The four most significant strategic errors
Today we will tell you about mistakes made while preparing the match strategy. The goal of match strategy preparation is, of course, to win the opponent. However, it is not that simple because the key is to adapt it to your own and your opponent's abilities. What will work in a match with player X will not necessarily work against player Y. What are these mistakes?
Lack of planning
I realize that this is obvious, but knowing does not always mean understanding and applying. Every plan is better than none. With a specific pattern in mind, we know where we are going and draw precise conclusions at the end.
Without a plan, your game will be very chaotic. You will lose valuable time thinking "in the process," and most likely, you will try something different every time while implementing the plan for your defeat cleverly arranged by the opponent.
In addition to technique and mental game, every professional knows how and where they will play perfectly well. Of course, the plans will vary depending on the level of sophistication of the player, so you should have prepared universal schemes that you will be able to apply almost always.
Lack of flexibility
Regardless of the type of opponent, some of us are betting hard on "their game". However, it turns out that often such a solution will be an equal inclination towards imminent failure. If you are an offensive player and hit a good defender, then it is probably worth your effort if you do not adapt and modify your game to increase the chance of defeating it. For this purpose, it is always good to train your versatility, which, if necessary, we will be able to use correctly.
Others, when the game does not go their way and begin to lose control - suddenly cast a white flag. Instead of continuing the game by the adopted assumptions, they go to the plan under the code name "desertion" and begin to play defensive light balls in anticipation of the opponent's mistakes. It turns out that such behaviour brings quite the opposite effects and, unfortunately, in the vast majority of cases, it will only worsen the situation.
Excessive risk-taking and stupid decisions
I saw many players who gave their maximum from the first ball, punching them in the middle of the court with full power. I agree that this may make some sense in some cases, but in the vast majority - no. Instead of wasting energy, please take advantage of your advantages when it pays off.
By playing a little easier, you will surprise your opponent with sudden acceleration. If you direct the ball to the weaker side, there is a good chance that you will gain a situational advantage which will allow you to enter the court and finish the point. It is worth using the approach shot, i.e. the stroke that prepares us for the final play (usually at the net).
A simple example: you play hard on the backhand with a tennis racquet to an opponent because he is not good at such balls (approach No. 1). Then you run towards the grid to complete the exchange. However, you see that he managed this backhand, so while under the net, you will play a safe volley on his forehand side (approach shot No. 2), which will prepare you to hammer a "nail" in the next blow. The opponent, as he was far out of the centre playing his backhand, will have a hard time reaching your volley, which will allow you to finish the point freely again by deciding to send the ball to its backhand corner
Lack of will to win
A real strategist, he is not preparing for war to state at the end "ups, but the plan did not work out", but to fight to the very end. Many trainers order to stick to the strategy chosen for a given match - I am afraid I have to disagree with this because you will certainly not break it by banging your head against the wall. Have a plan B, C or even D.
Similarly, the lack of will to win will affect the execution of strategic assumptions. It should be remembered that our goal is to win, not to "show off" and relax. Many worse players will win their opponent thanks to their will to fight and commitment.
On the other hand, an overly emotional approach will sabotage the game, so as always, we aim at the golden mean that will balance the benefits of both attitudes.
I have to admit that too lax attitude to the game often meant that I was losing in the middle of the match, agreeing with "destiny", so I would like to quote you a quote that you undoubtedly know, but how well it reflects the atmosphere of the situation:
I wish each of you and myself such an attitude on the court and, of course, as much success as possible!
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