Ever had one of those matches when you just couldn't figure out what to do?
There are several basic game plans you can use when this happens and they
range from hitting every ball to the opponent's backhand to lobbing right
down the middle.
One of my favorites really falls more into the area of what not to do. When
rallying with an opponent from the baseline, keep the ball going back to the
direction from which it came. Make your opponent be the first to change
directions. This is something to certainly keep in mind when your opponent
pins you deep behind the baseline. You should probably only think of
changing directions when your opponent gives you a short ball.
This little strategy applies to doubles as well. Assume you are at the
baseline exchanging groundies with a crosscourt opponent while both partners
are at the net. The smart player will continue to go crosscourt until he/she
gets a shorter ball or decides to lob the ball over the net person. Changing
directions and hitting the drive down the line would not be the wise decision
when you are at the baseline and have a hungry net player awaiting your
shot.
Sometimes it does pay off to simplify your game plan and let your opponent
take the risky shots. Of course you will still want to look for the shorter
shot to take control of the point.
Add a little patience to your game by using this simple plan you might find
your opponents are beating themselves so you don't have to!
