Who doesn't want to play up? I guess if the match were for money you wouldn't, right? Guess what, it is for money. Players who play up are getting a chance to test their skills in a new forum of players, coaches, and clubs. Players who receive those players are giving them a chance. There is that day when you are the new kid on the block. Just remember that when you play it takes two to tango. Some players are moving down the club ladder: lack of conditioning, age, injury, etc. Today I'm talking about playing up: those players who have been hitting the ball machine, taking lessons, hitting the gym, and want a chance to showcase their skills.
I remembered playing my first tournament, a fourteen and under tournament in Barnstable. First I beat several opponents before losing to Tom who became a team-mate at Falmouth High School. Playing up in that tournament gave me my first forum to test skills. Before then it was the backboard of West Falmouth and random players at public courts. Playing up was always a treat because the environment tested you. It made you want to practice, get calloused hands, ride your bike to ball parks, look at new racquets, read tennis magazines, and run. I was hooked on improving and getting chances to play up.
When you play up expect to be surprised. Balls that regularly score you points don't. Your opponent gets to them and makes counter attacks. So you lose points that regularly go in the win column. The next thing you try to do is raise your level too much. You risk too soon and often. The result is a quick bad loss. The best thing to do is to make the easy shots well. What are the easy shots? Get the first serve in and place it with a plan, example: serve wide to the strength and then hit over to the less powerful side. That is a good play. It's percentage and it keeps your mind on the doing rather than panicking. Another play would be to return the line of the ball no matter what. Believe it or not better players make more mistakes holding a rally rather making great shots. When you hold the rally they tend to think--Hey this guy/gal can hit. Once you've created that thought in their mind, you're on your way to developing points. To compete you have to get your first two shots in play--the serve and next shot and the return and the next shot.That can be your first goal, compete, hit two shots in a row. The next goal is get into a winning position. If your're not competing then get back to basics. The next thing we tend to do when playing up is put the ball away twice as hard. IT's more effective to be more selective approaching the net, rally verses drop shot, or pass verses lob. Each one of those decisions can cost you points. Focus on execution. Read that again. It's all about executing the fundamentals. There's only so much you can do with smoke and mirrors. Try to get ready faster, smooth your swing out, stay low, see the ball early, and raise your level. Better execution trumps elaborate schemes. Above all stay relaxed so you can perform. If you become a stiff then your're done.This is why many big upsets happen with low ranked players. They are relaxed. They have nothing to lose. Their body relaxes and they just channel greatness. They have no conscious fear and their shots show it. They go in and they find the zone.
When you're playing up play your "A" game not your "B" game. If you volley best then come to the net as much as possible. If ground stroke best then let your partner take the net and play the back court. Playing up is not the day to test out new strings, new shots, and a new game style. Save that for the practice court. Today is the day to do what you do best. You have to play your best to win. Plan your best shots (partner's too) against the your opponents "B" game. They may still win but you've increased your chances. When I play I'm always searching for a way to increase my chances and decrease my opponent's chances. If I'm going to lose I'll lose slow. It's not good to lose fast. They may beat me 6-0,6-0 but their going to have to win every point and I'm going to keep them out there for one and one half hour. That's different then shaking hands before the first half hour bell rings. That is the worst.
Finally, in life we all have chances to play up. Take advantage of those situations and play them. If you don't you'll second guess yourself. When you get in those situations play your "A" game and learn. Take those lessons to the practice court and train to improve your skills. Also remember that you are not at the level of your opponent unless you can get into a position to win. There's a difference between playing up and over your head. Take small steps as you move up. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither is your game. It takes a lifetime.
I remembered playing my first tournament, a fourteen and under tournament in Barnstable. First I beat several opponents before losing to Tom who became a team-mate at Falmouth High School. Playing up in that tournament gave me my first forum to test skills. Before then it was the backboard of West Falmouth and random players at public courts. Playing up was always a treat because the environment tested you. It made you want to practice, get calloused hands, ride your bike to ball parks, look at new racquets, read tennis magazines, and run. I was hooked on improving and getting chances to play up.
When you play up expect to be surprised. Balls that regularly score you points don't. Your opponent gets to them and makes counter attacks. So you lose points that regularly go in the win column. The next thing you try to do is raise your level too much. You risk too soon and often. The result is a quick bad loss. The best thing to do is to make the easy shots well. What are the easy shots? Get the first serve in and place it with a plan, example: serve wide to the strength and then hit over to the less powerful side. That is a good play. It's percentage and it keeps your mind on the doing rather than panicking. Another play would be to return the line of the ball no matter what. Believe it or not better players make more mistakes holding a rally rather making great shots. When you hold the rally they tend to think--Hey this guy/gal can hit. Once you've created that thought in their mind, you're on your way to developing points. To compete you have to get your first two shots in play--the serve and next shot and the return and the next shot.That can be your first goal, compete, hit two shots in a row. The next goal is get into a winning position. If your're not competing then get back to basics. The next thing we tend to do when playing up is put the ball away twice as hard. IT's more effective to be more selective approaching the net, rally verses drop shot, or pass verses lob. Each one of those decisions can cost you points. Focus on execution. Read that again. It's all about executing the fundamentals. There's only so much you can do with smoke and mirrors. Try to get ready faster, smooth your swing out, stay low, see the ball early, and raise your level. Better execution trumps elaborate schemes. Above all stay relaxed so you can perform. If you become a stiff then your're done.This is why many big upsets happen with low ranked players. They are relaxed. They have nothing to lose. Their body relaxes and they just channel greatness. They have no conscious fear and their shots show it. They go in and they find the zone.
When you're playing up play your "A" game not your "B" game. If you volley best then come to the net as much as possible. If ground stroke best then let your partner take the net and play the back court. Playing up is not the day to test out new strings, new shots, and a new game style. Save that for the practice court. Today is the day to do what you do best. You have to play your best to win. Plan your best shots (partner's too) against the your opponents "B" game. They may still win but you've increased your chances. When I play I'm always searching for a way to increase my chances and decrease my opponent's chances. If I'm going to lose I'll lose slow. It's not good to lose fast. They may beat me 6-0,6-0 but their going to have to win every point and I'm going to keep them out there for one and one half hour. That's different then shaking hands before the first half hour bell rings. That is the worst.
Finally, in life we all have chances to play up. Take advantage of those situations and play them. If you don't you'll second guess yourself. When you get in those situations play your "A" game and learn. Take those lessons to the practice court and train to improve your skills. Also remember that you are not at the level of your opponent unless you can get into a position to win. There's a difference between playing up and over your head. Take small steps as you move up. Rome wasn't built in a day and neither is your game. It takes a lifetime.
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