I played a set VS a USTA 4.5...but WITH A CATCH! (Tennis set mic'd up)

In this video I played a set vs Winston Du (USTA 4.5), but I was not allowed to HIT WINNERS! My goal is to show you how to play players who are below your level. I'll walk you through my strategies, decision-making to show you my approach when playing matches like this.
►► Want to win more points? Use the 3 simple secrets in this FREE guide → Top3Mistakes.com
Check my other video with Winston Du on his channel (and don't forget to subscribe!): • USTA 7.0 My Tennis HQ ...
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[@neilangeles396]

I know these UCLA guys can walk and chew gum at the same time. But, we need to acknowledge it ain't easy to play rally balls AND do commentary at the same time. Karue was barely out of breath. Really good on-court lesson.

[@MyTennisHQ]

Thank you!

[@chubun6631]

There is a saying among runners that may be applicable here. They say if you can still sing, you are not running hard enough, and if you can barely talk, you are running too fast. Neither is desirable.

[@jjmah7]

What do you mean? Why wouldn’t be easy to play and do commentary? You just say what you’re thinking. I’m constantly doing commentary in my head while I’m playing and I don’t think it’s something unique to me in any way. Idk. Am I wrong?

[@kianp4585]

@@jjmah7 he’s talking about commentary out loud. When your speaking and being active, it’s more physically taxing than just being active and in this case, rallying well

[@jjmah7]

@@kianp4585 yeah but he's playing someone well - WELL below his skill level. he's barely even playing.

[@VL1975]

Just watched a video from Nick from Intuitive Tennis and he basically said it's pointless to play people below your level. But here you are playing an amateur showing how to beat him. I like the tactics and tips you provided.

[@Naomi-gr7fm]

Watched this first on Winston's channel and definitely noticed you were playing a lot more "reserved" than proper expectations versus if you were playing fully aggressive. One solid lesson my college coach instilled in me that echoes your advice is you will often beat many an opponent if you're simply consistent; especially at the rec/amateur level. Was the gem that he constantly drilled in me as I came in with the mentality of wanting to hit big, but was losing matches by giving away my own errors. When you start to panic and think you need to constantly go for bigger shots than you're capable in often poor positioning, errors often creep up from plain impatience. It can drive many people into overthinking when you keep returning quality balls and don't seem anxious to bail out of any point. Obviously the quality of patterns and shot-making increases as you go up in levels which can also create a different variable of pressure, but playing high-percentage within your means is a solid way to stay steady and play more confidently. Awesome commentary and demonstration, Karue. 💛

[@Doublebarreledsimian]

"Win with your legs". My Grandfather drilled that into my head tons when I played. A lot of players forget that just moving and taking small steps make a ton of difference. I just found both your channels, makes me want to get back into the game.

[@warriorzentennis]

Karue this video really opened my eyes. I played my 4.5 buddy this morning and won 8 games straight by implementing "no winners allowed". I was honestly shocked by that strategy when I am so used to playing hero ball. I started breaking down fitness wise by game 13 or 14 but those first 8 were an epiphany. Thanks for all you do to help us club level players get closer to the players we would like to become.

[@MyTennisHQ]

Let’s gooo! Glad we could help

[@cks2020693]

Tennis is a game of percentage, whoever makes the least mistakes wins

[@warriorzentennis]

@@cks2020693 for sure. I have really been focusing on consistency to get to 4.5.

[@Bubbles99718]

Hockey player here. We would do a drill where we wouldn't shoot when in the offensive zone. By taking that option away you can keep the play in their zone almost indefinitely. It's really interesting. Similar concept here

[@willkittwk]

Funny " hero ball" If you look at average FH speed of ATP players it's not really that fast. 70-80 MPH. Of course they can whale on a ball when it's there for them. But I know the type of guy your talking about. They try to hit every ball to knock the cover off and they do hit a few shots in the court only a pro could hit as hard. But it's few and far between.

[@andreasm7306]

Great , unique content. One of my favorite Tennis channels. There's so much value in this for us rec players. Thanks.

[@hollis218]

This was incredibly insightful, so many of the things mentioned I didn’t even realise were ‘mistakes’ per say, but were all things I know I’ve fallen victim to myself (things like feeling I have to move my opponent at crazy angles to apply pressure, yet you’ve just won by only hitting neutral shots). Really shows how the higher levels think.

[@Rick-ou6wy]

Great great video! It's very inspiring to me as I see the difference in footwork and rhythm two players demonstrated.

