It is the shot you want to hit, not the shot you have to hit!
Shot selection is a big topic in the camps and all athletes want shot selection.
Player: “Just skip the mechanics and the footwork part and give me shot selection!”
Unfortunately, with poor footwork and mechanics, you will get poor shot selection.
If you move to the ball late-you will hit the side wall and if you move early and close to the ball you will go cross court of hit the side wall. Opponents know that and they will set up camp waiting for the ball to come to them. Good footwork and mechanics means you can hit the shot you need to hit based on your opponent’s positioning. Poor footwork and mechanics means you will hit the ball where you have to hit it, not where you want to hit it. If there is space between your body and the ball, an arm and racquet’s worth of space, you can hit the shot you wish to hit.
If you have little or no space between you and the ball, you will hit the shot you have to hit, not the shot you should hit!