World’s Most ANNOYING Tennis Opponent (Confronting Haters) - Part 4

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[@pantroph5637]

Okay, so I coached D-1 college tennis teams. Made it to 6 national championships (never won one) and other nice tournaments. Got the t-shirts to prove it 😀. Reading all these comments reminds me of a match on the show court for my #1 girl.... against the other team’s #1 girl... who happened to be a pusher! Now the coaching I did during the match was to try and convince my girl that her opponent was on #1 court for a reason: she wins. even though it didn’t look like she was playing “tennis”. ( We lost that match). I’ve had players in tears because their opponent doesn’t “play tennis”. So, my take is that this is REALLY IMPORTANT because we become to used to conventional style tennis that when something new hits us, and we have no answer, we get frustrated and then we lose. Thanks, Ian!

[@EssentialTennis]

AMAZING comment, thank you for posting it!

[@kimdick340]

@@EssentialTennis I like pantrophs comment...is so true. My FIRST USTA match years ago was against a player who looked completely "un athletic" and i thought (Ive go this...) and she proceeded to shred me to pieces with what can only be described as a wicked hammer slice. I was sliced and diced for what seemed an eternity by this Ginsu racquet wilding ninja who couldn't really move well but somehow was able to get to every shot. I remember thinking.... this isn't tennis... she has no stroke! It was the craziest thing... I was focused on my technique and hitting pretty shots like I was taught... and she hacked me to death with nothing but a hammer slice. Damndest thing I've ever seen... but she won matches...lol

[@leandromedrano]

Nice post. Don't you think we make too many unforced errors when playing these opponents?. Many slow and high balls invite us to hit hard without enough concentration, ending up making mistakes, and then ending up slowing down our intensity and becoming balls returners during that game.. a game style where the pusher is the expert!

[@joemarshall4226]

I know a guy who worked for Nick Bollitieri and taught Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras how to serve when they were young. He said that there came a point where he took the young players aside and said, "Today, we are going to learn how to play the dink and lob game. It's going to be hard work, but you have to learn it, it's a big part of tennis." A young girl,a bout 17, who was the number one junior in the country at the time, watched his demonstration and said, "This is ridiculous. I'm not playing like that. I could beat that style." So my friend challenged her to a set where he would play like that, even though it was not his style...he was probably in his mid-30s at the time. He said it wasn't easy, and it took him a long time, but he beat her in an 8 game pro set. She got very upset, and QUIT TENNIS soon after! Another time, i watched a tournament where the number 8 male junior in the country played a Croatian pro who had the biggest forehand I ever saw. He was about 35 or 40. The kid was 16, and had amazingly consistent and well-directed ground strokes. it was a close match, with good rallies, but the kid took the first set and got up a break in the second at 3-1 or 4-2. The Croatian guy was making too many errors, and was starting to mumble under is breath. Then he just started slicing EVERY SHOT from both wings..AND WHAT A SLICE HE HAD! The kid was very good, though, and well-trained. He handled those slices, but not quite as easily as before, he couldn't quite re-direct the ball as accurately or give as much power. They had LONG rallies after that, but the Croatian guy turned it around and won the last two sets 7-5 6-4. 100% slices against a terrific young opponent.

[@manak2667]

This is such an interesting video to me because I've been on every side of this argument at different stages of my tennis journey. I've hated pushers, my most losses in a season. I became a pusher, went undefeated in league for a while. Hating pushers was miserable, becoming a pusher was fun for the wins, but I always finished my matches thinking "did I play the brand of tennis that I wanted to?". The answer was usually no, and then I made the conscious decision to learn a different style of play. I came to the conclusion that I would rather lose playing the brand of tennis that I wanna play, than win by playing someone elses brand of tennis, or just by pushing. Thats my own truth and it wont go for everyone, and thats fine. I took some lessons and really hammered in how to generate pace and heavy balls, and I never really looked back from there, its just more fun for me personally. If I had more fun pushing, I would do that. If you have fun pushing, then I am all for it.

[@Blowmeagain]

If you can’t beat a “pusher” then it means that they are better than you. The Scoreboard doesn’t lie.

[@fireballdude7368]

Doesn’t mean they are better than you, you could be having a poor play that day. But ya, if it’s a general loss and it keeps happening and the loss was big, then yes, they are better right then

Tru dat!

[@bradenchou7338]

@@fireballdude7368 a good pusher will bring out your worse game 😉

[@deleteduser8574]

If a pusher beats u 9/10 times, they are better than you. That is what I've always considered to be the stat gap.

[@nitishsreeram3002]

You should never aim to be one though, a regular player will have a much better time improving than a pusher, who is just stuck in their ways of crappy shots.

[@dammitol25mg19]

Among the impressive things about IW is that he's persevered thru 10 years of youtube commentary--home to much anger, abuse & arrogance--and remained upbeat & helpful.

[@EssentialTennis]

🙏

[@LivesThatInspire]

Will be waiting for this eagerly. There is nothing in tennis that this channel has not talked about. This channel deserves much more subscribers. This channel is truly great.

[@EssentialTennis]

Very kind of you, Inspire. Thank you!

[@chutes41]

And it has continued to improve with better and more helpful videos.

[@albertomanuelalmeida]

Yes, and if we want more, lets tell your friends, no?

[@rxl77]

Agreed!

[@shotske2531]

Pusher hate exists for one reason - they burst the bubble of happy delusion some tennis players want to live within. Let me get this right- You can’t beat someone who primarily bunts the ball to the middle section of court with little pace and spin... but you could show us all your mad skills if only he would smoke 85 mph forehands 1 inch above the net and 6 inches inside the lines, right??? Lmao. For players with such attitudes, I would guess their inflated egos were built on victories over other “real” tennis players with “good form” and who play hero-ball tennis... and are just as inconsistent as they are, giving away point after point. Hey, if you can’t hit 8 ground stokes in a row off of what is essentially a fed tennis ball without screwing up, it’s not the guy across the net you should upset with. Thanks, Ian, for being the voice of reason.

[@johnsmith-wv4jw]

To be fair generating your own pace is a much underrated skill in tennis. It is much easier to deal with a hardish shot to the baseline, than a dead ball in the middle of the court. Especially when so many players hate coming to the net and want to live at the baseline.