[@shafikmahomad6629]

AMAZING Content with this one! and the commentary and discussion at the end was superb !

[@kevinarmes9804]

Mic’d up sets are my absolute favorite content. Awesome!!!

[@craigcooper9967]

Really appreciate this video, the comments and the coaching!

[@dabarons001]

Great instruction on the mental game from both perspectives. Thank you

[@maxwellrabin_properties]

This is a great video. Thank you, Karue for this content.

[@dhruvman]

Thanks Karue for putting out such content. Keeps us interested & gives us a new perspective

[@MyTennisHQ]

Thanks for watching

[@WivoRN]

Wow this is amazing! Really enjoy this type of videos!

[@peterfoley4864]

nice

[@knotwilg3596]

I saw the video on Winston's channel and (I can say what I want but) I recognized the strategy. I'm using it myself in table tennis and the funny thing is the score difference is even larger when you go this way than when you try crushing him, because you're taking all the risk then. Good stuff!

[@BigGTennis]

Pro vs. Am Series is amazing. Looking forward to seeing the second set where you're full out :D

[@wookiedude21]

Great video! The psychology behind your approach was interesting, as I related to Winston in this video. He was playing well, but you were always in control.

[@bryanvaughn80]

another great video! great advice! great concept!

[@BackoftheLineTennis]

Loved watching on Winston's channel, and really loving this follow-up on your. Great collab with you two and high value for us lower rec folks.

[@tennispassionate386]

Amazing video! Best tip I've learned in tennis

[@johng3621]

Great video! Like many, I saw the video from the other guy's perspective first, and it was fantastic to see what you were doing and why. I noticed that you were just hitting very consistently (and that was enough to force errors), but I didn't realize the reason why. Well done.

[@fatrob88]

This really is gonna improve my game, thanks for the video!

[@highsocietyskate]

Love this crossover of two of my favorite channels!!!

[@oliverdesouza5741]

Really useful. Just like the golfing legend Peter Alliss would say: 'First you have to learn to hit the ball, then you have to learn to play the game'.

[@Stevetube14]

need more of this content, very cool video.

[@neildean6950]

Incredible content Karue! I’m a 4.5 myself and this was a great way to show the difference in level. Good for Winston for hanging in there😃

[@cp_703]

Winston is more of a 4.0 not a 4.5

[@markj6302]

@@cp_703 he almost beat Mark Sansait, a 5.0

[@raderT90]

@@cp_703 i agree

[@hansrindswurst2448]

@@cp_703 his groundstrokes are definetly 4.5 level His serve is his weakest shot, its almost 3.5

[@nsp6590]

@@hansrindswurst2448 Yeah the serve is a big issue for sure but the other thing is his fitness/athleticism. He made so many forced errors by simply not being able to get to balls quick enough when they were definitely within reach. Not to mention the footwork is the first thing to go when you get tired (leading to unforced errors) which was the case with Winston here too. His groundstrokes are good. I think by simply improving his serve and fitness he would improve substantially. Those two things are really holding him back.

[@kiesbett]

i was surprised by your defensive style of play and only later i understood your concept to make no winners in this match ;-) very interesting series!

[@huntsail3727]

Enjoyed this, interesting analysis and strategy. Good stuff.

[@MyTennisHQ]

thank you

[@cmeola1066]

Well done! Nice video. I liked the red lines drawn in to help visualize everything. Good job Karue 🎯💯

[@MyTennisHQ]

red lines definitely helped

[@jasonlyon4968]

nice video, having done tons of chairs, it is interesting seeing the catch and mouse game, many of the top players, especially in college seem to play rope a dope, staying steady until the spot opens. That is what separates the best from the next tier. Also the difference in footwork and racket prep is huge

[@MyTennisHQ]

Precisely. Manage the point until there is a clear opening for you to be more aggressive and take calculated risk

[@geausportequipment]

Interesting idea Karue. Enjoyed watching how this would unfold.

[@TheMg49]

Good vid. I enjoyed this. Thumbs up and subscribed.

[@mrperfect87106]

Ok, I absolutely love this. I saw Winston's POV of the match and I was like, something is kinda off here. Now I know. I think it's pretty cool that Winston didn't know that you weren't allowed to hit winners. I like the two different perspectives of the people playing the match. I loved every min. of this. More of this kind of content. A+

[@sriniwass]

But I would also have like to see a set where Karue played his normal game without any handicap. Perhaps Winston would have upped his game due to a nothing- to-lose mindset. I think it is trickier playing against someone below your level because you have more to lose.

