New year enlightenments and resolutions

Since returning from NYC, I've played squash twice. Today's lesson with Richard was more cerebral than physical. Niki always gives physically demanding lessons, while Richard always gives more technical lessons. I finally understood in my own words what Richard's been saying all along about cutting off the ball and volleying. All these years I understood it for one shot. If I cut it off, I can win the rally. If I volley it, I can hit a winner.  The idea of cultivating the point crossed my mind, but it was always in the context of staying in it or rather staying with my opponent until an opportunity comes up.

Well, that's all changed from today's lesson.  Richard made it clear to me finally.  It's about controlling the rally. To control the rally you must control the tempo. What is tempo? Richard used the word 'pace' and to me it has always meant speed, but Richard said it is not about 'hitting it hard.' He admits he doesn't hit it hard, but he hits the ball early.  So I thought, what is hitting it early - volley, half volley, volley drop?  Yes!

I don't really understand why it has eluded me so long.  I've watched years of tennis. I know if you hit the ball at the top of the bounce, you can generate more power on the return. Why didn't I think of the other effect?  Hitting it early meant taking time away from your opponent, of course!  Especially in squash when the ball is played in a small confined space. Even a second makes a big difference.

Well, I've put two and two together now.  Tempo is how much time I let my opponent have between shots.  I can control that and I have to play at a higher tempo while still maintaining good lengths and widths to play 4.5s.  Playing with a faster tempo is how I will eventually win the rally, but I can change the tempo during the rally and that can affect my opponents too! This is where I can finally form a strategy with tempo!

Richard's pointers for today - lengths on straight drives, widths on cross, keep still hitting through the shots.  Sounds simple.  But keeping still took a lot more concentration and strengths than I was conscious of.  It was tiring to keep still through the shots when I was running back after the shot.  Also it was hard to be efficient in my footwork. I found in the drill I was getting too close to the ball and too far behind the ball.

Lastly, I continue to struggle with concentration and mental toughness.  I learned I could regain some mental composure by focusing on deep knee bend.  I played this way on my third game with Richard.  To execute on my new found strategy on tempo, Richard gave me one other pointer.  20 lengths court sprints in less than 1 minute with 1 minute break in between sets. When I can no longer complete 20, then I should stop.