[@cldavis33]

Double LMAO! I remember when I was new and at some point along the way I had finally learned all the basic strokes, and had this killer powerful forehand (Uhhmm, sure). It did have power, but didn't go in much but whatever. I played my first tournament and second round ran into the pusher from hell's great depths! Surely a GOAT. I didn't' even know what a pusher was back then. He just flat out sucked and didn't even belong on the the court with my greatness. You know of course know what happened next. I lost badly like 1-1. This guy could only do one thing. Bunt a forehand moonball into no-man's-land and get ready to hit another one. I was crushed, bewildered, thinking of taking up square dancing. But then... I got honest with myself later that week. I couldn't put away slow balls for winners. I was inconsistent. I was not in control of my shots. I couldn't reliably construct points. And #1 - A big powerful forehand that does not land in the court - is NOT a big powerful forehand. It was then...I was able to start a journey of self-awareness not delusion, and I could now 'learn'. Pushers make you grow and get real or give up. And that's why I love them. They keep us ego-maniacs in check. Hehehe.

[@JamesDavisakaRemguy]

Lovely new terms you've coined: "Pusher-hate" and "Hero-ball". I am guilty of both, of course.

[@21crus1]

@@johnsmith-wv4jw You are spot on. Generating pace on a slow ball is one of the hardest things to do mainly because the margin for error is so less. The timing on the shot and also the footwork has to be perfect to hit a flat shot for a winner

[@kisamehoshigake980]

Basically, this. If you can't beat a pusher you need to go back to the lab and work on presicion and consistency. Maybe add some weapons to your game. Imo

[@Endorphinooos]

Simple, if you start a match hating and despising your opponent, it's probably because you're not that good and that he's here to prove it.

[@DjokovicIsOurLordAndSaviour]

This is why people hate pushers. It breaks their bubble, as Ian said. We're typically not as good as we think we are.

[@EssentialTennis]

Yes! Well said!

[@dianacook8865]

@@DjokovicIsOurLordAndSaviour Do you remember when Michael Chang beat Ivan Lendl in the French open. Chang had strained a muscle and was forced to serve underhand. Many pros complain about playing an injured opponent. I once played my neighbor who fell down as he tried to retrieve my short ball. As I was trying to see if he was ok, he got up and hit the ball for a winner. I guess he was ok! I wonder how Ivan Lendl felt?

[@dbeaton1111]

Hey, a pusher might be out there pushing just to drive YOU crazy. Heck, he might even be a psychopath -- ever think of that? ;-)

[@DjokovicIsOurLordAndSaviour]

@@dianacook8865 I'm not sure how that's relevant to pushers. I guess playing an injured opponent is awkward. Never had to myself.

[@seregener]

My favorite player of all time, Agnieska Radwanska, could have been considered a pusher. She didn't generate pace. She got to everything and hit balls back that better players would miss. She wore down opponents and frustrated them. The mental mistakes added up as her opponents asked themselves, "How many winners do I have to hit against her to win a single point?" They'd go for more and more on their shots, going for tighter and tighter margins, in an effort to make statements. Their unforced errors made quite a statement. $27 million in career earnings tells us you don't have to hit the hardest to succeed. Thanks for another great video, Ian!

[@adamromero]

I love her!

[@darnellcaballes]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5ucZZSkn9SjY7c hsieh my current favorite example of someone who doesn't hit out to win...

[@Summerbrah]

Funny, I used to hate watching her and always sympthatised with her opponent. Was probably based off of my own experience with defensive players since I play extremely offensive.

[@daenbrown830]

Just imagine if everyone played that way would you even like tennis? It would be super boring you may like to see people loose there way to victory to me winning is in the word.. No true champion ever waiting to have that throne given to them. Good luck to her but lets prey 99% of players try to win and the beggers.. Sorry pushers remain anomalies.

[@chrisnolan8132]

This is a great example - and on a related note, arguably her most distinctive shot was the "squat shot" where instead of "properly" setting up, she just got low and turned the ball in the other direction so effectively. Like many pushers, including the one Ian shows in these videos, she had a somewhat unconventional technique that worked very well for her!

[@TheTamrielDrunkard]

I love that you're addressing the negativity towards pushers/defensive play. I have had to correct this toxic mentality to so many of my students over the years (it's really detrimental to their own growth because it comes from a fixed mindset), so it's nice to hear you articulate these points so well.

[@jeanb.3493]

If you're not mature as a tennis player, you fail to acknowledge that the so-called pusher has realized that: 1) high balls - esp to the baseline - are difficult, at any level. Yes, we see the top ATP players punishing these type of balls _sometimes_ , but more often than not, any attempt to be aggressive on high balls leads to unforced errors. If you only train against run-of-the-mill topspin-with-margin players, meeting this type of player in a match is very difficult, as it requires going for safe patterns with margins and assertiveness, and being patient, i.e. be ready for longer exchanges. 2) lateral movement is difficult. If you combine high shots to the baseline, with low and short slices, you're setting most players up for a combination of shot that will immediately reveal how prepared you are: split step, movement, loading of the legs, getting low to the ball, recovery, point construction. Mid court rallies demand much, much less. 3) point construction and safe patterns This ties in to #1 and #2, but it merits its own point. "Pushers" play smart tennis. They play safe patterns, often with shots that the opponent perceives as easy, or as "weak", when they in fact are the opposite. And they wait for _you_ to make the error. Much of this has ofc been covered by Ian :-)

[@EssentialTennis]

Excellent breakdown, Jean!

[@the1tfactor]

Love your breakdown, and that’s probably spot on at higher levels, but I have also played a number of pushers who know diddly about smart patterns. They’re more unpredictable, kind of like playing chess with a six year old. They don’t do anything they “should” do or that you expect. This further emphasizes the need for patience, and smart tennis!

[@julioribeiroamaralribeiro8088]

@@the1tfactor Perfect!

[@rxl77]

I could not agree more. Well said!

[@d0min0danc1ng]

"And they wait for you to make the error" ..and that's what gets on my nerve Thats how pushers "win" by feeding off of free points. They are the bottom feeders of tennis paradigm. They dont beat us. We beat ourselves when we lost to pushers. Its a disgrace how they can call themselves " tennis player" bunch of seppotankers

[@AS-ws2se]

It really irks me when people say, "this is not tennis". Or when they're hating another player's style because of it not being "pretty" or "annoying". All you need to do is get the ball in the court. Strokes, footwork, fitness is just a means to get to that goal. Like you said there's nothing in the rules that say you need to hit with good technique. The point someone gets for hitting a forehand topspin winner is equal to the point someone gets if they hit a slice forehand with "bad technique". And if people really have a problem with these type of players, why not practice with them more so that way you can figure out how to beat them?

