Topic: Monster

[OSU Buckeye]

Did you play Scott already or are you posting some other clips?

Nope, the big show down with Scooter is going to be awhile. Probably during the Cincy Masters if possible. I drove up to Monsterville from some dubs and video taping.

Oh the build up. I'm telling you you should sell tickets to this blockbuster.

Hopefully DMast can put together of a highlight reel of the singles and the dubs....and of course the ensuing barbeeecue/massacre at OSB's!

Massacre at my place????      WTF?????

[Pacer]

  @ Monster salivating for tbe BBQ already.

[monstertruck]

@ Monster salivating for tbe BBQ already.

  That "massacre"! 

[monstertruck]

Played some dubs tonight and my string of poor play continues.
No control of my serve, dumping easy volleys and overheads.  I did manage to hit a few spectacular BH slice returns, but I blew twice as many against servers I'm usually cash money on>   Am going to chalk this bad spell up to lack of sleep the past week or so.  Hoping for a good outing tomorrow evening when I sub into a group with the local club pros.

[Jamesdster]

Played some dubs tonight and my string of poor play continues.
No control of my serve, dumping easy volleys and overheads.  I did manage to hit a few spectacular BH slice returns, but I blew twice as many against servers I'm usually cash money on>   Am going to chalk this bad spell up to lack of sleep the past week or so.  Hoping for a good outing tomorrow evening when I sub into a group with the local club pros.

As someone who knows a lot about not sleeping properly, let me tell you that can have a HUGE impact on your tennis game, job performance, you name it.  I think that is one of the ingredients causing my occasional dizzy spells.  It's bad enough sitting behind a desk all day when you aren't well rested, but to race after a short ball....fuhgettaboutit!

[OSU Buckeye]

Played some dubs tonight and my string of poor play continues.
No control of my serve, dumping easy volleys and overheads.  I did manage to hit a few spectacular BH slice returns, but I blew twice as many against servers I'm usually cash money on>   Am going to chalk this bad spell up to lack of sleep the past week or so.  Hoping for a good outing tomorrow evening when I sub into a group with the local club pros.

As someone who knows a lot about not sleeping properly, let me tell you that can have a HUGE impact on your tennis game, job performance, you name it.  I think that is one of the ingredients causing my occasional dizzy spells.  It's bad enough sitting behind a desk all day when you aren't well rested, but to race after a short ball....fuhgettaboutit!

You have trouble sleeping?       The cure for sleep troubles is more exercise and you have been doing that. 

[monstertruck]

Played some dubs tonight and my string of poor play continues.
No control of my serve, dumping easy volleys and overheads.  I did manage to hit a few spectacular BH slice returns, but I blew twice as many against servers I'm usually cash money on>   Am going to chalk this bad spell up to lack of sleep the past week or so.  Hoping for a good outing tomorrow evening when I sub into a group with the local club pros.

As someone who knows a lot about not sleeping properly, let me tell you that can have a HUGE impact on your tennis game, job performance, you name it.  I think that is one of the ingredients causing my occasional dizzy spells.  It's bad enough sitting behind a desk all day when you aren't well rested, but to race after a short ball....fuhgettaboutit!

You have trouble sleeping?       The cure for sleep troubles is more exercise and you have been doing that. 

Sometimes I don't get home from tennis until 1130pm and I am still pretty jacked up for another hour or so.  I usually get up between 5 and 6 a.m.  I can handle this for a night or so, but when they start running together it seems to snowball.  Also, I had a gas attack the other night which would have wiped out the eastern seaboard!  Darn steak and onions....and peppers....and garlic....and winter squash!

The exercise has been helping for sure!  Am fortunate that the tennis is getting in the way of my treadmill schedule!  Will only have  2 off days since last Thurs through this Sunday.  That's what I'M talkin' about!!!  woooohoooo!

