JOOLA USA

 During the last few months, I've played in my share of tournaments interspersed with training. I have to say, match play when used correctly is a great way to get out of old habits. It sounds sort of strange, since most players tend to revert to comfortable strokes and tactics during a match. For example, one might work on a fast down the line serve, only to find that in a match it just seems too risky. The argument I would make, however, is that even a missed serve down the line or one that is attacked is better than not attempting the serve at all during the game. The long term effect is that incorporating the serve makes your other serves more effective.

Without practice, of course, one cannot improve technique for strokes. However, without match play, one cannot build the confidence required to consistently implement change in one's game. Detaching yourself from the outcome of even a rated match can be difficult, but is sometimes necessary for long term improvement. This is something that I have lived by over the last few months, and I must say my game has improved because of it. I play more aggressive yet disciplined, and I feel more confident in my ability to dictate as well as my ability to come through in the clutch. I hope learning to implement change through the correct use of match play can benefit many other players as well, regardless of level.