Preparations

Preparations are being made for districts, including what I hope is a bit of a (positive) change in philosophy in my singles games. Never thought tennis was that deep, did you?

Yesterday, when all the plans for a team practice fell apart, I was still itching to play. So, I grabbed my stuff and drove on over to 'Bertha'. Bertha is the name given to a little, out of the way hitting wall that I've found. It is usually completely deserted, but evidently not forgotten, as I was pleased to find that the area has been fenced in since my last visit (yay...no more chasing balls into the storm drain!).

It is real easy to hit against a wall and actually do more harm than good. I tried very hard to make sure I was focusing on two things -> my contact with the ball and my feet. I soon realized that I was just hitting as hard as I could, and stopped myself. I forced myself to just hit 'solid' and not necessarily with a lot of pace. I got into a good rhythm, especially on my BH side. My FH loop is still too big most of the time, causing my contact to be late.

But all in all, a good practice session. I was supposed to play in the make-up match for Tennacity, but it got called due to 'oh jeez, this match doesn't matter anyway and will just get rained out again'-itis.

This morning I met up with CB to hit. We were supposed to have a foursome and play doubles, but she and I were the only two there, so after a bit of a chat, we hit singles for about an hour and a half. And...I think I had a bit of a breakthrough. CB plays both singles and doubles, and is a *smart* player (something I still lack). After a bit, she pulled me aside and said 'Look, when you have me stretched out, why in the world aren't you coming in?'. She even very graciously demonstrated by running *me* corner to corner, coming in, and gently placing a volley where I had no hope of ever getting it.

So then I did it...by stretching her out to her weaker side (BH)...and OMG! Easy, easy points! She is good enough to also give me alots of different kinds of balls, and it was a great practice. Again, I found that I can control the ball and place it when I'm not trying to hit the tar out of it.

After this, I moseyed down the road for a pick-up lesson with CR (who is trying to whoo me into being a regular student). We worked on returns, which was great. She had me change my positioning slighty, and we worked on taking a weak serve down the line to set up the point aggressively. Again, we have found that I'm not turning my shoulders and taking my racquet waaaay back too far, especially on that FH side. She wants me to take the loop out completely, but I'd rather just work on shortening up the loop. I like the loop!

Then we did the diamond drill, which was a great singles drill. She marked out a diamond on the court with some cones. I was to hit the ball outside of the diamond. Doing that made my opponent (one of CR's camp helpers...good college player) run like mad, get out of position, and usually hit an error. If not an error, than a weak reply. Again...hello...it wasn't about pace. I really got the hang of it after seeing the visual reminder of the cones.

CR teaches one of my opponents from the season (MS), and suggested that we share a lesson. Now, *this* was more like it. Since I lost my Monday shared lesson, I've really missed the more individual attention and the opportunity to hit regularly with another 3.5 (or better) woman. So, she called up MS and she thought it was a good idea, too, and it looks like I have my Monday night tennis back, just with a different partner and instructor. I still have my Skyline clinics, too, and hopefully pick-up lessons with Sup. Sup and CR complement each other perfectly...I can almost finish CR's sentences because I've heard the same thing come out of Sup's mouth! So, I feel like working with both won't mess me up.

Except, I'm keeping my loop! Just need to compact it!

Then I was off to clean up and drive into FFX to a charity that I found that took all my books I was getting rid of! Yay!

Then, back into Arlington for some tennis with some TTW boys. We hit at TJ Middle School, and I liked it much better than Wakefield. A nicer setting, and more 'structure' on the court...meaning the other people were nice and had much better etiquette on the other courts. We played some doubles and were just hitting around when the skies opened up. It actually felt good, as the rain was a bit cold.

And now, as I look over my schedule, I realize we leave on Thursday for districts, and I have tennis scheduled Sat (DC match), Sun (clinic), Mon (shared lesson), Tues (Susie), and Wed (clinic). So, no tennis for me tomorrow! It might just be time to hit the pool and see what I can do about my hideous tan lines!