[monstertruck]

Played some dubs tonight and my string of poor play continues.
No control of my serve, dumping easy volleys and overheads.  I did manage to hit a few spectacular BH slice returns, but I blew twice as many against servers I'm usually cash money on>   Am going to chalk this bad spell up to lack of sleep the past week or so.  Hoping for a good outing tomorrow evening when I sub into a group with the local club pros.

As someone who knows a lot about not sleeping properly, let me tell you that can have a HUGE impact on your tennis game, job performance, you name it.  I think that is one of the ingredients causing my occasional dizzy spells.  It's bad enough sitting behind a desk all day when you aren't well rested, but to race after a short ball....fuhgettaboutit!

I'm convinced that is part of the problem with my mind/body disconnection.  Until recently I had been making progress in focusing on the ball, relaxing, and staying in the moment.  I felt like I was recognizing, reacting, and recovering well almost every point.  Lately it seems like my brain isn't even capable of recognizing opponents shots and doing the calculations for my reaction.  Oh well, today was a bit better.

[OSU Buckeye]

Played some dubs tonight and my string of poor play continues.
No control of my serve, dumping easy volleys and overheads.  I did manage to hit a few spectacular BH slice returns, but I blew twice as many against servers I'm usually cash money on>   Am going to chalk this bad spell up to lack of sleep the past week or so.  Hoping for a good outing tomorrow evening when I sub into a group with the local club pros.

As someone who knows a lot about not sleeping properly, let me tell you that can have a HUGE impact on your tennis game, job performance, you name it.  I think that is one of the ingredients causing my occasional dizzy spells.  It's bad enough sitting behind a desk all day when you aren't well rested, but to race after a short ball....fuhgettaboutit!

You have trouble sleeping?       The cure for sleep troubles is more exercise and you have been doing that. 

Sometimes I don't get home from tennis until 1130pm and I am still pretty jacked up for another hour or so.  I usually get up between 5 and 6 a.m.  I can handle this for a night or so, but when they start running together it seems to snowball.  Also, I had a gas attack the other night which would have wiped out the eastern seaboard!  Darn steak and onions....and peppers....and garlic....and winter squash!

The exercise has been helping for sure!  Am fortunate that the tennis is getting in the way of my treadmill schedule!  Will only have  2 off days since last Thurs through this Sunday.  That's what I'M talkin' about!!!  woooohoooo!

I know what you are talking.  One of my issues is when to eat?  I can't eat within 2 hours of playing or I feel like a sloth on the court.  And, I can't eat after tennis really because that is to late to be stuffing myself.  But, like Rally's says, I gotta eat!  So I do and then I have trouble getting to bed early enough.  You gotta stop that crap from happening multiple days in the same week.   

[OSU Buckeye]

Played some dubs tonight and my string of poor play continues.
No control of my serve, dumping easy volleys and overheads.  I did manage to hit a few spectacular BH slice returns, but I blew twice as many against servers I'm usually cash money on>   Am going to chalk this bad spell up to lack of sleep the past week or so.  Hoping for a good outing tomorrow evening when I sub into a group with the local club pros.

As someone who knows a lot about not sleeping properly, let me tell you that can have a HUGE impact on your tennis game, job performance, you name it.  I think that is one of the ingredients causing my occasional dizzy spells.  It's bad enough sitting behind a desk all day when you aren't well rested, but to race after a short ball....fuhgettaboutit!

I'm convinced that is part of the problem with my mind/body disconnection.  Until recently I had been making progress in focusing on the ball, relaxing, and staying in the moment.  I felt like I was recognizing, reacting, and recovering well almost every point.  Lately it seems like my brain isn't even capable of recognizing opponents shots and doing the calculations for my reaction.  Oh well, today was a bit better.

Its quite interesting how we can be aware of what is going on but not really be able to change it while it is happening.  That stuff you talk about recognizing and disconnection is spot on.  Sometimes it is connected and working smoothly and when it is disconnected the tennis just isn't smooth and free.  And, none of that is really controlled by us.........except getting enough sleep and stuff.    You could throw stress levels into that equation of affecting tennis. 

