Marginal Gains in Live Match Play

Over the course of this series, we’ve developed a full understanding of your game, (Click Here) including your favorite shots, your top shot, and sequences that could enable you to set up your top shot with another pre-selected shot. (Click Here.)

Also, we identified your preferred cross-court pattern based on this overall understanding. (Click Here.) We also covered a number of training exercises that would allow you to hone these skills and sequences, so that you would be better able to rely on using them in live matches. (Click Here.)

So, let’s now look at live matches, specifically when rallies start to develop. We’ve already covered the various start of point scenarios and how you can find a small edge when serving and returning, so it’s time to think about how to handle the rallies once they develop beyond the initial 2 shots.

Strengths

The foundation of your strategy should be based on using your strengths, and trying to use the specific work you have carried out on the practice court. Are you able to recognize every opportunity to hit that top shot when it presents itself, and then make calculated decisions about whether to do it or opt for…