"Think Like a Motivated Adversary"

"Think like a motivated adversary," steals from a chapter of Micah Zenko's Red Team. 

Revert to Sun Tzu's (and Bill Belichick's) "Attack weaknesses, utilize strengths." 

1. "Every day is player development day." Great players make great coaches. The more a coach can develop players, the better off. 

2. "Don't major in the minors." Be good at what you do a lot. Every point begins with either serve or serve receive. Math works. The higher the ratio of aces to serve receive errors, the better your chances. Anticipate being challenged by the best servers on the best teams with jump float serves, topspin serves, and outside lane serves. 

3. "Adjust." Do more of what works and less of what doesn't. Darwin preached adaptability not fitness. Ambitious teams prepare to fight the lions and tigers and adjust to the dogs and cats. 

Play present. Stay current. Don't fight the previous battle. 

• The top teams have powerful outside hitting that has to be slowed.
• The best teams don't give away points. "Get me over" hits like free balls and down balls have to be high probability. 
• Stop the momentum. Resilience prevents snowballs. 

Lagniappe. Down ball hitting...an 'overlooked skill'.

 
 

Lagniappe 2. Make friends with Pythagoras in the deep corner.