[monstertruck]

Played some dubs tonight and my string of poor play continues.
No control of my serve, dumping easy volleys and overheads.  I did manage to hit a few spectacular BH slice returns, but I blew twice as many against servers I'm usually cash money on>   Am going to chalk this bad spell up to lack of sleep the past week or so.  Hoping for a good outing tomorrow evening when I sub into a group with the local club pros.

As someone who knows a lot about not sleeping properly, let me tell you that can have a HUGE impact on your tennis game, job performance, you name it.  I think that is one of the ingredients causing my occasional dizzy spells.  It's bad enough sitting behind a desk all day when you aren't well rested, but to race after a short ball....fuhgettaboutit!

You have trouble sleeping?       The cure for sleep troubles is more exercise and you have been doing that. 

Sometimes I don't get home from tennis until 1130pm and I am still pretty jacked up for another hour or so.  I usually get up between 5 and 6 a.m.  I can handle this for a night or so, but when they start running together it seems to snowball.  Also, I had a gas attack the other night which would have wiped out the eastern seaboard!  Darn steak and onions....and peppers....and garlic....and winter squash!

The exercise has been helping for sure!  Am fortunate that the tennis is getting in the way of my treadmill schedule!  Will only have  2 off days since last Thurs through this Sunday.  That's what I'M talkin' about!!!  woooohoooo!

I know what you are talking.  One of my issues is when to eat?  I can't eat within 2 hours of playing or I feel like a sloth on the court.  And, I can't eat after tennis really because that is to late to be stuffing myself.  But, like Rally's says, I gotta eat!  So I do and then I have trouble getting to bed early enough.  You gotta stop that crap from happening multiple days in the same week.   

What, stop the tennis?
Stop the eating?

I hear ya bro'.  Fueling the machine is a fine line.  And then balancing the work/life schedule so you get enough good sleep is tough.  I guess being self-employed I'm better off than most.

[monstertruck]

Played some dubs tonight and my string of poor play continues.
No control of my serve, dumping easy volleys and overheads.  I did manage to hit a few spectacular BH slice returns, but I blew twice as many against servers I'm usually cash money on>   Am going to chalk this bad spell up to lack of sleep the past week or so.  Hoping for a good outing tomorrow evening when I sub into a group with the local club pros.

As someone who knows a lot about not sleeping properly, let me tell you that can have a HUGE impact on your tennis game, job performance, you name it.  I think that is one of the ingredients causing my occasional dizzy spells.  It's bad enough sitting behind a desk all day when you aren't well rested, but to race after a short ball....fuhgettaboutit!

I'm convinced that is part of the problem with my mind/body disconnection.  Until recently I had been making progress in focusing on the ball, relaxing, and staying in the moment.  I felt like I was recognizing, reacting, and recovering well almost every point.  Lately it seems like my brain isn't even capable of recognizing opponents shots and doing the calculations for my reaction.  Oh well, today was a bit better.

Its quite interesting how we can be aware of what is going on but not really be able to change it while it is happening.  That stuff you talk about recognizing and disconnection is spot on.  Sometimes it is connected and working smoothly and when it is disconnected the tennis just isn't smooth and free.  And, none of that is really controlled by us.........except getting enough sleep and stuff.    You could throw stress levels into that equation of affecting tennis. 

I've never read "The Inner Game of Tennis", I much prefer "Winning Ugly" by Gilbert, but I'm assuming what needs to happen during match play is a complete letting go of any outside influences.  The reason I mention the books is because I think that in the first it's more about acceptance, relaxtion, and disconnecting the mind intentionally in order to let the mind/body function as it's been trained.  What happens in my case is that when my game goes down the tubes my brain starts to overthinkitize whats going on instead of just hitting the freakin' ball to the best of my current ability (which seems to be pretty crappy the past couple weeks).

