I’ve already got grey market CNT rubber boosted to the gills on my forehand. It’s curled up like a pepperoni and it squirts on hard counter loops. My backhand rubber is a banned Dr. Neubauer from 15 years ago with the LARC numbers shaved off. And I hide my serves so well that only my wife and god know what kind of spin I have. But I play local league and most of my matches don’t even have an umpire let alone racket control. What are some other ways you have found to tip the scales in your favor?
Personally, I’ve been serving an egg at crucial moments. Right after your opponent passes you the ball, say “Eww, the ball is wet.” Act grossed-out by their sweat to put them on the back foot. Pretend that you are wiping the ball off by putting it in your pocket, but secretly palm the egg you have hidden away. Serve short to the backhand. When the egg breaks, you must react first; don’t let them have the initiative. Say, “you passed me an egg! What the hell!?” If they act incredulous, stay accusatory and indignant. Say, “I can’t believe you’d do that at 5-8,” (it’s actually 4-8). Set down your racket immediately and go get some paper towels to clean up the egg. Shake your head and sigh loudly as you smear the egg around the table. When you finally have it all cleaned up, say “Alright, where were we? I know I had 5. We just changed serve so it must be 5-7.” If they protest, just say “are you done playing pranks?” If done well, you get two points and a free timeout, and now you are in your opponent’s head. Only problem is that you can’t really do it more than once in match or they will catch on.
What other techniques are there to get a leg-up on league night?
Personally, I’ve been serving an egg at crucial moments. Right after your opponent passes you the ball, say “Eww, the ball is wet.” Act grossed-out by their sweat to put them on the back foot. Pretend that you are wiping the ball off by putting it in your pocket, but secretly palm the egg you have hidden away. Serve short to the backhand. When the egg breaks, you must react first; don’t let them have the initiative. Say, “you passed me an egg! What the hell!?” If they act incredulous, stay accusatory and indignant. Say, “I can’t believe you’d do that at 5-8,” (it’s actually 4-8). Set down your racket immediately and go get some paper towels to clean up the egg. Shake your head and sigh loudly as you smear the egg around the table. When you finally have it all cleaned up, say “Alright, where were we? I know I had 5. We just changed serve so it must be 5-7.” If they protest, just say “are you done playing pranks?” If done well, you get two points and a free timeout, and now you are in your opponent’s head. Only problem is that you can’t really do it more than once in match or they will catch on.
What other techniques are there to get a leg-up on league night?
