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Last night, I felt I had a very good practice with 4 different partners.
1. Despite my FH loop totally disappearing from my toolbox, I was able to hit steadily enough FH to FH with a woman partner I've hit with before. Consciously trying to relax and not rush my stroke as well as trying to meet ball earlier. Good and steady FH from me. WHEW!
We then went BH-BH ... she is a TPB and steady blocker and aggressive puncher. I started RPB punching ok enough. Then I went to flat hitting 50-75% power/speed ... later I started RPB hit/loop 50% power/speed/spin.
Lot of people waiting and I thanked her for the practice and took a break.
2. Next I hit with a friend who advised me Tues night that i should look to just return the ball and ignore if i lost the point or not from my partner's return ... as long as I didn't have an "unforced error" ... just play steady and not go for the killshot ... just return the ball ... dont rush my shots. We hit FH-FH and same as first partner, i looked to hit steady, meet ball earlier and don't rush my shot. Felt good. He started FH looping and I FH block him.
Then BH-BH - he's a JPen with good punch ... he has seen me play/practice through the year and amazed at my RPB transition is halfway decent. I punched and then i went to spin. Good practice and I thanked him for the advice of just playing steady and return the ball.
3. Lost badly to my friend on Tuesday night ... he is at my level or 1 level below. He suggested instead of a match (as there was no one waiting for next) we just practice. And before I even suggested to practice points as ttmonster advised, my friend suggested it! The Universe works in mysterious ways!!
I think he suggested it partly because he knows my serves give him trouble and he wanted to practice serve return and I get to work matchplay situations without keeping score. I was able to serve rockets to his FH, and as he is a lefty, it's crosscourt for me and I was able to 50% of the time 3rd ball RPB punch down the line. It shocked both him and me LOL He has seen me concentrate on RPB so most of his returns were to my BH to help out.
He mentioned next time I hit with him we do the same thing again. We practiced for an hour! Great practice!! I thanked him for his time and practice.
4. Hit with a friend who is maybe 1 or 2 levels below me. He also wanted to practice matchplay without keeping score. Although he wanted to start BH-BH and on 4th ball+ we can hit anywhere. Didn't want me to serve. From previous partners I really started 'flowing' on RPB, mixing up blocks, punches, flat hitting and spinning. Felt good. Hit for 30 mins and was tired and time to go home. Thanked him for the practice.
He has watched my RPB progress from the sidelines and complimented me on how it's coming along for me.
Felt somewhat in the RPB zone last night and really started flowing as it got later.
Had fun and enjoyed the practice.
1. Despite my FH loop totally disappearing from my toolbox, I was able to hit steadily enough FH to FH with a woman partner I've hit with before. Consciously trying to relax and not rush my stroke as well as trying to meet ball earlier. Good and steady FH from me. WHEW!
We then went BH-BH ... she is a TPB and steady blocker and aggressive puncher. I started RPB punching ok enough. Then I went to flat hitting 50-75% power/speed ... later I started RPB hit/loop 50% power/speed/spin.
Lot of people waiting and I thanked her for the practice and took a break.
2. Next I hit with a friend who advised me Tues night that i should look to just return the ball and ignore if i lost the point or not from my partner's return ... as long as I didn't have an "unforced error" ... just play steady and not go for the killshot ... just return the ball ... dont rush my shots. We hit FH-FH and same as first partner, i looked to hit steady, meet ball earlier and don't rush my shot. Felt good. He started FH looping and I FH block him.
Then BH-BH - he's a JPen with good punch ... he has seen me play/practice through the year and amazed at my RPB transition is halfway decent. I punched and then i went to spin. Good practice and I thanked him for the advice of just playing steady and return the ball.
3. Lost badly to my friend on Tuesday night ... he is at my level or 1 level below. He suggested instead of a match (as there was no one waiting for next) we just practice. And before I even suggested to practice points as ttmonster advised, my friend suggested it! The Universe works in mysterious ways!!
I think he suggested it partly because he knows my serves give him trouble and he wanted to practice serve return and I get to work matchplay situations without keeping score. I was able to serve rockets to his FH, and as he is a lefty, it's crosscourt for me and I was able to 50% of the time 3rd ball RPB punch down the line. It shocked both him and me LOL He has seen me concentrate on RPB so most of his returns were to my BH to help out.
He mentioned next time I hit with him we do the same thing again. We practiced for an hour! Great practice!! I thanked him for his time and practice.
4. Hit with a friend who is maybe 1 or 2 levels below me. He also wanted to practice matchplay without keeping score. Although he wanted to start BH-BH and on 4th ball+ we can hit anywhere. Didn't want me to serve. From previous partners I really started 'flowing' on RPB, mixing up blocks, punches, flat hitting and spinning. Felt good. Hit for 30 mins and was tired and time to go home. Thanked him for the practice.
He has watched my RPB progress from the sidelines and complimented me on how it's coming along for me.
Felt somewhat in the RPB zone last night and really started flowing as it got later.
Had fun and enjoyed the practice.