Planning points: how deep

Ilia Minkin Asked 10 years ago

Yesterday I saw an interview with a former russian national team player Maxim Shmyrev. One of the most interesting things that he told, was the following story. After recovery from a serious injury, he had to play with a very good player to whom he lost before. What allowed Maxim to win, as he said, is that he carefully planned all (!) points in seven games long before the match. I think that this is a bit of exaggeration, bot how much? Do pros really plan specific points even before entering the game? Or most planning occurs between points (or during?) and games? And how deep one should think about playing specific point?

For example, there is a well-known combination of playing a no-spin serve hoping that the opponent will pop-up the ball for an easy 3rd ball kill. But does it make sense to think about what may happen after a 3rd ball attack? Or trying to work-out alternative scenarios, like "That guy has a forehand flick and is used to play it cross-court, so in case if he reads the serve well I should be ready to counter attack from my forehand". Or that kind of planning only mixes everything up?

I see that there is a lesson "Game plan" where you work-out some weak sides of Jeff. But, returning to the questions above, is it really enough, or one should try to plan beforehand some very concrete and specific combinations that exploit the opponents' game, not only just "weak sides"?

Alois Rosario Answered 10 years ago

Hi Ilia,

Players will tend to have a basic tactic of what they are going to aim to do during a match.  Then each point will be a little different.  Before you serve each serve you will think about what type of serve you will do for that point.  It will change each point depending on what has been happening during the game.

There will still be certain things that are pertinent for the whole match.

If you utilise the Vault it will also give you some ideas.