Your game should be structured around many different types of shots (serve, return, loop, push, smash, block) and many different variations of each shot (speed, spin, depth, placement, height).  Most players are very irregular in the types of shots that they use throughout the match, and so these players think that they are being “tricky” or “irregular” throughout their matches.
 
When closely inspected through video analysis, many of these players are truly good at different types of shots BUT very bad at variations for each shot.
 
So how does this apply to you?
 
You need to take a close look at your own game.  Record one of your matches at the club this week and watch the video at home.  Take statistics at home about each shot and see if you have good variations.  You might find that perhaps your forehand always went crosscourt and you never had any down-the-line variations.  You might find that your backhand block was always fast and you never varied it with off-paced blocks.  You might find that your forehand pendulum serve always went to the short to the backhand and you didn’t give other variations.  Remember that throughout the match, you must be irregular is which shots you hit and irregular in changing up the variations of each shot!
 
So how does this apply to your rival?
 
If you are aware of your rival’s tendencies, patterns, and common shots, it will drastically help as you prepare tactically for your next dual against him.  Take the time to study his points shot-by-shot.  With detailed analysis, you should be able to form excellent game tactics against him!