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Net Notes: Sustainability
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If you compete in doubles at the 3.0 to 3.5 level of play you will run across teams that can be defeated by simply keeping the ball in play until the technical flaws inherent in the 3.0 to 3.5 players game display themselves and hand you the victory.
You may also cross swords with a more technically sound and tactically savvy team (particularly at the 3.5 level) to whom you will need to press the issue by attacking at the net.
Are you able to do both?
If you can’t sustain a rally of eight or 10 shots routinely without going ballistic and trying for some goofy circus shot, or simply can’t continue to make a good swing as the rally gets tense, you will lose to that solid team every time.
If you are consistent during the rally but still unable to win the majority of the points in the match you must have the ability to press the attack through mid court and at the kill zone nearer the net.
A carpenter has a box of tools that differs in composition from basic tools for rough in jobs like framing, to a very sophisticated set of instruments for making cabinets or fine furniture.
To compete favorably at the higher levels of tennis you’ll need to have a grasp of the tools necessary to change your tactics according to the need in match play.
You must constantly work on your ability to sustain a rally from the backcourt but don’t neglect the other two thirds of the game (midcourt and forecourt skills) that you will need to have any chance of competing well at anything beyond the 2.5 to 3.0 level.
Have your coach do an inventory of your tool box and then add the equipment necessary to give you a fighting chance to succeed.
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Howie Burnett is a member of the United States Professional Tennis Association and tennis director at the Island Country Club on Marco Island. Burnett welcomes questions on strokes, tactics or etiquette. To reach him, call the tennis shop at 394-4464 or e-mail him at islandclubtennis@hotmail.com.
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