Thanks Dan. Yes I do get caught up too much in how I’m taught in training rather than playing the opponent.
I played prem Kettering league last night which is the hardest league of the leagues I play as there’s no easy team or even easy opponent it seems every match is a challenge and I won all 3. One of which I won from 2-0 down. I was disappointed as in first end I was 9-3 up playing a really strong game and he got 3 nets on trot to make it 9-6 and it just got to me and I lost that end 11-9. Next end I think was still hangover from first end so I lost that. Made unforced errors trying to attack serves too strong and then from third end changed tactics as he doesn’t often 3rd ball straight away and he prefers to counter instead so instead I pushed his serve or touched and then when he he pushed long back I attacked strongly. I took the next 3 ends relatively comfortably just by not rushing my first attack.
I think the training I do which is always 3rd ball or attack anything remotely long including opponent serves so I get in first im engraved to play that way whereas against certain opponents I don’t always need to attack serves even if they are long if they aren’t going to 3rd ball then I have luxury to actually push one.
I think I’m very guilty at watching high level players and adopting that style which yes works 70% of the time but if I don’t have to always play that way then why risk unforced errors. I think key now is for me is to adopt tactics against various opponents and their style. If I play someone who likes attacking then I know I need to get in first, if an opponent isn’t so aggressive then I do t need to really rush myself.
I think game awareness is more key than actually trying the play the perfect way all the time. I think it’s my mindset I don’t like pushing anything if it’s clickable I like to flick if it’s long I like to just attack. I find in my head pushing unattractive style due to watching how tt should be played.
