Rehashing an entire match takes time and patience. When my athletes and I go over a match, one hour at least is needed to gauge the ebb and flow of competition. One of my favorite questions is, “What were you thinking on this shot?”
Another favorite observation of mine is “Here’s what I feel you were doing here on this rally. Am I correct?”
It takes patience to win and sometimes an athlete gets too impatient. This leads to unforced errors on difficult shots where a simple ceiling ball would have been the best choice. That can work the other way also as often a player hits a ceiling ball when they should have shot the ball.
Scenario: Athlete with the serve and attempts a rekill off a chest high shot. Athlete has a 7 point lead.
Analysis: good idea-expand the lead so not wrong but a ceiling ball may have been the better choice.
Same scenario but only a one point lead.
Analysis-Bad idea-ceiling ball in that situation!
Scenario: a 3/4 court short ceiling ball by opponent-player hits it back to the ceiling. Athlete has a 7 point lead and the serve. Bad idea! Bring the ball down with an overhead or chest high backhand. Aim one wall down the line about two feet high or cross court to force the action.
Same scenario but a tie game and receiving serve. Take the same shot! Put pressure on the opponent! Keep the pressure on!!
Same scenario but playing a great athletic player-hit the ceiling ball! Make them play skill ball not reactive ball!
Get the idea? The shot selection changes with opponents, situations, and offensive opportunities.