16d • Train Smarter
Before → After: From “hits hard” to “plays with intention”
Early on, my feedback was, “That guy hits the ball hard.” I thought that meant I was winning. Then I got moved up and learned fast: higher-level players let my drives sail long, blocked, or reset me back to neutral. In dink rallies I felt trapped - no plan, just force.The shift came when I stopped chasing pace and started playing with intention: slow the game, take the middle when it’s there, and earn the attack. The feedback changed to, “He has a purpose for every shot—and he’s tricky.” I can live with that.
What changed:
- From power → position: Deep serve/return, then get set early.
- From force → earn: Below-net = drop/reset; high/short = drive at the hip.
- From random → pattern: Dink to a target (outside foot/middle), then take the first makeable ball.
Two simple reps this week:
- Third-shot matrix (8 mins): 8 drops baseline, 8 from mid-court. Call drop or drive before contact.
- Dink pattern (6 mins): Cross-court → middle → down-the-line, repeat. Add one shoulder speed-up only when you’ve moved them.
Where are you forcing shots instead of earning it - serve/return depth, third-shot choice, or dinks?
Post: your one switch + one drill you’ll run + when you’ll do it.
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Before → After: From “hits hard” to “plays with intention”
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