[@educypriano2]

SOMEONE MUST INTERVIEW "DEFENSIVE PLAYER" A.K.A. "GREEN SHIRT GUY" AND GET HIS REACTION TO THIS SERIES OF VIDEOS! My bet is that he is having the time of his life reading the negative comments. I guess he is super confident about himself.

[@bradenchou7338]

So true! You get a massive confidence boost when your opponent loses their composure. Usually in the form of: A. swearing and carrying on (calling me names hahah) B. going for crazy low percentage shots C. changing their game to copy the pusher game I’ve seen them all many times!

[@Raven05R6]

When I started playing tennis again 5 years ago I was getting frustrated at the 4.0 level playing against pushers. The only way I was able to overcome those challenges was to learn to appreciate all strategies that work in tennis, like you so brilliantly laid out in this video. If I saw this and took it to heart a few years ago, it would have saved me so much time and stress in my tennis journey. Awesome video Ian!! Also, recording myself helped immensely improve my game and instantly humbled me. I recommend everyone who plays tennis to do it.

[@maryannesweeney4556]

thank you for approaching this subject, i have a new found respect for the “ pusher “ in me. being a senior player, i’ve had to learn to become a more defensive player, and develop drop shots and lobs. my younger self would have cringed to discover i’ve become my father, but back in the day he always beat me with his “pusher” style of play. i’m having more fun now than ever before, tennis is an ever evolving mind set, i love it. i’m eternally grateful for you and your videos, you’ve helped me develop my game in many ways. Thank you !

[@zhuzhupetalmusic3575]

Powerful video, Ian-definitely made me rethink some misconceptions I had about "wrong" technique, grips, etc. Looking forward to your "pusher" match. Keep up the great work!

[@OlivierKarfis]

Extremely well said Ian! For some reason, we only hate pushers when we lose to them. I actually seek pushers to practice against because yes, it might not be pretty tennis but it will teach you SO much more about your own game. As you said, I do not thrive to be a pusher myself (probably I'm not enough in shape to be a pusher!) but I respect the hell out of them. Thanks for a brilliant 4 part video series. Cheers from France. Olivier

[@EssentialTennis]

You're SO right RE only complaining about them when we lose. Thanks for watching, Olivier!

[@guiluismelo]

And come on, I think everybody has already complained about a pusher before. I'm my self guilt. I left the court once in a city tournament (i'm from Brazil, we don't have this 5, 4.5, 4 level separation but it was a low level, the tournament had VIP, A, B, C and D separation, it was a C match I think) saying he was not playing tennis, just pushing the ball to the other side and the guy organizing it was laughing of me because he said "every singles tournament someone complains about it, you are the one this time". I didn't have the technique, or the patience, to deal with those balls, it was not the guys fault.

[@MTBodeTx]

I loved that you included the clip of Fabrice "the magician" Santoro. He defeated Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic the first time he played each one of them. Not bad for a player with unconventional technique. I thought these "pusher" videos were very good. I'm a recreational player, and I had never even heard the term pusher before. I want to draw an analogy to chess (which I am a little better at.) Most of the learning focus is on the best grandmaster games and new computer theory, but some of the most educational videos I've seen feature the master player commenting on their games as they play online with players at a 1000 ELO rating, then a 1200 ELO rating, and so on until they reach there own level or higher. It shows how to eliminate typical mistakes and improve technique so that you can improve. Keep up the good work, and don't let the trolls bring you down.

[@joemarshall4226]

Fabrice never beat Nadal. He beat Fed the first TWO times he played him, and 18 players who were number one at some time: Connors, Wilander, Becker, Edberg, Courier, Sampras and Agassi (three times each), Rios, Kuerten, Muster, Rafter, Roddick, Ferrero, Federer, Djokovic, Hewitt, Safin, (nine times), Moya. He was 0-1 against Lendl, and 0-6 against Kaflenikov, who "Had the answer to every question I asked him," according to Fabrice. He never played McEnroe. Murray beat him twice, Nadal once (6-0, 6-1).

[@RFinchTennis]

Love the video. Hopefully it gives a little perspective. Also big congrats on the 838 subs in one day! You deserve it!

[@luisfernandoloaizazuluaga6321]

Thank you for the generosity with your knowledge. I love the way you approach these kind of issues.

[@Tennisnerd]

Great points, Ian! Love the positivity and attitude.

[@aaronwhitworth8184]

Think this is one of your best videos to date, and an excellent finish to this series. Context and perspective is so hard to achieve, and your data definitely helps. Playing against Troll was the first time I'd seen myself on camera, an experience all tennis players should have. Have also played Green Shirt multiple times, he's a great guy and loves tennis. He's just more disciplined than most of us.

[@EssentialTennis]

Love hearing that, Aaron! Thank you for sharing your experiences with those two players!

[@transklutz]

What do you mean by Green Shirt being more disciplined?

[@wayfindeducation9918]

Not a tennis player, but was sent this video from someone who plays regularly. Great lesson in how to transparently address a group dynamic! Lots of leadership lessons here.

[@amieres]

It is true. Ian can teach much more than tennis.

[@TJ57channel]

What a great channel! Really helpful videos and I for sure have improved my strategy and mental game since I've started watching.

[@cwr1210]

You have great insight. Really enjoy and learn from your videos. Big thanks!

[@EssentialTennis]

My pleasure!

[@ajaxsf]

I'm going to start wearing a green shirt all my matches

[@EssentialTennis]

hahaha

[@josepho41483]

I've loved these videos. Not only is it good analysis of actual tennis - it is great commentary on badly formed tennis stereotypes. I've played this defensive player in mens 4.5 here in Atlanta. I warmed up with him believing I was going to destroy him - and 3 hours in, I realized how effective his game was and how exhausted I was. He is a legend in the 4.5 community. He wins. It isnt pretty, but my goodness is it effective. Learned some things playing this guy.

[@emmacaro6496]

I absolutely LOVE your approach to these matters, this is what growing up in a sport environment has to teach, THANK YOU for sharing. Greetings from The Nederlands

[@nickwilson2318]

great vid! love your attitude and philosophy towards tennis, it's making me challenge some of my own habits of thinking. Respect from Tasmania

[@CustCareRep]

Ian (pardon the “kissing up“), you are calm, civil, rational, informative, thoughtful, helpful, and modest. The anger and nastiness in the world right now is scary and escalating. Tennis can be an escape from that madness. Or… people can bring their totalitarian attitudes to the tennis courts, ruining the experience for other people. This video helps “dial down” the tension. Thanks.

