Quote:
Originally Posted by Strange Famous
whats the main difference between a good "club level" player an someone who's been at an elite level?
I recently played tennis against someone (a girl) who up until 15 was in the UK elite tennis programme - but she dropped out at abou that age... so she isnt a world ranked player or anything but up until 15 she was playing people (and sometimes beating) who are now top 100/top 200 players.
I half expected to be massacred, but I wasnt (althouh I did lose)...
The things I noticed were
I hit the ball harder
I served harder (although a lot less accurate)
She hit the ball with masses of spin, especially the serve
She got balls that I didnt think she would - without being especially quick she saw my drop shots as I shaped to play them rather than reacting to them
She didnt hit a lot more winners than me, but she retrieved shots that I hit that would be winners against anyone else
Now, Im not naive enough that I dont think that she wasnt probably going all out (and also she hasnt played a lot in the last few years) - but one thing Ive always been curious about is how hard a pro hits the ball - and she said compared to male players she trained with at 15/16 I serve and hit my forehand as hard as a pro would, but with a massive amount less control. The thing is when I go for my first serve with everything I get it in about 1/10 times, and when I do I dont really have any control of even whether it goes forehand or backhand side... but at least its fast! I dont have a backhand at all - just a block or an apologetic slice, but when the ball sits up nicely and I lace it I hit my forehand pretty hard cross court (but very clumsy playing down the line or inside out)
So... as a question for other people who play sport at a "good" level, have you ever played someone who is professional level, and if so what differences did you see?
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I have an experience similar as yours playing Volley with my gymn Teacher at High School. He was an Olympic Class Volley player (not the brightest but he went to the Olympic game!), maybe a little aged respect when he was on top, but he wasn't so super-human as expected. He did not jumped at wall 1m or things like that, his spikes was strong as mine, more or less, maybe with a little of effects mor but a LOT of precision.
He only knew what to take, when and where directioning it. In fact he wasn't super-human strong, only experienced a lot. Our Student All Star team vs Professor team couldn't stand a chance: every point in his hands was, sooner or later, a point. Even without spiking he knew how to let us uncover and put the ball when no-one was expecting.
I also played with a Italian A class Soccer Player when he played in a minor team, it was literally unstoppable. He was a very physic player, usual black-guy relying on muscle and strenght instead of technique, but simply was like seeing Mark Lenders of Holly and Benji cartoon passing straight through the defencers as bowling bowling ball through pins...
He was not particulary skilled: he knowed his deal and the tactics, how and when to move, recieve and pass the ball, but he wasn't particulary experienced or talented in order to embarass us all with threat-you-as-a-dumb-with-so-obvious-moves, but his physical skills was outstanding.
I'm feeling so old talking about my youthness sports... I must find some sporty hobby
