Make Balls

Make balls.

Seems simple enough, doesn't it? Simple doesn't mean it's easy, though. When faced with many decisions as you approach each and every shot of the match, keeping the priority to make the shot can be difficult.

At just about every level of competitive tennis, perhaps all the way up to just below world class, the winner and loser of the match is seldom decided by who hit the most winners. It is almost always decided by who made the fewest errors, especially dumb, unforced ones!

The type of player that excels at making balls frustrates us by forcing us to play. They make us hit a lot of balls, and test our shot tolerance, our patience, and our concentration. They usually possess superior focus and concentration, and probably amazing hand-eye coordination. But what separates them from most other competitors is this ability to make balls. I am neither advocating nor praising playing like a "pusher". No, the competitive trait I'm encouraging is more about ensuring that every decision about target, about swing speed, about risk management, and about general tactics is made under the overriding priority that I, as the player, have to force my opponent to play by making this ball.

I have worked with a lot of players and coaches for an increasingly shocking number of years, but one of the greatest bits of advice I ever received was from my Aunt Jean, who was a devout 3.5 club player. Before a tournament match she once told me "hit the shot you are good at, not the shot you wish you were good at." Sound advice, indeed. How many times do we inexplicably try:

the drop shot from 6 ft behind the baseline

the topspin lob when a regular lob will serve fine

the swing volley instead of the standard volley

the 150 mph overhead when the 50 mph version would serve the situation perfectly well

the tweener

the backhand overhead

the touch volley from below the net

etc.

I think her advice is really the same as "play within yourself", which we often hear from many coaches.

As you know, I am a big advocate of concepts like keeping up your swing speed and taking the risks of attacking , all court tennis - but " big targets, big margins" is all about making balls. As is "hit less ball", and most importantly, "we don't swing carefully, we choose targets carefully." By putting the successful execution of each shot at the top of your priority list, you will invariably make more balls, last longer in points ( maybe your opponent will win the race to who makes the first silly error!), and enjoy better results.

Make more balls, and make more victories.