I’ve been home for 10 days and I can now claim that I am officially back on the health wagon. My food (particularly dessert) consumption is much less reckless and my activity level is back on track. In fact, I’ve started playing tennis again.
I played in high school and some in college (the first attempt) and have played off and on throughout random phases since then. Most recently, I’ve been meeting my “co-worker”, Charlie, at the tennis courts in our neighborhood. Coincidentally, he lives just around the corner from me. We’ve played three times so far and we’re a pretty close match.
We had a couple racket mishaps the first day, but we’re both no real problems since then.
Since this is my pool blog, here is the part where I relate my tennis experience to pool (there are actually many parallels):
- I couldn’t help but to notice when I would miss a ball and it would catch the edge of my racket, well, that’s sort of like a miscue. And, like a miscue, it was due to a poor stroke (or swing, in this case).
- When serving, the perfect toss is everything. If you swing at something you don’t like or aren’t 100% committed to, that’s the same as breaking the balls before you’re ready, not contacting the rack squarely and losing energy on the cue ball; all of which are not good.
- The grip – this one I would need more professional feedback on, but I’ve been working on finding the perfect balance between not having a death grip, but not having such a loose grip that the racket can be knocked from my hand.
- Keeping an even tempo and not rushing. Unlike pool, the tennis ball is not stationary and will not stay suspended in midair until I’m ready to strike it. However, when playing at my very amateur level, the ball is coming at a moderate enough speed that I have plenty of time to deliver a smooth, deliberate stroke (er, swing, rather) and follow through properly. When I don’t, I usually hit it way out.
- Crowding the ball. And likewise, if I rush or don’t deliver a nice, smooth swing, I end up crowding the ball and, just like pool, it’s nearly impossible to deliver a smooth, fluid stroke or swing when everything is too close together.
- Spin – if I do it, it’s unintentional. Both games have it. You can get away with not using it. It requires instruction and much practice to master.
Next on the list: GOLF. I’m trading pool lessons for golf lessons today. Like tennis, I also played some in high school and a couple times since. I’ve always believed I could be a pretty decent golfer with the right direction. I’m looking forward to swinging a golf club again.
Happy a safe and happy one!
Alternate serve or winner break?