Congratulations Dobbie!

That sounds like the sort of win that will get that team worried about playing you again next season 😀 Its good to hear you were able to terrorise their serves 🙂 Thats what I like to hear!

I am pleased to tell you all I was able to coach a lady partner I played with at a tournament recently to get through to the finals with her.

She and I played together, and she was mentally very nervous the whole day (despite the fact that she is a fantastic player). I stopped her nerves, with her help, because I noticed that she really focused when I told her to think about something. A simple “lets play another good low serve” changed her from a nervous wreck, into a confident and focussed nightmare at the net, at times destroying both opposing players by herself. It was a privilege to participate alongside her that day.

We came back from an 8 point deficit in the quarter finals, and saved 7 consecutive match points against VERY good players in the semi finals. And why? I imagine our opponents saw us, so calm and composed, so focussed in our game plan, that they started, as Paul alluded to earlier, playing to MY rhythm, instead of trying to impose their own. As soon as that happened, we were in control of the match, and lost in three tough games in the final. A great day, and only made possible by the amazing focus of my partner!

And Paul:

I couldn't agree more regarding the different rhythms of play! The way I see it, focussing on a players strength will enforce their natural rhythm. Improving their weaknesses, will enhance their natural game, and in many cases create new opportunities to play in different ways. Coupled with practice in playing in a different way, that player who is proficient in several styles sounds like a nightmare!

Matt

Dobbie, the weekend should be great 🙂

I know a guy who is a pretty good player, who spends the WHOLE of his time on court worrying about what he can do to cover for his partner. He tries everything, plays some awful shots, plays some good stuff, and more often than not, confuses his partner! I gave him some advice: play his game, within his comfort zone, and see how his partner copes with that!

On the one hand, you may lose a point or two because your partner has some weaknesses. However, it quickly paves the way to palying to each others strengths! He spent so long trying to cover for his partner, he forgot what made him a skillful player in the first place. its great that hes improving his game, but in a way, covering for his partner will stop his partner from developing! Madness!

This is a source of distraction which leads to a similar effect you mentioned! Not focussing on the next point, only worrying before it even happens!

Matt