Jekyll and Hyde

Practice last night was a not so strange case of Jekyll and Hyde. I started the night without warming up first feeling pretty nimble on my feet and good overall. That was the sign of trouble. From then on, my game was erratic.  I felt quick on my feet, but I was actually just unfocused and jumpy.  I really didn't see the ball and wasn't watching intently. That was Mr. Hyde playing.  After an hour of it, I realized I wasn't watching. I did some ghosting for a few minutes and returned to playing. I started to open my peepers and concentrated on watching the ball, waiting until the other player hit the ball before reacting.  That made the difference and my game picked up.  I finished the night playing as Dr. Jekyll.

Lessons I toke away last night are the same. Watching the ball, but also waiting until after the other player has hit the ball before reacting.  The timing of the two events make for fast movement, but it was not easy to do.

I still have problems seeing and responding to front court mini boasts or trickle boasts.  I still do not open the racquet face on the forehand backswing.  And I still lunge to the left on my left foot.  I will need a plan to address these three things.