POOOOOOWER… Sorry if I offended anyone ::wink: In tennis, power can be seen as a 4-letter word sometimes. That’s the way we players sometimes feel our coaches think at least.
Doesn’t it always seem that every time you want to add some fire, your instructor gives you the “tone it down” signal?
Yea, bummer right. They’re always saying “that’s not the right play” or “widen your margin for error,” right?
Well, I’ve got good news for you. You’re both right. Sorry fellas, but your coaches do have a point here. You don’t want to literally tee-off on every single ball that comes your way.
But wait, there’s more! Guys and Girls, power actually CAN be a great addition to your game. So, point for you 
. But the only way it’s going to do you any good is if it’s used properly and in the right situations.
The problem is that too many players are confused as to when to unleash the power and when to keep it in the holster and often unload on it at the most inappropriate time.
The truth is it can get pretty confusing and nerve racking when you never feel quite sure. This leads to becoming a step slow on many points. Why? Because you’re constantly involved in a mental tugg-o-war… should I go for it or play it safe…which one…which one. And by the time you make a decision, the ball has already blown passed you.
Relax, I’ve got you covered. Give your brain a chance to breathe while I give you a clear-cut answer on how power will help you prevail in 2 key live-game situations with 100% certainty. See the examples below:
|
Example #1: If your opponent is at the net, and you’re attempting a passing shot, you definitely want to increase your pace almost 100% of the time. The passing shot is an aggressive (…offensive minded) shot by nature. You never… I mean *NEVER* want to come in and attempt to execute a backspin (…or defensive) shot when you’re attempting to blow it by him. If you do that, the strategic edge and advantage that you once had, immediately transfers back to your opponent. And when that happens, you’ve just given your opponent two humongous gifts and it’s not even his birthday: CONFIDENCE: Now, he feels that he can handle you whenever he decides to come to the net. He doesn’t fear your passing shot or feel that he can be hurt by it which allows him to be more aggressive. This will show in his play almost immediately. He’s going to come to the net more often, determined to make you pay, which is going to leave you on your heals. And, on the other side of things, you would have allowed doubt (…the mental killer) to slither into your mind. Now you’re going to be more nervous than ever the next time you have a passing opportunity – when that is supposed to be one of your deadliest of weapons. OPTIONS: You’ve now given him options. He can damage you mentally by easily (…with a smile) picking off your passing shot, and angling the ball away from you and off court for the winner. Or he can decide to give you a more physical threat and blast one back at you into your body, possibly leaving you with a fat bruise on your outer thigh to help act as a more visual reminder not to try that again. And you don’t want that to happen, do you? Of course not. The “passer” is classified as a “finishing” or “winning” shot across the board. That means, you want to end the point right then and there, and you need a elevated dose of pace and velocity to get the job done. If you do that, you’ll be the one finishing on top. |
|
Example #2: Another great situation is when you’ve built a commanding lead in a game of 40-15 or greater. You can afford to really put some extra hot sauce or some extra spicy mustard on that first serve (…starting to get hungry? haha), and maybe on your 2nd serve as well. This will no doubt immediately put your opponent on the defense, allowing you to control tempo, be the dictator in the point and give you the momentum we all crave right off the bat. The reason “why” this works strategically is because you’ve provided yourself with a cushion. Just in case that first serve (…or even the second serve) on that point don’t go as you planned, you’ve a few more in reserve. This is about playing “smart” not “hard.” You don’t want to attempt the “heater” or ultra fast ball, like you’re pitching for the Dodgers in the bottom of the 9th, if the score was reversed, 0-40 or 15-40. That leaves you hanging by a thread and only gives you one ultra-thin life-line to play with, and if you fail or something surprisingly goes wrong, you’re done. The point, game, match, or even championship could be lost. That’s not smart. |
—-
Now granted, the probability that your shot will go in decreases as the amount of power you use goes up, but I’m giving you total and complete freedom to “up the ante” and “pick up the pace” on the 2 previous situations we talked about. Give it a try the next time you find yourself in either one of these situations, and you should really see a pretty descent improvement!
All the best,
Brian Hall, Your Tennis Mind Coach
TennisMindCamp
webmaster@tennismindcamp.com
P.S. I got some emails asking about that secret project I’m working on. But unfortunately, I can’t spill the beans just yet. All I can say right now is I’ve just been really working hard on something for you that’s going to be pretty amazing once it’s completed! I’ll shed so more light on it in the upcoming weeks.
…I think (…no I know) you’re really going to love it!
REMEMBER: I’m here for you if you have any questions about any of these tennis strategies or anything that you think would help put you over the hump. Simply hit reply in the email program you use or post it down below this post. 
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Great stuff coach! Yea, I always tend to get tentative on my passing shot because I don’t want to mess up
! I’m going to try this out today and have FUN with it! 
Right on! This makes total sense!
Thanks a million.
You guys are most welcome! I’m these strategies are really making a difference!
Ohhhh don’t worry! I’m about to turn up the heat on my buddy in our match after lunch haha! Keep em coming Brian. Your’re the best in the bizzzz!
Great advise Brian. I must add that there is another instance when you want to turn up the heat. You have just lost the first set 6-1 playing your normal finese game with lots of placement but little power. You must turn on the volts at the start of the second set to turn the match around. You have nothing to lose as your opponent is killing you anyway. Start hitting harder and your opponent might respond negatively and he might start giving you some free points. Your confidence can go up too. Try it….
Rafael
Need to tell my daughter to be offensive on the passing shot. While she was hitting with her coach, she hit a slice forehand at him while he was at the net. I immediately thought NO. Now I have some ammunition to justify my point.
Hey Adad,
I’m glad I could provide you with some strategy ammo for your daughter. The slice will just get her killed. You don’t want to set your opponent up… EVER haha. But if you take the pac off, that’s exactly what you’ll be doing.