[@PeytonBirbal]

3.0 "pusher" here. I get so tired of the hate I get, and it really cuts into the "fun" of playing. This video made me feel better. Thanks for making this video!

[@AS-ws2se]

I'm sorry you have to deal with that kind of hate. I've always played by the philosophy of respecting my opponent. Disparaging someone's play style is worse than any "bad technique" or "bad form" in my opinion. If that is the way they want to play and they have fun doing it. Who are you to say anything? It's like if someone only watched documentaries. And you were to criticize them for only watching documentaries. It would sound pretty ridiculous.

[@bangmonsta]

Agreed with Andrew, do your thing and enjoy your own game. If they don't want to play with you, it's their call, no need for anyone to get nasty

[@fleekdasheek9176]

Learn to enjoy that schadeunfreuude

[@TLausie]

@@fleekdasheek9176 Schadenfreude ;)

[@JakeLesser]

It is because you arnt a real man.

[@sylvial3815]

Ian, you are amazing. Your contents are so relatable and hit the nail right on the head. How many time after I lost a match to a pusher and felt angry that I lost to a “lesser” player and won’t even talk to the opponent? Nobody will admit it and not a lot of coaches will talk about this side of the game and attitude either. Thank you for straightening me up and teaching me from a different perspective. That’s why I love your channel.

[@thomasweiler1680]

That video is just awesome!! Thank you so much 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@joeymanning6563]

A few thoughts. 1. Green shirt being competitive with very good 4.5 level players is very impressive. He is playing competitively with very good players, not low level players like me. 2. Bunch of wannabe's who think they will beat beat green shirt easily are a joke. I know plenty of 4.5 players in the Atlanta area that Green shirt will beat more often than not. 3. Get over yourselves about his style of play and how his strokes look. If you lose to a certain player consistently then that player is the better tennis player regardless of how they look while playing or the types of shots they hit. 4. My strokes are sooo much "better" than Green shirts but he would beat my low 4.0 game like a drum. I am starting to add in more of his chop shot type shots and trying to raise my consistency and lower my error count. My beautiful top spin forehand on the run, stretched out looked incredible all the way into the middle of the net. 5. Green shirt is better than 90% of all tennis players. THE END!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@EssentialTennis]

Amazing comments, Joey!

[@MrSurferDoug]

great comment - I am trying to be less predictable and just get it over the net and keep it in play. Let others make the errors.

[@peterglassey9827]

"My beautiful top spin forehand on the run, stretched out looked incredible all the way into the middle of the net." - that hits home! :)

[@karthickkabali3803]

That said, isn't there a definite satisfaction in getting to a level where you can hit that beautiful forehand? I try not to hit a lot of chops n slices. Might lose a few matches at the beginning but it will help in the long run to do the things that u want to do. Like Ian mentioned figure out what you want out of tennis. More wins or to grow in tennis, is a call everyone have to make for themselves.

[@bradenchou7338]

Great points. People have to know that its not enough that your shots are better than Green Shirt’s shots. Your shots have to be so good that Green Shirt can’t execute his game. That’s why Green Shirt can consistently beat players who are “better” than him.

[@ericshine1]

I took the survey on the Essential Tennis FB page. I was one of the two people that mentioned stroke mastery (technique), and I have NO problem with how this guy plays tennis. Well, other than the fact that the balls would keep coming back at me if I was playing against him! :-) :-) :-) I know someone mentioned that his serve toss was less than a foot over his head. Sure, that's not the way a pro would teach it, but he probably has a higher first serve % than most players. I'm diggin this video series!

[@EssentialTennis]

Love your attitude, Eric!

[@pratiksharma8164]

Really appreciate your work....your love for the sport is second to none....you have an amazing talent of explaining little things which shows your experience in teaching tennis....All the very best for future...!

[@timothybreen8956]

Ian, Really great way to explain some of the harsh critiques of the Pusher. Great instructional videos!

[@mchase4]

Ian made a great point in part 3. Everyone thinks they play great and at a fast pace. They critique pushers and “slow” play. Film yourself... The results will be humbling. You play much slower than it feels on the court.

[@nicolasdanielcieri6327]

Totally agree!!!

[@transklutz]

And I have a theory as to why. If you are hitting late and swinging rushed, then it may seem as you're playing that it's fast, but in reality you are flailing around with the shots not being that effective. If you have early anticipation and play relaxed on-time tennis, it will show on video.

[@GIN.356.A]

I would say I'm one of those minority that want to master the game. But I don't agree with what Jason fry said. I believe playing with good techniques puts you in the best position to win, that's why we pursue them. But ultimately you need to win. If I can't beat a pusher with my style, it means I'm a much worse tennis player than him because I'm using better tools, and I still lost. I have come to respect pushers because they are essentially the gate keepers of the tennis community. They seperate those who think they are good, and those who are actually good. Bless them for keeping us honest.

[@EssentialTennis]

Love your attitude, Gin!

[@Johnstage]

I agree 100%. We should thank everyone who beats us because they give us an opportunity to learn about ourselves.

[@justeatingchipsandwatching]

I probably play like this when I'm being outplayed. Can't cope so just try to hang in there. Nothing wrong with it.

[@micheleking1712]

Thank you for keeping it classy! Look forward to someday attending your tennis academy :)

[@seanmurphy7858]

Super special series Ian, glad you dived right in and dismantled so many pre-conceived ideas. Go Mr Green, you're one tough opponent!

[@rod.857]

Santoro a.k.a "the magician". Fantastic player, he won 2/3 grand slam tittles in doubles and in singles he was something to see, really talented.

[@geutz2000]

Not to mention Santoro had a very good volley (cf. doubles player) and that he finished a lot of his points at the net. Not that bad or common for a "pusher".

[@joemarshall4226]

@@geutz2000 The Magician could serve and volley very well.

[@geutz2000]

@@joemarshall4226 Exactly. Despite his height and lack of power (for a top player), he frequently served & volley with success thanks to effects and a good reading of the game.

[@TennisTrollChannel]

Excellent video again. Thank you for addressing the negativity. Well done- you is an excellent coach and teacher. Santoro clips were awesome and is an excellent example.