[@davidaltamirano7672]

I saw your commentary on Winstons channel were you said that lower players often try harder shots against better players and thus make more errors. I really took this too heart and played my best match so far this year. I really hope i can remember that lesson.

[@raavisandy]

Love this type of content. I am chess fanatic as well. Love when GM Hikaru plays amateurs it really shows the level. Or when ping pong Pros play Adam with a score behind. I would love to see Karue start with a deficit perhaps 0-30 every game and win. Great content. Absolutely love it.

[@3DxPOD]

When I lose I literally don't care 😅

[@laynemiao5389]

Hahah I too am a tennis chess and table tennis combo

[@RobBlanzy]

Tennis is a mind and legs game for sure. Brilliant video man.

[@jongfufang]

It always amazes me how on return of server, high-level players seem to have all the time in the world to get set and hit the return. Karue looks like he is waiting for the ball to come to him and have a lot of time on his hands to decide what to do on the return. When I'm returning server, it feels like I'm just barely reacting to the serve even on moderate speed serves.

[@BenTan89]

You can see patterns in your opponent's ball toss, how he serves under pressure and knowing that the second serve isn't going to be very threatening - all this is info to be able to hit good returns. That's why high level players seem to be able to return serves from lower level players so easily.

[@Ajimeer]

That's maybe because you don't split step correctly while receiving serve.

[@tommyshoe-star1426]

@@Ajimeer what do you mean with correctly ? so you can split step wrong ?! what´s the right way then ?

[@melfox215]

@@Ajimeer Nah. It's not that simple. Ben Tan was describing it the right way. It's about knowing the next shot. The anticipating of it. I am probably somewhere 4.0 compared to the US system and I use to get coaching lessons from a guy that is ranked top 300 here in Germany. Even when I hit 3 or 4 of my best shots on a fast court in a row, it's still like very easy for him to just do anything with my high risk shots that he likes to do. He has the anticipating, he has the legs and the ability to change grip and turn his body quickly all the time. In that regard many of his abilities come together and they define the difference of a solid recreational player like myself and a guy that could easily play division 1 in the States.

[@devonr7497]

It is primarily the TIMING of the split step, which there are tons of factors that dictates how to do perfect timing and even some pros don't have PERFECT timing, it is a missive skill.

[@caotoulei]

I just watched the video from Winston's channel, and your video is so helpful because I'm also a 4.5 player and when I play a player better than myself, very often I try to play hard and reach my limit and normally it brings more unforced errors. It is so interesting that Winston didn't know you had this "no-winner" mindset, and it works as you planned to help us. :D

[@MyTennisHQ]

precisely why I didn’t want to tell him. I was also curious to know what pressure he was feeling from me. Had he known he could have just pushed it back in

[@pencilcheck]

Well, to winston, karou 30% shots (my estimate) is already winner capable shots. To winston all of those shots are super fast.

[@melfox215]

@@pencilcheck I get your point, but Karue kept his shots inside the red lines. So us recreational players could do the same thing when we play inferior players. Just keep the ball relatively mid court and not too long, but swinging confidently and just trying to reduce unforced errors. It should work on like any level. It's a good drill to mark two lines between serve line and base line and try to play all balls in that space if you don't have these pickle ball lines like in the US.

[@pencilcheck]

@@melfox215 My read is that in winston point of view, he is also not really hitting winners, the only thing he keep doing is hitting the net, or simply not able to close the point when getting to the net. He didn't have much trouble with serves but it can definitely be improved. He didn't have much trouble with consistency as that is his game but yet he still get defeated. The real lesson I take away is serve. Karue serve even at this level, is still too good for winston. Not asking too much, but if Winston can at least hold his serve to get easy points this might turn out to be a bit different.

[@nsebast]

Hard when you play a better player though. His balls are faster and more accurate putting you in difficult positions.

[@deldridg]

Just watched this on Winston's channel and was wondering if you had some kind of gentleman's agreement! 😀 Such valuable insights and fantastic to have both sides now. My level is a bit below Winston's and am really working on remaining consistent, especially when feeling under pressure to overplay. Thank you so much and cheers from Sydney, David

[@tennismincheol]

Amazing bro!! 😍😍

[@kmcclarney]

That was a great video. Thanks

[@kenkrehbiel1931]

Great play Winston!

[@patriciomora9663]

This is awesome!

