(Picture Credit - Waldner by Guano)
3\2\13: A postponement, a "cup week" (we are Out!) and a "blank week": couldn't be a quieter start to the 2nd half of the season. Seems ages since we beat "Fast Shipping" 6-4. Oh well, am recovering from my injuries.
From the 11th February, however, we will be all action: 2 matches in 2 days and a busy “Closed Championship Week”! The good news is that my back and knee are now okay for the rest, though my left heel is still sore.
Been thinking. Against long-pimples the first choice tactic is to flat-bat everything. Push or hit straight through the ball to avoid putting any spin on the ball. Simples. Topspin drives can be effective too so long as you go more for power than spin. “Alternating” (chop\loop) is an option also , especially if your loop creates lots of backspin for you to handle. Actually topspin-driving works well against Pete Calvert’s anti-loop rubber.
The big decision with alternating is
whether to loop or chop first. If you open with a loop you will get lots of
chop back... But if you chop initially you will receive an attackable topspin
ball. Against pimples You decide what’s on the return, but you Must remember
what you’ve decided! Of course once your opponent uses his spin-side, all this
changes! That’s the challenge: so much to think about.
They say you should never compromise on
your main game. Yet I can think of many situations in which you simply have to.
For example, having to be patient against a chop player or a lower-league
opponent with a points handicap. Then there is playing against long pimples or
anti-loop, as I’ve said. Wheelchair-users such as Colin Woodford present
another unique challenge: you have to push more and beware the early block.
Think that covers everything, for now. Out.
(But do please scroll down for earlier posts)