[@alexsdg3441]

Ian. you just became my hero!!!!! This video was the most thoughtful and profound video about analogy of recreational tennis players. SPECIALLY A PLAYER LIKE ME. A PUSHER!!!!! I play for the love of game, competition, exercise, self-growth, social (to see my friends few times a week, specially times like this). Of course, being 4.5 player, I can not play for money nor stroke mastery (even though I try to improve my techniques every time I play...). Especially, when I play someone who isn't good as me, I try to practice my weak shots and be more aggressive by practicing more tougher shots. But when I play against someone better than me, I just become a MAJOR PUSHER without knowing. My main goal is being consistent and I do whatever it takes to get my opponent out of his stronger shots and especially take him out of his comfort zone / being in rhythm of his game. This video really touched me because what happened to me just last Sunday. I had a 3 out of 5 set match with a younger guy (39), I am 58, who has better strokes because he had taken few years of lesson when he was really young. For me, everything was self-thought and I started when I was 20 (very late) and never had any proper lessons. First set, his forehand was working well enough to grab a win 6:3 (one break), so 2nd set, I started lobbing him and giving him a lot of drop & slice shots which really rattled him and eventually his rhythm was broken. He started missing his forehand and became very impatient. So I ran off 11 games in a row. 6:0 second set to my favor. 6:3 3rd to my favor. At forth set, I really mixed up lobs, slices, drop shots..etc and I got 4th set 6:2. it was a really tough win against someone who was much younger and has better strokes / techniques. For me, when I win a match, I just say "I really enjoyed it. thanks for playing. Let's do it next again". If I lose, "great game. you played well and I will try to play better next time". And give him a smile and a hand-shake (not now though...just fist touching..) And actually I learn way more when I lose a match than winning a match. Anyway, when he lost, I guess that he was bit embarrassed because him being almost 2 decades younger and being a better player in terms of techniques and strokes. At that time, most of our tennis friends were watching from next courts. After the lose, he told everyone around, saying that the game I played wasn't tennis, lobbing is not a tennis, ...etc Basically what I was doing was just a cardio exercise, not a tennis match. When I heard him saying that to me and to other tennis friends, I was bit hurt inside because I gave my 100% to my game. I chased after every shot, never lost my focus and I did everything right (in my opinion) to win a point, a set and a match. But after hearing that from him, it got me motivated to practice more, with better strokes and techniques and even started running again... to strengthen my stamina. (I have pretty good endurance and stamina, but I realized that I wasn't fast enough to get myself set up and hit a good stroke again him by 4th set, hence a lot of junk shots... perhaps my age got something to do with it??? :+) ha ha ha. Regardless, after watching this video, I feel much better. 100000% better. Honestly, I do not want to be called a junk shot player. I am doing whatever I can to make myself a better/ proper tennis player, but in most cases, when I play again someone who is better than me, I realize that being more consistent and more tactical (giving junk shots) win more games than trying to hit properly every time which is almost impossible, especially against someone who is better and faster than me. Thanks Ian. I became a fan of this channel and I will be following you and your lessons! PS: it was wonderful to see you comparing yourself against Federer. That was a really humble thing to do. An awesome video, Ian. thanks again.

[@ColeHennessy]

As an active teaching pro, i appreciate this video. I spend countless hours working with players on anything from technique, to winning strategies. The first thing we always speak about is the goals of the player. If you are a "pusher", and that's your game, I say play it. At the end of the day, our job is to help players reach their goals, whether it's learning to look smooth on the court, or grinding that W. Tennis is a community, and we get far too caught up in invalidating our opponents game, rather than evaluating and addressing our own.

[@EssentialTennis]

Love your attitude, Cole!

[@zoggybottom3200]

Nice to hear you say that, Cole. I've seen some pros who only like "pretty" strokes and denigrate pushers or anything that's not today's tennis. If you learned to play when racquets were wood, it can be tough to change to heavy topspin forehands. Better to play to your strengths!

[@ColeHennessy]

@@zoggybottom3200 If complete reconstruction of a swing is the goal, i think the coach should support that. However, sometimes we have technique that we are comfortable with, even if its limiting or "not modern". Pretty is nice, but effective is a whole other conversation. Not all of us are training for Wimbledon, and I think its important for us all to remember that from time to time.

[@zoggybottom3200]

@@ColeHennessy I agree, that's why I appreciated your attitude and comment. My situation was different... Pro only had one way of doing things and embarrassed anyone who didn't do it the way she did it. It was the only time working with someone where I didn't enjoy tennis. I'm all for improving my game and working on different shots, but sometimes a good push shot is right for the situation and hard to beat (IMHO). 😀

[@ColeHennessy]

@@zoggybottom3200 I think we are on the same page for sure. Sorry if it was misinterpreted, the last piece of my first reply was certainly in regard to coaches. Far too many of us forget to personalize our teaching to our players. Myself included sometimes im sure.

[@paddlepower888]

Yeah! Wasn't even anticipating Part 4! Now, I am! I played a pusher once. Ricky Montecito is ageless--I played him when I was in Junior High and I never saw him after that. He always returned the ball--drop shots and wicked spins--I'm sure he whupped me.

[@EssentialTennis]

Thanks for watching, Jeffrey!

[@eduardocancian3684]

Excellent video. Congratulations for your effort and purpose. Your videos are very helpful.

[@markanthonybaguio7840]

great episode ... happy you made this episode . thanks

[@colestop10s79]

I play at one of the best junior academies in U.S. Our main coach for the last 20 years has had a tradition after every tournament we go to. Every time you get called a pusher at that tournament, he'll pay you 5 dollars. Some of the best players in the world right now are arguably pushers. If you watched a high level match you might think wow these guys are so good but one of them might come of the court and say "man I didn't really play my best today so I had to push my way out of that match." They might be pushing that day and you just don't know because their pushing quality is different than your pushing quality. Example, (I know a lot of people will argue differently) Rafa Nadal. I really think he is a pusher. He hits the ball hard but it's really high with lots of spin. On his serve return he is literally 20 feet behind the baseline. He is stingy with his errors and extends rally and outlasts his opponents. He's a pusher. BUT IT'S NOT A BAD THING! Edit: Synonym for pusher = player who is better than me Oh also in practice so far this week we're doing a drill where one person pushes and one person is more aggressive. If you learn how to be a pusher and beat a pusher you will win so many matches.

[@benjaminchen4367]

Completely agree. Rafa does have pretty technique, but when you break it down there are clear similarities between his game and the archetypal pusher.

