Coach Samson Dubina US National Team Coach 4x USATT Coach of the Year
 

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Anticipation Basics

Learn the 8 Simple Keys

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Many of my students think that they can read-my-mind.  They can’t read-my-mind but they can read-my-racket.  Instead of merely “guessing” where the next ball is going, they should be watching my racket and adjusting based on what they “see”.
 
As soon as my student his the ball, my student should have a good idea in general about what type of shot I might hit next.  For example, if they serve a short low backspin serve, they know that I will push or flip.  If they serve a long serve, they know that I will loop.  They also know that if they serve long to my forehand that the most dangerous return is a loop wide to their forehand.  So, as soon as they serve deep to my forehand, they should prepare for the deep ball wide to their forehand while keeping their racket in front and being ready to adjust.
 
Next, my student needs to watch my racket.  By watching the racket angle, he can adjust his position to know if I’m going to place to ball to his wide forehand (which he originally predicted), to the middle, or to the wide backhand. 
 
I might fake him by changing my wrist at the last second.  However, 90% of the time, the angle that is seen is the angle that will be used for the shot.  If my angle set for hitting the ball to the wide forehand, then my student needs to move in that direction.  My student should not be double-thinking himself waiting for the triple-fake.
 
Remember
1. You can’t read my mind
2. You can read my racket
3. Anticipate based on the type of shot you hit
4. Anticipate based on the placement of the shot you hit
5. Anticipate with your body while keeping your racket in front
6. Watch my angle and readjust your body
7. Don’t commit with the backswing until you are fully sure of the positioning and type of my shot
8. Always be ready to adjust and re-adjust

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