Playing style and strategy

Alois and Jeff,

I have become confused. I have always known my playing style - mostly aggressive blocking and hitting.

Two things are making me rethink how I play.

1. My coach has been encouraging me to serve more backspin and then attack long pushes on either wing by looping (my BH loop needs lots of work!)

2. I have been trying to play in as many matches/tournaments as possible and when I have played against better players my current style isn't up to it. It isn't that I don't win (and I don't) it is more that I am not being competitive. My opponents have been quick loopers and my blocking isn't good enough to cause then any issues or create attacking chances for myself.

Now the crunch questions is, if I decide to try more of a looping game (and presumably counter looping when needed) do I try this against everyone or just when I play against the better players I meet?

This means possibly not winning against players I might expect to beat as I am trying to adapt to a new style. (I could just try to improve my blocking but I think against the better players I am just handing them the initiative. so I don't see this as an option)

Hi Nigel,

I would recommend a move to the more attacking style. It may mean swallowing your pride for a little while as you may lose to some lower level players, but in the end you will have a better game that will be able to take you further.

Good luck with the move.