Thursday 29 September 2011

Developing a play style

Are you a club tennis player trying to identify why you get beaten by certain players? Are you a beginner tennis player seeking more insight about the basic game types? If so, then this topic is designed especially for you.
Every tennis player has their own game or play-style. Learning and mastering some of the major play-styles in the game will definitely make you one of the most formidable players out there! I have tried to describe the various styles and how each one can work in your favor. Before that you might want to consider reading my previous article Tips to finding a good sparring partner.

Baseliner
To be a good baseline player, you should be able to spot a winner and take a chance on one. Being a baseline player provides you with the advantage of wearing your opponent out before the know it. It is about driving the ball into corners of the court or down the line, thus pushing your opponent into defense. Baseliners hit very hard and deep shots. Frustration sets in for an opponent playing against a baseliner, when you don’t miss or tire. This type of play is common among most pro tennis players.

Pusher/Human Backboard
This play style is one of the most effective in tennis today. It is best suited for people who play in local league matches. If you adapt the pusher’s game, you tend to increase the accuracy of your shots during a match. This play style involves mainly returning the ball into your opponent’s court. If they are not resilient, they might want to go for a hard shot or two which could result in an unforced error on their path. Pushers who are capable of hitting very low and deep shots get the job done in a match.
Taking a volley
Serve and volley
Although getting a serve right can a great difficulty for most tennis players, it can be of great advantage in a match as in the case of the serve and volley style of play. This is the player who goes out on the court to deliver very hard shots, runs quickly to the T to hit a hard volley after your return, and continues to do this in the match till they obtain maximum points.
They continue to work out the opposition till they spot a flaw, which they take advantage of. You would constantly be attacking at the net if you are in this category of players. Unforced errors by the opposition are common place for your opponent with this style. 

Counterpunch hitter and Moonballer
I know I might spark some debates for placing both these techniques in the same category. Well I did this because counterpunching players and moonballers adapt each other's game when needed. Moonballers hit with strong topspin on their balls. It can get tricky for your opposition especially if their approach time for the ball is not exactly correct. Counterpunching play as the name suggests is mainly about counter attacking the other player’s shots. It becomes difficult after some time to keep up with this player’s topspin balls and eventually most people give in.

All court king
If you’ve already made up your mind about which style of play to adopt, wait till you read this. The All-court-king is a person who manages to master a variety or all of the various skills and can adjust their play to suit them in a match. Their arsenal is always full and they have the right counter for every shot. Even among pro tennis players, few have completely mastered the art. It involves a lot of practice, but is achievable. This provides you with a wide selection of shots and moves to use when in a match.
To identify which group you belong, you can take this short quiz Which category of tennis players do you fall under?
You may also read one of my most popular articles Amazing :List of the 10 most influential tennis players of today
 

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