Playing in an Unevenly Skilled Game

 I've talked about playing with players who have very different skill levels before.  I wanted to touch on this a bit more.

The May Nissen games are interesting.  I spent my formative years at the Downs before seeking more social contact and more fun.  MN is quite good in both those areas.  And in my opinion, the play is about what Downs was a few years back.  Maybe not quite at that level, but the differences between the beginners and advanced at MN is a lot closer than it was at the early days of Downs.  And everyone is getting better.

When I get the chance, I like to play with a regular partner.  And the last couple of times out to Muirwood and MN, I've done that.  Most of the time that means that my partner and I are more experienced than the people we play against.  My goal and usually that of my partner, is not to win every game, but to play at a good level and try not to make a lot of mistakes.  I will also frequently not put away pop ups and such as there is no real point to that, it ends the rally, which is bad, and is boring.  

If you remember the post about Mark, a 4.3 player, who was almost too tough to beat.  I realized that I could learn more by playing against him than playing with him.  To do that there are a couple of things you want to do.  Forget about winning, you probably can't in any case and there worrying about the score will get in the way of your ability to analyze what's going on during the points.

For example, Mark was very fast and would poach almost always.  Hitting a floating shot over the middle of the net towards his partner would not work.  OK, note to self, keep the ball low.  Maybe hit it down Mark's alley on occasion to keep him more honest.

If you play against me, I will try to control the kitchen line, always.  If you stay on the baseline after hitting a service return, I will always hit the ball to you and then I will move to the kitchen line.  That will require you to hit a vary good shot.  Anything marginal and I'll try to keep you pinned in the back.

After playing awhile we all find a style of play and a set of shots with which we are comfortable.  It's hard to stray from the style of play and shots.  Fine, we all do that.  But if we come up against a pair that are challenging and maybe play a different style, it's rarely good to try to outplay them by adopting their style.

A example of this from my play.  There are some pairs that hit the ball pretty hard and whether it goes in or not is kind of a secondary consideration.  It is not in my best interest to try to outhit them.  And it's been my experience that bangers are happy to hit hard balls, but struggle with soft shots.  Even soft serves can cause them problems.  Basically, you have to play your own game.  That can be scary, but it's been my experience that it's surprisingly effective.

A couple more thoughts on playing against bangers.  They hit a lot of out balls.  And since they hit the ball hard, if they don't skim the net, there is a good chance the ball is long.  It is very much a skill to duck a hard shot.  A proper ready position will allow you to drop your entire body.  And, most importantly, expect and look for these shots.  Most players will telegraph such a shot with a big windup; your first indication that a duck might be proper.

To improve your skill at spotting out balls, watch some of the games with the hitters.  You will see that a lot of balls that are going out are played.  Make your opponents earn their points, don't hit out balls.

Final word on ducking, a useful phrase my friend Betsy passed on to me...  "Shoulder high, let it fly!"  Or something like that.

Good ducking and happy play my friends.