You can win 6 out of 8 but the two losses mean the most.
Some days on the court feel like a battle, others like a lesson. This session? A bit of both.
Two hours. Eight games. Decent pace. Plenty of takeaways.
At the start, everything felt crisp—the movement, the defense, the offensive pressure. But by the fifth game, something shifted. The opponents adjusted, targeting me more directly, forcing quick decisions, and capitalizing on small missteps.
And then, there was the one that stung. Up 10-4, and still lost.
So, what happened? Where did things fall apart? More importantly, what lessons came out of it?
The Highs & Lows of Play
Physically, everything felt great—fluid movement, solid core defense, and confident shot execution. The aggressive sequences were on point, and blocking and net play felt sharp. But one thing stood out:
“Where was the dinking?”
Dinking never really became a factor in these games. The pace stayed fast, and opponents weren’t forcing slow play. When the rhythm is built around speed-ups and countering, it’s easy to get caught up in that flow instead of dictating the game on your own terms.
But the biggest issue? Closing out games.
“How do you go from 10-4 to losing a game?”
It wasn’t about skill—it was about discipline in key moments. Winning in that situation isn’t about making the best shot every time; it’s about making sure you don’t give your opponents the window to claw back in.
Tactical Adjustments & Key Observations
1. Poaching & Positioning Issues
I was poaching early but not always cleanly. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it threw off my partner’s rhythm. If the timing isn’t right, a poach that should be aggressive turns into a misstep that leaves too much court open.
The jump poach was working, but only if my partner was reading the movement. If not, it just became a wasted effort & overly aggressive.
“If you’re going to poach, commit. If your partner doesn’t read it, talk about it. Don’t just assume they’ll adjust.”
2. Transition Play & Hesitation
Strangely, offensive pressure wasn’t the problem—it was the moments in between.
Hesitation crept in when handling pop-ups and defensive resets, leading to awkward transitions instead of smooth recoveries.
The solution? Trusting the hands and keeping positioning disciplined—no drifting, no second-guessing.
“If you hesitate, you’re already late.”
But doesn’t mean it’s over!
3. Opponent Weaknesses & Wasted Opportunities
Most opponents had weak backhand rolls—forcing high dinks should have been an easy way to control points. But when those setups weren’t finished, the opportunity was lost.
This brought up a bigger question:
“What’s the point of forcing a weak return if no one is capitalizing on it?”
A good shot is only good if it leads to something. If the team isn’t ready to finish what’s started, it’s just neutral play disguised as offense.
Strategic Breakdown of Partner & Opponent Play
Dan’s Tactical Missteps
Dan spent five games sending the ball to Craig, no matter the situation. Not a bad plan—if Craig was’t converting.
But he was.
Though Craig , instead of stepping in and applying pressure, he was backing up, keeping the game neutral when it should have been aggressive.
Even so, we were still converting enough points to stay in games. The takeaway? Adjustments matter, but sometimes, you have to make the most out of imperfect play.
Opponent Adjustments
By the later games, opponents were:
- Avoiding direct play (not engaging in battles they couldn’t win).
It was frustrating. But should it have been?
“If opponents are adjusting their play, isn’t that just good strategy?”
Maybe. But there’s a fine line between smart strategy and playing to avoid competition.
The Frustration of Avoidance Play
Here’s the part that felt less like competition and more like maneuvering—opponents actively avoided playing me.
I get it. In a tournament, you do what it takes to win. But in a competitive, private game meant for development?
“If I’m here to be challenged, and you’re here to avoid challenge, are we even playing the same game?”
When games turn into who can avoid risk better, it stops being about competition and starts being about stalling for a win.
And then, there’s the worst part—trash talk from the same players who wouldn’t engage in direct play.
Breaking Down the Final Games
Game Five: The 10-4 Collapse
This was the moment where a good session turned into a frustrating one.
Momentum was on our side. Then hesitation crept in. Instead of closing, we started playing to avoid mistakes.
Lesson learned: Momentum shifts happen, but you have to be the one controlling them.
Game Eight: DQ
Hindsight? Shouldn’t have played it. Mentally, I was already out of the session.
Sometimes, the best move is to wrap up before frustration overtakes development.
“Quality over quantity. Always.”
Key Takeaways & Personal Reflection
1. The Need for Quality Repetitions
Losing isn’t the issue. Losing without meaningful touches is.
Winning easy matches means nothing. Playing competitive matches—even if they’re losses—means everything.
Going forward, the priority will be finding high-quality matchups over just logging court time.
2. Endurance & Physical Readiness
Physically, the body felt great. Could’ve played four hours straight.
But…
If the reps aren’t valuable, it’s just wasted energy.
3. The Need for More Dinking
If dinking never enters the equation, the game is incomplete.
Drive battles can be fun. But if a game doesn’t have drops, soft play, and controlled resets, it’s just a highlight reel, not real strategy.
Final Thought on Competitive Growth
At the end of the day, the frustration wasn’t losing—it was stagnation.
If opponents are afraid to engage, if partners aren’t capitalizing on key plays, and if the game feels like avoidance rather than competition, then the development isn’t happening.
“Winning because you avoided playing someone isn’t a real win.”
Going forward, the focus is clear:
- Better quality matchups.
- More intentional play.
- Avoiding games where competition is dodged rather than embraced.
Because the best games aren’t just about winning—they’re about becoming a better player.
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