Elements of balance and strategy
As a player you are always in a condition of dynamic balance. A player is constantly moving in preparation and shot selection and then finishing the shot in accord with proper procedures. The techniques themselves are dependent upon the level of preparation that can be initiated so there is a need for tremendous anticipation and readiness along with intrinsic quickness to establish position.
From the point of view of an unbiased spectator there exists a dance that is spontaneous and follows the rhythm of the opponent in the highest examples. Each player is moving in consort with the other in opposition and harmony. The whole development of points is an artistic quest for perfection when the adversary is of similar talent.
When one player is restricted by either the lack of proper technique, weakness or disability of movement an advantage is created. In this momentary advantage the aggressive player has an opportunity to take decisive action. The proper choice of shot selection is the key point to insuring a winning shot. There are always options and in these options there are better choices. The options are determined not only on the best shot in general circumstances but the best option based on safest specific alternatives, future shot selection and versus the talents or weaknesses of individual opponents
The general practice that besets most players is the attempt aggressive shots when the payoff is limited. To play an aggressive shot one must be in a commanding situation and also know the risk reward ratio of each shot. Not only in the realm of a professional but at the level of an amateur shot selection is primary rather than secondary.
It is helpful to look at specifics yet let us continue the general framework of the competitive match.
Two players of equal ability are in a competitive stance hitting from the baseline. Both have solid shot making ability from the baseline. The balls are landing deep and consistent and there is no more or less an advantage for either. The opportunity comes when a ball is either hit short or slower which allows the secondary or receiving player to have more time to get ready and focus both power and direction into the shot.
Considering that the balls will travel back and forth across the net from 75 to 95 feet in under one second or there abouts the greatest need is for anticipation and quickness which can never be understated. This dynamic balance requires a player to move to either side within one to three steps. Any more and it is a decided disability which can be capitalized by the opponent.
From the first ball hit in the rally an aerobic workout begins which can extend infinitely yet the average rally is less than 10 shots between players. So the points do not last over 10 seconds as a general rule. A 10 second run flat out is world record time in a 100 meter sprint. Yet a 10 second run in a tennis match with starts and stops and the adrenalin adjustments can be quite taxing. In tennis each player's attention, preparation, follow through, and readiness for the next shot is 100%. There are no teammates to shift the attention to. All shots are made or lost the one on the court.
So with this obvious understanding the pressure is increased by the fact that there is no other option. Dependent upon the score one player will have the advantage of reduce overall pressure while the other will have an increased level. Still during each point the pressure is equalized until one of the players takes the advantage.
During this short segment of advantage the opportunity to hit a winner will surface as the quickest way to end the point. This may or may not be realized by a one shot resolution but can be won over an increasingly well planned strategy of dominance. Herein is where an experience player will continue to raise the level of pressure on the opponent while lessening his.
Consequently, if a short ball is hit to the middle of the court the aggressive player by trying for a huge winner will in fact lessen the pressure on an opponent by going for a winner. The ball goes in and the point is over and so the pressure is released immediately and the defensive player shrugs off the point and had no further physical weakening. Secondarily the aggressive player runs the risk of losing the point and thus creating more pressure on himself to his further detriment by losing the point and losing confidence in being unable to comfortably hit a winner on the next shot.
In a more strategic manner and with less loss and more gain the winner can be hit strong enough to cause the defensive player great physical stress and pressure and allow the aggressive player further advantage over the next shot if it comes back. The shot being aggressively hit will be constrained to be returned upon defined lines and therefore the aggressive player is knowledgeable of the options and the percentages that the ball will be returned. Witnessing this proper preparation can be made to be in the most advantageous position to hit the net shot for a winner.
This provides for two very important aspects to the game; first, being the aggressive player does not lose the advantage and secondly, the advantage is taken to full usefulness. The defensive player will be weakened twofold; first through physical stress and secondarily a strategic weakening. Over the course of the match he will experience a strong disability by being severely punished for hitting shots that lack depth and direction.
Overall the importance of shot selection is and will always be the primary differential between a player and a pretender. Of course a pretender can hit winners and look good on the court. To become a champion and to win tournaments obvious weaknesses in shot selection will appear quite clearly over the course of matches. A pretender will be unable to adjust when attacked upon the weaker side or facing a player who chooses shots wisely and with definition.
A coach who teaches shot selection will be one who understands the flow of a game and is not resident in the trap of techniques. A player can have all the shots but knowing when and how to use them under pressure or in positions of advantage will determine the difference between a winner and a loser. Again it is the most important element to transform a weak player into a tournament champion.