[monstertruck]

Another less than splendid outing this evening, tho' I did get to hit with another solid 5.0 player.

We hit some singles warmup, and he destroyed me 6-3.  It wasn't even really that close.  He was very consistent which just highlighted my lack of mobility.  To top it off, I didn't serve very well, consistently.  Shades of greatness-  coming back from down love 40 to win coupled with 6 service winners-  combined with some atrocious return games thanks to his heavy topspin serve.  I couldn't even get the ball in play in most cases.  Very disappointing, as I value my return game as highly as my serve.   Turned out to be a pretty nice fellow and am sure we will meet again on the Thurs. night battlefield.

As I reflect back on my tennis over the past 2 weeks, I'm a tad bummed over my level of play, but am SUPER excited to finally be playing "up" a level despite the fact that I'm getting beat like a redheaded step-child.

[dmastous]

Another less than splendid outing this evening, tho' I did get to hit with another solid 5.0 player.

We hit some singles warmup, and he destroyed me 6-3.  It wasn't even really that close.  He was very consistent which just highlighted my lack of mobility.  To top it off, I didn't serve very well, consistently.  Shades of greatness-  coming back from down love 40 to win coupled with 6 service winners-  combined with some atrocious return games thanks to his heavy topspin serve.  I couldn't even get the ball in play in most cases.  Very disappointing, as I value my return game as highly as my serve.   Turned out to be a pretty nice fellow and am sure we will meet again on the Thurs. night battlefield.

As I reflect back on my tennis over the past 2 weeks, I'm a tad bummed over my level of play, but am SUPER excited to finally be playing "up" a level despite the fact that I'm getting beat like a redheaded step-child.

Having found a cache of 5.0 type players to work with will likely speed your growth though. Assuming they are patient enough.

[Jamesdster]

Another less than splendid outing this evening, tho' I did get to hit with another solid 5.0 player.

We hit some singles warmup, and he destroyed me 6-3.  It wasn't even really that close.  He was very consistent which just highlighted my lack of mobility.  To top it off, I didn't serve very well, consistently.  Shades of greatness-  coming back from down love 40 to win coupled with 6 service winners-  combined with some atrocious return games thanks to his heavy topspin serve.  I couldn't even get the ball in play in most cases.  Very disappointing, as I value my return game as highly as my serve.   Turned out to be a pretty nice fellow and am sure we will meet again on the Thurs. night battlefield.

As I reflect back on my tennis over the past 2 weeks, I'm a tad bummed over my level of play, but am SUPER excited to finally be playing "up" a level despite the fact that I'm getting beat like a redheaded step-child.

Hey, 6-3 against a 5.0 is nothing to sneeze at.  It's a good sign that you aren't satisfied with that.

[OSU Buckeye]

Played some dubs tonight and my string of poor play continues.
No control of my serve, dumping easy volleys and overheads.  I did manage to hit a few spectacular BH slice returns, but I blew twice as many against servers I'm usually cash money on>   Am going to chalk this bad spell up to lack of sleep the past week or so.  Hoping for a good outing tomorrow evening when I sub into a group with the local club pros.

As someone who knows a lot about not sleeping properly, let me tell you that can have a HUGE impact on your tennis game, job performance, you name it.  I think that is one of the ingredients causing my occasional dizzy spells.  It's bad enough sitting behind a desk all day when you aren't well rested, but to race after a short ball....fuhgettaboutit!

I'm convinced that is part of the problem with my mind/body disconnection.  Until recently I had been making progress in focusing on the ball, relaxing, and staying in the moment.  I felt like I was recognizing, reacting, and recovering well almost every point.  Lately it seems like my brain isn't even capable of recognizing opponents shots and doing the calculations for my reaction.  Oh well, today was a bit better.