[@Fit_48]

Good Video 👍 I will try this tomorrow in my first league Match 🎾💚😀

[@vanderszpak]

just brilliant insight

[@mode1charlie170]

This was so cool to see the in-game strategy.

[@bradmcnutt9533]

This type of coaching and instruction is what people pay $60-$100 per hour for in a lesson with a club pro. Absolutely wonderful video, explanations, instruction, etc. Mad props, Karue. Awesome stuff and thank you.

[@laurinraver295]

great great vide, helped me lot

[@whydaksh]

This was a great series between you and Winston, I enjoyed both you takeaways and advice/reflections in your separate videos.

[@ba177ba18]

Found you through Winston’s channel.. liked and Subbed

[@fosho8214]

lol great vid. makes sense why you were staying down the middle on winston's earlier video.

[@yifl4876]

great content!

[@ChrisTennis]

Great stuff

[@Rorshacked]

This is great and super helpful. I feel it took until midway through college to learn how not to play down but since I don’t play daily like in college, I’m I’ve lost that ability. Also, love Winston’s feedback (and channel, which I recently discovered). Cool video y’all, prob my fav yet.

[@svarthofde2492]

I think the most telling sign of his level is how he started quite well on his serve, not great but not bad, and when that level of play wasn't quite enough to win him the game he kind of deflated a bit. Anyway, great video! Confidence in your play and properly executing a good strategy is far better that botching a top tier one.

[@johncharles2357]

For anyone wondering: the red lines on the court are for the orange dot ball junior tennis. Really good practice to try to use those court dimensions

[@airborne13579]

I watched the same match on Winston’s channel earlier. The level difference is way more than I thought.

[@bendiculous1587]

Great vid big fan of your game

[@mariuszdraszczuk]

Hi there! Great content, as always! Could you maybe do a one-handed backhand guide video?

[@apostolis5567]

great content and mentality lesson, my constant mentality regardless the opponent level is "I got to do more or else he will dominate" so being with that aggressive mindset at my low level is my guarantee for losing :D. Trying to change it gradually! Well done, great opportunity for Winston also to play against a player of your level!

[@MyTennisHQ]

Exactly. Again, don't play cautious or stop going for your shots, just pick the right moments to do so and play into big targets

[@apostolis5567]

@@MyTennisHQ I applied your teachning to my last two friendly matches. There are 2 challenges in the mentality change that I have seen, 1st is to put all the focus on the highest quality consistent ball (meaning on the best possible for my almost 4.0 level) with the right amount of pace, topspin, curve, depth but not trying to make it a winner or a very offensive . Challenge #2 (even more difficult) is to prepare mentally for large rallies and that you will get more balls back. Even though in reality making very consistent and good rally shots will shorten the rally on my advantage, it is difficult to get into a more "reactive" mode rather than being the one to pull the trigger first. In both of the matches the result was very positive even though I struggled more mentally. I will keep on it feels like I just start playing tennis matches the proper way!😳Thanks again for the revelation momment!

[@tonyvu9459]

I did not even notice the red lines in Winston’s video! Great example of how to construct a point with 3 feet margin of error

[@rafhalimaxd]

I was watching this from the other perspective and I really had wondered if you were holding out on him. Guess I was right. Great content!

[@Bubbles99718]

One thing that's never mentioned about split stepping: it's exhausting! To maintain it at all, especially for the entire match, you need cardio baby. For me, and put simply, I need to be sub 6:30 mile to be able to do it consistently. Wish they would bring up that little nugget when they mention it. :)

[@007FlipScot]

Awesome coaching.

[@deepseadiver8191]

That’s a very cool video, super helpful and I think many things in it are universal and apply not only in the situations when playing a lower level opponent. On another note, I have a technical question: what camera did you use for this video? Thanks!

[@mikeobiwon]

Karue, I love watching you hit your groundstrokes! I think your strategy and words of wisdom are things a lot of us could learn from and apply to our games!

[@TricksterKev]

My old coach always used to tell me that tennis is a game of errors. This set was a great example of that. Love your content man💪

[@timothypoore6320]

My favorite game back in college was up the middle, feed out of hand, play to 11 by 2, no winners. Every win I have ever had is because of that game. You learn to work the point, and he is absolutely right about the last point. If my opponent was going to have to hit 25-30 balls at the start just to win the point, the match was going to be over for them. Great video, he explains the mental so well. Especially what his opponent is thinking. My only thing, not sure if his opponent is 4.5. He really didn’t have much shot variation. His head might of been too all over the place to really be thinking about changing it up, poor guy.

