Developing Quicker

Rob Janssen Asked 9 years ago

Hi Coach,

I feel that I developed a lot over the past one and a half year;

My game 1,5 year ago; Only pushing waiting for the opponent to make a mistake and only smashing on really high returns.

My game now;  Now I have a topspin orientated game and put pressure on my opponent (I am able to compete with the best players in my club)

So I want to know what can I do to develop more and quicker, after being relegated last season when winning 80% of the matches I played I am making a jump from team 3 to team 1 of my club. I played 3rd class seniors and now I’m going over to 1st class seniors, which is a lot higher. Now even when I think Im going to lose most of my matches I am really looking forward to it. 

I want to develop as fast as possible and I want to be able to play high as possible. It’s my dream to play in the eredivision (holland) one day and as I look back at how I developed in the past 2 years it will be possible but I have to keep developing.

But I play at a club that does only play twice a week 3 hours per day so that only 6 hours a week and only 2 hours of real training (remaining 4 hours are practice matches). Which is way too less in my opinion. I would love to play all day long 7 days a week haha.

So I was thinking about buying a new robot, the butterfly Amicus Advance. I think it will be a very good robot to perfect my technique and footwork and train on different match situations.

Do you think this will be good for me? perhaps you will have some more tips for me?

Alois Rosario Answered 9 years ago

Hi Rob,

Firstly well done on your development.  It sounds like you have progressed a long way.

I think the next step is to think about increasing the reliability and variation of your topspin strokes.  Often it isn’t the fastest ball that wins points but the one that your opponent is not expecting.

As far as a robot, they are OK but not an ideal practice partner.  Is it possible to find someone individually from the group that would like to train with you once a week.  This would be much more beneficial.