Concentration

I took a great lesson today with Richard.  I talked about my progress.  My forehand drives are better. I move around the court better and more efficiently.  I volley and my overall widths are better too.  With the championship coming up in mind, we agreed on doing some random feeds that covered volleys and cross courts.  My number one goal today was concentration.  I wanted randomized feeds so I would have to watch Richard and the ball.  After a slow start, my focus became sharper. The drills started out straight volleys forehand and then backhand.  Next, it was volleys forehand or backhand with Richard randomly throwing in the cross court which I would return with a cross court volley.  The next drill was a familiar one. Richard feeds a volley to length and I volley to length.  He randomly boasts and I have to straight drive back to him.  The final drill puts all of them together.

The concentration got better and as it did, I started to crouch and glide towards the ball effortlessly.  I was lunging and dragging the back foot naturally too.  The only thought left was hitting the ball at the right point of contact so I could keep the ball tight against the side wall.  I felt more relaxed and confident.  It came to me easier, but it also took more energy out of me. As the drill got closer to the 3 minute mark, I felt tired physically even though I didn't think I was working hard.

The three things I have to maintain when concentration fades are 1) keeping still no matter what my position is 2) hit through the ball 3) hold the swing for as long as I can without being late.  Today's lesson I was on the mark with all three.  While I had to take two breaks, I did not have long lapses and I regained concentration quickly for the two short lapses I did have.

What I'd like from Richard's lessons next is to master these drills and ask Richard to change not only the direction, but also the pace.