October 21, 2024 - Adjust in One Game

Let’s keep this simple. If you lose the first game of a match because it takes you a game to adjust to something the opponent does, that’s okay. Ideally, you’d adjust sooner and perhaps win that first game, but credit your opponent if he’s developed something that wins him that first game.

But if you lose a match because you didn’t adjust to what your opponent did, that means either you messed up or your opponent is simply better.

How do you quickly adjust to an opponent? There are two ways. First, after going up against whatever your opponent does that gives you trouble, you should simply get used to it until it’s no longer a major threat. You might even play into it intentionally sometimes, so as to better make that adjustment – such as playing into an opponent’s long pips or other surface until you are comfortable against it. Second, you can adjust your tactics so the opponent can’t do whatever it is that gives you trouble. If you have a good serve and receive game, then you can control and dominate points, and with that, you can take away whatever the opponent does that might give you trouble.

Always remember that Adjustment is just an anagram for Student Jam – and if you are a good student of the game, you’ll get out of those jams by making an adjustment!