November 4, 2024 – The One-Two Punch of Tactics
There are really only two things you have to do tactically in a match, sort of a one-two punch. You must figure out:
- How to force your game on them
- How to nullify what your opponent does that threatens you.
What is the strongest part of your game and how can you force that on your opponent? With experience, you’ll learn (or have already learned) how to do this. For example, if your strengths is looping against backspin, and your opponent pushes backspin serves back long, then there’s your answer – serve backspin (short if necessary), they push it back long, and you get to dominate with your strong loop against backspin. Or if you are quicker than the opponent, then perhaps serve topspin, or fast and deep, or topspin their serves back and look to play quick, aggressive shots to all three spots – the wide corners and at their middle (playing elbow). In general, look for ways to serve, receive, and rally so as to set up your strengths.
What parts of your opponent’s game might give you trouble? Just as above, figure out how to use serve, receive, and rallying to avoid those issues. Or, sometimes, play right into what gives you trouble until you get used to it, and then it’s no longer a threat. With experience, you’ll find ways to stop or adjust to whatever it is that gives you trouble.
So, how’s your one-two punch?