Its quite interesting how we can be aware of what is going on but not really be able to change it while it is happening.  That stuff you talk about recognizing and disconnection is spot on.  Sometimes it is connected and working smoothly and when it is disconnected the tennis just isn't smooth and free.  And, none of that is really controlled by us.........except getting enough sleep and stuff.    You could throw stress levels into that equation of affecting tennis. 

I've never read "The Inner Game of Tennis", I much prefer "Winning Ugly" by Gilbert, but I'm assuming what needs to happen during match play is a complete letting go of any outside influences.  The reason I mention the books is because I think that in the first it's more about acceptance, relaxtion, and disconnecting the mind intentionally in order to let the mind/body function as it's been trained.  What happens in my case is that when my game goes down the tubes my brain starts to overthinkitize whats going on instead of just hitting the freakin' ball to the best of my current ability (which seems to be pretty crappy the past couple weeks).

Inner Game says something along the lines of you having 2 selves, the one that does the stuff and the one that reflects and criticises on what was done and how it was done.   Basically the point is to quiet the part of you that can be overly critical while on the court.   I kind of think of it as letting good tennis flow out of your body.  You train your body to know what to do and where to be and then when playing you just trust that your body knows what to do and how to do it. 

[monstertruck]

A so-so hit with DMast yesterday.  It seemed like nothing got accomplished thanks to my rally killing buddy that hit Canadien Dubs with us.  We did do some mixed dubs with a couple of old ladies that was kinda fun but it really slowed the game down as D and I played cooperatively and the ladies made some o.k. shots.  The final rally time of about 15 min. with D was pretty crappy, by then I was in full-body ache from so much tennis lately.  Legs were still tight, knees were aching, just an overall mess.

10 hours of sleep last night seemed to do the trick.  Had a 2.5 hour practice session with "The Pupil" that went extremely well.  Finally found some rhythem on my groundstrokes and worked hard to get a full shoulder turn on the BH and then take smaller steps to position for the hit.  Hit 30-40 great shots that were under control, excellent pace with minimum effort, there is hope!
Took some serves after my partner left.  Still searching for that effortless motion I had a few months ago....   It was good to just to hit a couple baskets of balls and experiment a bit on the serve.  Only 3 in the net out of 100 as I worked on hitting up & out.  Thanks Pacer!   tho' I did smack myself in the knee again!!!   I had to laugh, because before you mentioned that I had never done it and now I've done it twice in less than a week!!!

I also experimented with a Fischer racquet strung with Live Wire.  Holy Poop on A Stick, talk about power!  I'd forgotten what a sacrifice I made in the pace dept. when I switched to the PS 85's.

[Pacer]

Yeah it sucks when your timing goes, it makes it no fun I always try to look at what I did the previous day that may have something to do with the bad timing. Sometimes it can be stress, lack of sleep, something you ate etc... So I always take note of those things. Another thing that prevents me from having those off days more often is meditation. I know that allot of people think meditation is silly but it really does improve your focus,awareness, keeps you calm and centered. Those few things can work wonders for your game and prevent you from having allot of off days.

[monstertruck]

Early to bed works for me most times.
Also singing on the way to the courts seems to clear my mind and set it up for good times!

[monstertruck]

An excellent outing yesterday with some very good players. 
My serve is slowly improving as I focus on keeping the left arm up as long as possible.  Once I got good and hot near the end of the 2nd set I was able to hit with considerable pace and accuracy.  I even blasted a game point ace out wide in the ad court against a solid 5.0.  That is generally my least accurate/consistent serve, but I visualized it prior to the toss and actually made the shot.  Of course this was accompanied by the Monster Truck roar which players have come to fear in this neck o' the woods.   Sometimes......

I also managed to hit some nice angled half-volleys as 5.0 was kind enough to ease up just enough on his returns so I could stay in the point.  Super nice guy!  I'm looking forward to hitting with the big boys again tonight!!!  Maybe by the end of next year I'll be one of the "Big Boys".