JOOLA USA

Coaching Corner

1. Winning each point;
2. Establishing your game;
3. Identifying what parts of your game work against this opponent, and what parts do not.

Let's focus on #3 above. Ideally, when you establish your game (#2), you will find strengths of yours that dominate your opponent, which essentially solves the problems of #1 and #3. But if your opponent is roughly your level, it usually won't be that simple.

Instead, you need to identify what specific parts of your game are effective, both in their direct effectiveness and in getting them into play. (An overpowering loop doesn't help if you aren't able to use it.) You also have to identify which are not effective. You should do a checklist.

Remember that your strengths might not be a strength against a particular player, while a weakness might suddenly be a strength. A powerful backhand might normally be a strength, but against a player who plays off your speed, it might lose its effeciveness. A steady but weak backhand might be more effective in this case.

Once you've zeroed in on what actually works, go to it! Have no mercy; if you have a strength your opponent cannot stop, or your opponent has a weakness he cannot cover, zero in on these and pound it to victory. But make sure your opponent is not able to do this to you. If he can, it's back to the practice table.