Photo by Donna SakaiSystematic Drills
I've never understood why more players don't focus like a laser beam on exactly what they need to do to improve, and do specific drills that allow them to systematically develop those techniques. The key phrase here might be "systematically." For example, many rallies begin with an opponent looping against a push. This means you will face a loop off a push a lot - and so should practice systematically against it. To many, this means perhaps playing games or doing drills where the point starts with a player looping off a push - and that's a start. But suppose you do that, while your twin does a drill where he faces these loops against backspin five times as often, who's going to improve against it faster?
So instead of playing out points, why not have one player serve and loop against a push, and while the other player reacts to the loop (probably by blocking, smashing, or counterlooping), the other player is reaching for another ball from a box of balls to serve and loop again. Result? One player gets systematic practice looping against a push; the other gets systematic practice against a loop off a push, perhaps working on his counterloop, which is different against a loop off backspin then a loop in a topspin rally. Both players dramatically improve.
The same logic applies to other situations. Have trouble with a specific serve - say, a big breaking serve into the backhand? Then have a coach systematically give you that serve, without playing out the point. Or have a practice partner give you that serve and perhaps he plays one shot off your return, and then reach for another ball. Result? He systematically practices his serve and attack, while you systematically practice your receive off the serve that gives you trouble.