[@bradenchou7338]

This is one of the best videos on pushers I’ve seen. Love the analysis! I would add though, we probably need to distinguish between pushers vs unorthodox players and between unorthodox and “incorrect” technique. A lot of the disagreement comes from lumping those three things together. At the pro level a pusher wouldn’t have “bad technique” ie. there’s no upper limit on the level you can use the technique eg. Santoro can return Federer’s serves and Agassi’s groundstrokes. What people really mean when they say a “pushers” can’t get past a certain level only applies to those with bad technique. Santoro is just unorthodox (and as pointed out, a pusher at the pro level). The green shirt player is an example of pusher with incorrect technique. It’s unlikely he would be able to win a game off a solid 5.0 player as he would not be able to control the power and spins sufficiently to execute his game. Further, it wouldn’t matter how well or fit he got as there would be an upper limit to his game at a technical level. Note: I’ve been labelled a pusher many times, so no hate; just my analysis.

[@morganzimmerglass9925]

Yeah I hate when people call me a pusher when I hit the ten most difficult shots of the match in all forms - lobs, slices, volleys, passing shots, etc. I don’t hit with top spin on my forehand but I have so much variety with what I can do with it. I feel like pusher refers to people who play a similar shot every time. I dunno. I’m just sick of not talking back when people I destroy call me a pusher.

[@rsmith02]

And MEP did lose against an incoming college player who had vastly superior strokes in every way... but she got frustrated partway through and could have tanked the match very easily. If he added a strong serve and good volley technique he'd compete at 5.0 as he's winning handily at 4.5.

[@williewal]

What a great tutorials are these. They teach me more than just technique. I also learn something about myself on the court. And I am 61, playing tennis for over 45 years... A joy the watch and listen to. Keep up the great work.

[@pjm_219]

I am learning so much from this channel and I’m so grateful that I found it. I’m only a 2.5 player, so I’m trying to soak up as much information as possible.

[@danielyu2198]

Honestly there are pushers at all levels. They just get better the way that you do, but they keep their strategy the same

[@EssentialTennis]

Totally agree, Daniel!

[@jarekluberek8123]

Isn't Gilles Simon considered to be a pusher?

[@JCole-fg3rr]

Yes, because there are several top male and female pushers in the professional game.

[@abbonierecrackkuchetv7206]

Dimitrov is one of the best defensive players. Some players would even call him a pusher.

[@moon_wobble7782]

What makes someone a 4.0 vs a 3.0 when technique isn’t important? Not trying to be argumentative, just wondering what makes someone a 3 vs 4.

[@billcone9068]

At 72 years of age, I play a game that I'm comfortable with. I still move pretty well but I admit I have a "junk" game. But I am good with that. I love to hit a tennis ball, period. And hopefully this pandemic will some day be controlled enough so we can get back to the game we love.

[@BanjoManFleckFan]

I also agree that this is one of your best videos. We all bring to the court our own set of unique strengths, weakness, playing style, attitude, etc. Excepting and learning to adapt to different types of players will ultimately make you a stronger player in the end. Thanks for all of the great advice over the years. :)

[@iwillnotforgetthislo]

Ian, this is a terrific video. Many people just don't understand the "pusher". It is incredibly frustrating losing against this style of play as most people think they should be winning and that they are the better player. When they start losing a few games, that frustration usually manifests itself in impatience and trying to hit bigger - resulting in more unforced errors and ultimately losing the match. The losing player often believes that they are the better player and have no respect for the "pusher" who beat them. If a "pusher" is in fact, pushing YOU around, it means that they're probably the more consistent player and have a strong mindset where they're willing to battle for every point. Tennis, especially at higher levels of play, is about continually making adjustments and finding a winning strategy. It is very difficult to purely impose your preferred way of playing and expect to win every single match at your level. The green shirt player in this video is 7-4 in the W/L category - this means that 4 players were able to figure him out and find a weakness that they could target. Playing against a good "pusher" is a terrific learning experience. If you walk away with a loss, it will help you understand that you need to develop your game and improve your arsenal of shots. Drop shots are incredibly effective against pushers, so is changing up the pace and bounce of the ball. It's not always about who has the prettier shot or who can hit harder... court awareness and understanding geometry is just as, if not more important.

[@Wannabe-Pro]

I can only “like” this video? How do I hug it?

[@BIGBEART8]

I am one of those guys who would vote for Stroke Mastery and I say, my mastery of my stroke is independent of that dude's game. I will lose to him if my mastery is not good enough. I never understand why people hate a certain playstyle. Beat it or lose to it. Lose to it, think of a way to beat it with what you have. Either way, you beat him, you are better than him that day, you lose to him, you are worse and therefore that day he is a better player.

[@atenniskook]

I had a great teaching pro once tell me, their are many ways to play the game, the way the pusher plays, if he beats you, simply means they are better at successfully imposing their style than you are at yours.

[@willseymour9354]

Hey I just wanted to thank you for saying this, I love your videos. You have helped take my game to the next level. Your consistency video was so helpful, the one where you explain why and when you hit the ball cross court or down the line. It took me forever for me to figure that out, and for years I had the beautiful stroke, but now I have the plan to beat people too. I never really got it until I watched your video, and I just wanted to say thank you.

[@EssentialTennis]

❤🙏

[@edm6279]

Great video Ian, understanding of this nature and appreciation of other's unique styles and personalities can go a long way in all facets of life today, not just in tennis.

[@Nao-ll7su]

In one sentense : people who hate on pushers have a bad mindset.

[@MarianoCicciarelliOfficial]

let me fix that quickly for you. People who hate have a bad mindset.

[@BNabs88]

My guess is that the commentors who say "it's not tennis" are referring to the fact that a lot of recreational tennis players want to feel like we are playing the sport we watch on TV, trying to emulate the technique of the pros, etc. However the "pusher" is just playing to win, not trying to copy the styles they see on TV. I can completely see why some people find it frustrating and "not fun", but maybe if you don't enjoy coming up against someone that is just playing to win, then you shouldn't be playing "ranked" tennis I'm saying this as someone who has always had consistency and patience as their biggest problem, and would likely lose to a good pusher like this guy unless I really really forced myself to concentrate for the whole match. I don't disrespect pushers because they do best what I do worst, but I can definitely see why some may not find it fun to play them

[@norie3096]

the thing is how many pusher do you have in tennis trainings. at my tennis club i have maybe 1 pusher.. but he's not taking group lessons. meaning that people never encounter pushers in daily basis...

[@willkittwk]

The best way to play a pusher is to blow him off the court if you have power. If you have average power just run him side to side and firm angle shots. Don't slow ball him cause he's giving no pace or overhit. Keep in mind you using about 80% power which actually pros use most of the time to control the rally. Come in on his short balls and hit good approach that make him distress so he can't lob that well. When you frustrate him more than he does you that's a great feeling!