[@user-eu2me4bp7j]

4:25 play was hilarious, especially how Karue casually passed the ball after like he didn't just slam/crush the opponent >:D

[@reuelray]

Where did this come from..🤣 Now I have to go back to Winston's channel and make some changes because I accused you of hitting straight to Winston but I see now you're doing it on purpose. You make it look so easy man.👍👍

[@norienor4658]

Karue gives so good advice.... Amazing.

[@tenniswithandy]

Karue, you also hit that ace out wide which technically counts as a winner. 😀 This video will be bookmarked on my end, quality play and perspective from both you and Winston. I loved it, thank you.

[@MyTennisHQ]

thank you! Happy it could help

[@rikmcdik6662]

The good old battering ram strategy to take the pressure off of you. Can’t tell you how many times I’ve resorted to this in high-school especially during tournaments.

[@abdieliiyamomo31]

This is gold 🙌🙌🙌

[@MyTennisHQ]

Thank you!

[@Chris-yv4xg]

Awesome stuff.

[@MyTennisHQ]

Thank you

[@arildopaes]

nice video thank you teacher

[@dolinainggolan339]

it's funny i got to watch winston's video first without the comments from Karue. Now i know Karue does the safe shots on purpose to show how to win without playing risky shots. great job, good video.

[@idontknow1919]

I saw both of the channels on this match. I really enjoyed you playing other youtuber. I hope you can play other tennis youtuber, especially the guys on Top Tennis Training!

[@neelabhchoudhary2063]

damn, winston is making it up in the tennis content creator world!!!

[@sooyoungmoon1530]

Wow, I did not notice your strategy watching Winston's video. I just thought you were consistent. Thanks for the lesson, I will definitely apply to my mindset on the game right away.

[@gouveia305]

Nice to see a countryman playing tennis so well. Congratulations Karue! I would like to see you play a second set with Winston, but this time trying more winners and net volleys. I would like to see the difference between a tactical set and a more aggressive one.

[@MyTennisHQ]

Will work on that for sure

[@tututu97]

Eu assisto seus vídeos dando risada, a sua técnica é ABSURDA, vejo mais consistência em você do que em muitos jogadores on tour, congratulations bro keep inspiring

[@aj4819]

Thought this was great. It also says a lot that Winston couldn't outright tell that you weren't hitting winners because you did so well to be 'aggressive safe' in still hitting through the ball and getting depth. Without watching it back I wouldn't be surprised if Winston played almost every point behind the baseline unless you brought him in with a drop shot. Like you said it's a fine line and you want to be safe but not ease off to the point where you're giving him balls to feed off also.

[@JnRGaming]

we need more of these karue. this is so useful. nobody's doing this type of content. Also on a side note would you recommend the V-Core 97? The 95 was a bit too demanding for me. I tried the 97 and I liked it. just wanted to know your thoughts

[@cristianandrei3154]

I love your videos they are very informative keep it up :)

[@adrianjones5521]

I noticed this when I saw the match on Winston's channel that you didnt hit any winners. I also noticed that you serve was very calculated also...very interesting perspective...fantastic video!

[@YouThanakorn]

Ahhh I was wondering why you were talking during the match when I watched Winston's video.😂 THIS is why!

[@MyTennisHQ]

haha exactly

[@Lucian86]

I learned this in the last 2-3 years and I've never lost a match against someone inferior (where I used to in the past). It's less fun to be honest but it wins matches

[@gdraskovic]

This is gold, obrigado ;-)

[@TennisTrollChannel]

This is valuable.

[@carmach59]

briliant video!

[@MyTennisHQ]

thank you!

[@fresnostate2]

I watched his video and could tell you were playing with this strategy. Good to see I was right and not imagining it! I am a 5.0+ player

[@gabrielalcocer8051]

After taking many years off, lost sight of this concept, good stuff.

[@MyTennisHQ]

thank you

[@danielurriola]

The backhand shots of the pro lands very deep. That makes a difference.

[@2911Daan]

What about the traingspragram you mentioned. Is it still comming :) great content like always! Thanks!

[@josesanchez6941]

"win with your legs" goood quote bro. if you look at their technique, karu uses his legs sooo much more on every shot. very enlightening tbh.

[@Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawn]

This dude has the best channel

[@ianvucetich4976]

Great video, can you share with us what software you use to show and keep track of the score?

[@sapientbudgie5652]

Great video. What strings and tension are you using?