Oceanside, CA:
Rate yourself when against toughest opposition. You do better playing against men because you like a faster pace on the ball. Remember be kind...especially to yourself.
*Please note that any advice given out in this forum should in no way be confused with actual medical advice. Before starting any new exercise regimen or altering your existing one, we strongly urge you to consult with your regular physician.