[@norie3096]

@@willkittwk true. :). and be prepared for lob.

[@johnsmith-wv4jw]

The pros are steady, they hit with that power because they can without making unforced errors. In reality a pusher is playing like a pro than a ball bashing player, who makes a lot of unforced errors, is.

[@norie3096]

@@johnsmith-wv4jw Federer had 82 unforced errors against millman at the Australian Open. ball bashing player ? difference between pro and club players..pro will play the game they know even if they loose with it. and even if they make tons of unforced errors.

[@krishnahariramani7287]

Hey, I just binged watched a lot of your videos, I love the channel, keep up the good work man.

[@EssentialTennis]

🙏

[@anitajunior7634]

Keep doing what you're doing Ian. I love watching your videos!!!

[@EssentialTennis]

🙏

[@uff321]

Being a defensive player is perfectly acceptable, but if you're an amateur player and all you ever do is push... it's just not very interesting or fun to play you and at this level, it's about it being fun, first and foremost. It's so much more exciting to play someone who is trying to improve, to take risks, to use quality shots. And there's a difference between a pusher dealing junk balls and a defensive players, playing quality tennis, taking risks and using strategy. The pusher in this video series is excellent at what he does, a real human wall, but just looking at his movement and body language during points, he is just too content at just boring the other guy into an error. If this were a tournament, fair enough, win ugly if you must, but if it's just guys playing sets for fun, there are only so many times I'd care to play with someone like that!

[@patrickmcnally7901]

It's boring for you, but for him it's being fun.

[@uff321]

@@patrickmcnally7901 I guess you're right! I mean, I admit that trying to beat pushers is a challenge and helps me improve. Some of them are very hard to beat and overcoming them means I have to be more consistent and play a smarter game. However, the pushers I know, seem to never improve or adapt and are content just thriving on my mistakes. That makes them boring for me. One guy beat me a few times with no technique at all. Last time I played him, I tried to see what would happen if I played like he did. I ended up just standing in the middle of the court, not even bending my knees, simply moon balling very slow balls. He ended up missing at a certain point, but it was so unsatisfying!

[@seidinger]

I’d love to watch these self proclaimed “technique masters” of the comments playing against the green shirt lad... I myself like to hit the ball hard and with as much topspin as I can, because that’s the style I like playing. That said, I’d lose to this guy 8/10 times, If not more! All these people are just envious and butt hurt, somehow thinking they are they play like the pros... it’s pathetic!

[@deleteduser8574]

Honestly, I think people don't realize that pushers have one thing that everyone should have. Patterns.

[@yaysoon]

I learn so much from your videos. Thank you!!

[@avolox]

Absolutely LOVE how you handled this.

[@Dom-yv4nq]

Very, very well said. I'm much older than you are. I've played competition for my country until I was 36. I was a self taught player, (and ITF instructor) never being coached my entire life, however I developed my strokes to conform with the game. Playing "pushers" I mentally approached the match with a "better than thou" attitude because my style was "normal" as opposed to them. I lost a key FINALS to a pusher because I just told myself he's "beneath" me and I never tried hard enough. That was over 15 years ago and has (obviously) haunted me till now. I've tried to video myself as often as practicable and therefore critique myself positively (or negatively as necessary) and grow from there. I've just pointed out the major bonus of having a coach ! Your coaching is very much on point. Thank you.

[@adrianbullaoit1866]

I'm glad you made this video. It is a good reality check for some and let's people reflect on their own games. I find getting to the next step is mostly change of mindset which has taken me some time to accept and change how I play against them as I had those same feelings when playing then. But it has made me better now.

[@vicenteromeugomez-tenor3901]

Love the video, love the positive spirit, keep on that one. With love from Chile

[@Vo-iDstudio]

Great info. Thanks

[@elizabethmester322]

Great video! Thank you. It made me think.

[@marcshaw9934]

A++ Ian. Rediscovering tennis 3 years ago; 50 years since taking it in college PE. 5 grandchildren later we reluctantly retired and discovered it again; now play at ~ 3.5 level. With video and on-court lessons have managed to retain a positive slope on the ability - age Cartesian matrix. The feel of achievement, the excitement of competition, adrenaline pumping into our vanes and butterfly's fluttering before the community team match as an expanding social community forms - Tennis.

[@danielwoolfe1135]

You're a straight shooter. Thank you for showing one of the things our world needs right now - common sense and honesty.

[@iceb0y69]

Ian. What an amazing video! I have watched you right from the start and if could subscribe twice I would. Big props for calling out haters. Way too much negativity in the world and we don’t need more on the court. Well done!

[@chrisgreen7177]

I love this series. I needed to see it and have learned a lot. I play 3.5 and just played a match against a similar player and i literally made every mistake you said and lost the match in tie-break. He was ultra fit and sent EVERY ball back.

[@esztervegvari]

Your positive attitude and your amazing kind personality making this video worth to watch everyone of us - struggeling with our own demons. I just lost a party with a pusher, and I am seeing the whole match from another angle now...

[@sritamprout]

Loved the analysis! We play because we love and enjoy the game. Everyone has his/her own style and there is nothing wrong with being a pusher. Kudos to essential tennis for such a great video!

[@lauralevin8568]

Thank you so much for addressing the negative comments, Ian --there's too much of that in this world! What a wonderful role model you are. Keep up the great work!

[@DJBop86]

Really enjoying the videos - I’ve tried to implement some of the lessons you’ve put up and have noticed the difference! I’ve also been trying to pass them on to my friends (as best as I can, lol) so that we are all improving. For me, part of the challenge (and satisfaction) is in trying to overcome various styles. It’s like problem solving in a way. Variety is the spice of life and there are many ways to skin a cat which is true in this case. Maybe as a self-taught player myself, I have a bit more sympathy for “pushers”? You really nailed it re watching yourself on video - I never realised quite how short my backswing on the forehand was until I filmed myself.

[@graysonboley2624]

Love this, man! It’s hard to find a coach with this mindset. It’s not always all about technique. This guy (the pusher) probably just enjoys the game and he doesn’t care if he looks good. He enjoys playing and he enjoys winning. For those that think you need to have perfect form all the time I’d like for them to think about a hard serve. Even in the pros when they get a serve fired at them they just try and get a racquet on the ball.

[@JimArthurVanWyck]

I have followed this channel for years...and the Facebook group too. This is ...to me.... Ian’s best video. Especially since it comes from a tennis technique teacher!

