Hi Guys. Played at sycamore and did averagely well, in 7 matches won 4 lost 3. In my group it was a very mixed bag of players and fact I don’t play much competition and have mainly been playing local league it was a great experience. My biggest problem was out of the 7 opponents 2 had long pips 2 had short pips. Short pips didn’t cause much issues once I got use to it but long pips caused me major problems and lost to both, Helmuth being one of them. Both long pips attacked with the pips rather than just blocking and threw me majorly off my game. I really struggled to get any rhythm. First game again Helmuth he kept doing fast serve from his pips to my Bh and I kept putting into net. It took me a game to get use fact I have to play a more active return my my own pace. I think my Bh has been off recently which didn’t help as usually I can loop and play fast Bh but even in practice matches it has been really missing. This lack of Bh also made other games against normal inverted players difficult for me. Usually anything long on my Bh I would just loop or play a fast Bh but recently even in practice I seem to have lost that zip Mayb due to practicing a lot of other things. I need to get that zip back as it’s a big strength for me. Against normal players and I actually noticed even in practice matches at my club I tend to be soft and too safe and I don’t know how to keep that power game going on my Bh. during training with Bh to Bh I can do with perfect timing even kick for kick but for some reason in match play I’m reaching for the ball and playing away from body. In matches I will play a good spinny open up but when it’s blocked back I don’t tend to play a great shot it seems safe. My fh 5th ball attack is great I don’t think twice, anything loose I will pounce on with my fh but on Bh that 5th ball and beyond just lacks that power or intent.
After all that my question is how to train that Bh? I think I need to work on irregular drills as when it’s regular I’m quickly in position and I play great Bh but irregular like in match I either reach for it or I play too soft. Even when I get a soft block back my next shot seems to be too safe. My Bh in match and Bh in practice is just not the same
