Two athletes come to me for a lesson. Athlete one is ranked on the pro tour. Athlete two is a C player who wants to play tournament. Athlete two gets my stationary drop and hit treatment on the forehand and backhand side. Why? I want them to learn how to hit with their lower body, not their upper body. Other teaching pros throw in a step and I do not. It is easy to step, shift your weight forward, and hit a shot. It is also easy to step all over the place and therefore become inconsistent at using your lower body.
But here’s the kicker! Athlete one, the pro, gets the same treatment. Yep, the touring pro has the same start for a “checkup” to make sure bad habits have not crept in. It does not take long for old habits to come back no matter the level an athlete competes at.
Both athletes move from drop and hit to more movement, and by movement I am usually talking half speed. Why? If you are moving or hitting incorrectly all full speed work will do is increase your margin of error. From half speed we may move competition speed. Competing builds better skills once skills are taught.
Last comes simulating competition. I strive to put my athletes under pressure in some practices. (disclaimer: I have to know them and vice versa usually to move to the pressure part) They are going to have to deal with it in competition so we might as well ramp it up in practice.
How do I do that? Secret sauce–hahaha–but competing against self is one of the best ways. For example, if I hit ten serves, I want 10 perfect serves. Charting the perfect serves focuses one on the objective you can control. I got other ways to subtly mix in the mental pressure with the skills!!
More skills=More kills!!!