[@randomanon9180]

I used to be a "real tennis" purist in the past. It took me stepping back to realize that I was beating myself playing out of desperation or to prove how much better I was, and it was causing me to tank matches. Admittedly, I've lost a majority of matches that I've played by people I was "better than" or "should have beat". This series of videos has basically revitalized all that I've come to learn from self-reflection. Thanks for the reminder, Ian, and I will continue to watch for these kinds of analyses in the future. On a separate note, do you have any videos about anxiousness and impulsiveness during a match?

[@waterGardening]

This is very well done. You lay out the facts like a good lawyer!

[@phoenixclassicalpilates4888]

Thanks Ian for your passion of the game. I belong to the group that LOVES THE GAME, everything from the lines too the color of the ball and the sound of the ball off my racquet .

[@alexmcnab63]

Thanks Ian for these great videos, very insightful. My friend I recorded a match a few years. I put it on youtube but didn't have the nerve to make it public. We couldn' t believe how slow and terrible we looked but we both look at it occasionally for a good laugh - if we playback the video at 1.25X speed it looks "normal". It's the single best thing for players to do, if only for a good laugh!

[@amfcf]

Love this video and love your channel and love the way you communicate your thoughts and ideas. It's a mental game. Whoever wins, pusher or whatever, is the better mental player at the time. I have trouble w/ my muscle memory (mental aspect) going from slice to 'topspin'. I realized long ago to play tennis for myself and no one else. It's one area of life where you can be completely selfish and do it for yourself and guide your own path to whatever gives you joy. Hitting my same crappy forehand does not give me joy, but continuing to try to work it out does.

[@jameshaylett7512]

This series is on pushers is one of the best tennis video series that I have seen on KZbin. I have played on and captained several USTA 4.0 tennis teams into the sectional level. Many of the best singles players at this level of tennis are defensive players. They work hard getting the ball back with good court coverage and keep their opponent off-balanced with shot variation and placement. Lately I have have been searching out these type of players because of the difficulty I have playing them and the frustration I have losing to a game that I have not given the proper respect. I know that I will not get better until I can play against this type of game. This video series finally shows a strategy on playing this type of player. The most important insight is keeping your ego in check. During my tennis life, I have remembered only the winners I hit in a match and played my matches with that mindset. Your statistics on the ratio of errors to winners showed me that my thinking has been backwards. I now consider errors hit by my opponents as winners, particularly if my play forced them to attempt low percentage shots. I am already seeing some positive results applying this lesson.

[@marcelofeltrin3388]

I found the series on pushers VERY helpful because, regardless of anything, I happen to face these type of players every now and then. And I´ve lost several times to players that I´d rate as worst than I am. Only thing is any good rating systems are based on results, so obviously it´s is MY rating system that needs to change. So Ian, thank you for providing such valuable information so that next time I may end up winning a game that I otherwise would risk losing.

[@morganzimmerglass9925]

Yeah I’ve never cared for the self rating tennis system because people tend to overrate themselves and it doesn’t take into account fitness, mentality, feel, improvisation, reading of the game etc.

[@gregfranzo2806]

Thank you for doing this series. I shared each of the videos with the players on my USTA League teams, prefacing the email "For those of you who have ever said “I should have beaten that guy” ". When I hear that as they come off the court, I say "the player who should have won, did". We need to come up with a term for players who are "raw" rather than "refined" that endears their style rather than disparages it. Look around the recreational and league play courts; I believe "raw" is the dominant style. Yes, there are many players out there at the 3.0-4.0 levels who are endeavoring to use "refined" strokes, maybe even practicing to "own" them. Curiously, however, when they face a competent "raw" style player, the "refined" strokes player is the one who most often bemoans "I should have beaten that guy", usually accompanied by statements: I had to generate all the pace; the ball was moving so slow; I nor he had any idea where his shot was going; etc. The hard truth: they made way too many errors gifting way too many games. Since most players at the higher end of 4.0 and almost all 4.5 and 5.0 players own refined and reliable strokes, if a player wants to achieve a higher level, or just for tennis to be more enjoyable at the level someone is at, working towards becoming competent with refined strokes is a worthy effort. Regardless of style, the person or doubles team on the court that gets the ball over the net, inside the lines, in the general area aimed, and making good decisions most often is the player/doubles team on the tall side of the score. They likely had more fun, or at least feel better about their play, too.

[@hcubic]

I am 80 year-old 30 player, who often beats players 50 years younger, and often with higher ratings. For the most part, I find my competitors to be supportive and I seldom hear derision. I think that one of the best things about tennis (which it shares with golf) is that sportsmanship is an essential part of the game, from calling your own lines to shaking hands after a match. Thank you for pointing out the futility of negativity in our game.

[@haryluney1]

You are so positive and inspiring and God bless you and your family in everything that you do.respect from 🇸🇬

[@alfriedrich]

THANK YOU!! Shared and subscribed. Being in Atlanta and playing Ultimate and T2 singles and always losing badly to the defensive players made me quit singles.

[@Tennisbull-match-statistics]

❤️ it, great way to finish this video series!!! In my weekly practice matches a now play one of the mini sets as a “pusher/defensive player”. It made me uncomfortable and I wasn’t consistent enough but I’m improving week by week. It helps me a lot to be more patient and go for higher margins

[@EssentialTennis]

🙏

[@maris6074]

Well said; great approach Ian

[@EssentialTennis]

THanks for your support, Mari!

[@mikemarek889]

Ian, I am loving that you continue to use Sport Psychology and mindset training in your videos. There are 3 ways to get better at tennis. Train the skills and strategy of tennis, train your body, and train your mind. This video does a great job on training the mind and mindset to better performance. Great job! (The three ways theory is from Sport and performance psychologist Michael Gervais. Wish I could take full credit for it. 😀)

[@dylannguyen1953]

Love this last video. I just want to add that as an adaptive player (read: massive pusher), I think of tennis as a strategy game. Whoever hits the ball in the court more times, and at important times... WINS. End of story. I don't care why. Lack of footwork, lack of technique, lack of fitness, lack of patience, can't handle the power, can't handle the depth, can't handle the accuracy, can't handle the spin, whatever the reason, I don't care. Fact is, when you lose, you just didn't have the skills to win. And sometimes a bit of luck helps too. Thanks Ian.

[@carsonh2060]

What a great mindset. Thank you.

[@hydrax1095]

Great video!!

[@lndivakar]

Very good comparison and provides lots of thoughts on how to play with defensive players. 👏👏👏