Do you use the warm up time to develop some sort of game plan
against your opponent? Hopefully you have warmed up on your own
some time before the match and you can use this quick warm up as
a way to evaluate your opponent's strengths and weaknesses and
develop some sort of strategy. Based on what you see, how would
you decide on a game plan? For instance, say that your opponent
really can't hit low backhands and this is obvious to you from
the beginning. Certainly you would like to hit them as many low
ones as possible. Now what if your slice shots were your worst
shots? Would you still attempt to hit your worst shot to go to
their weakness? I think many players would say "yes."
When developing a game plan you first must know your own strengths
and weaknesses. Try to build a strategy based on what you do well.
If you notice that your opponent can't handle wide serves and you
like to serve and volley, put those two parts together. You must
remember that your game should center more around what you do well
rather than just what weaknesses the opponent has. Sometimes it
works perfectly so that your strongest shots go to their weakest.
When this isn't the case you must be more patient in waiting for
the correct shot. Give your game plan a chance to work and you
will be surprised at how effective it can be given some time.
Remember to change a losing game plan and stay with a winning
strategy. If it is working for you keep it up - make the opponent
make the corrections. If your game planning is working well then
you must expect some changes from your opponent. When their back
is against the wall they have to come out fighting and a smart
player will change a losing strategy.
Your biggest shot might be a strong forehand, big serve, or a
steady baseline game. Whatever you consider your biggest asset
is what you need to base your strategy on. Set the trap and let
them play into it. And always remember, "failing to plan means
you are planning to fail." Develop a game plan and give it time
to work.
