Being able to recognize which shots, skills or tactics favor a player’s strengths and game style is a key to success in a match. By identifying strengths and building a game (strategy and tactics) around those strengths, a player has a better chance of producing a strategy that is hard for an opponent to counterattack and beat.
Just as important is recognizing an opponent’s strengths and creating your strategy accordingly. Ideally, a player wants to be playing his strengths into his opponent’s weaknesses, but there will be times (or opponents) where a player will be playing his strengths into his opponent’s strengths. This is where mental focus and technical execution is critical. Also, knowing the opponent’s strengths will help a player develop a counter strategy to offset his opponent’s tactics.
At the same time, it’s also important for a player to recognize his weaknesses as well, so that not only can he begin improving them, but he will know when and how to avoid certain situations during a point. If, for example, a player does not have a strong and accurate swing volley, it would not be wise to go for that shot when moving in to the net on a critical point. Or if a player is not strong at the net, his tactic would be to hit approach shots that enable him to hit easier volleys or win the point outright without having to hit a volley. |
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