Coach Samson Dubina US National Team Coach 4x USATT Coach of the Year
 

To see this website as it was intended, please update to a modern browser!

-->

Predicting the Future

Learn to win by thinking ahead!!!

 
 
 
 
I have been told that the Chinese players can think 8 shots in advance.  When they serve a particular serve, they can anticipate the next ball.  They have an idea of what they will do next, then next, then next.  I’m not going to suggest that you plan that much in advance; however, I would like for you to think at least 1 shot in advance.  In this article, I’m going to describe you as a 1800-2200 level 2-wing looper playing against your opponent who is another average 1800-2200 level 2-wing looper.  I’m going to outline your basic serves and give likely probabilities of the returns.  (Please note: the probability will depend greatly on the quality of your serve, the confidence of your opponent, the type of rubber used, and other situations.)
 
 
You serve long backspin
80% of the time, your opponent will loop
15% of the time, your opponent will push long
5% of the time, your opponent will smash, lob, push short, or other returns
 
 
You serve long topspin
70% of the time, your opponent will loop or smash
20% of the time, your opponent will block
10% of the time, your opponent will lob, push short, push long, or other returns
 
 
You serve long no-spin or sidespin
60% of the time, your opponent will loop
20% of the time, your opponent will push long
20% of the time, your opponent will smash, lob, push short, or other returns
 
You serve short backspin
50% of the time, your opponent will push long
30% of the time, your opponent will push short
20% of the time, your opponent will flip, smash, lob, or other returns
 
 
You serve short topspin
80% of the time, your opponent will flip or smash
15% of the time, your opponent will push long
5% of the time, your opponent will push short, lob, or other returns
 
 
You serve short no-spin or sidespin
50% of the time, your opponent will flip
30% of the time, your opponent will push long
20% of the time, your opponent will push short, lob, or other returns
 
 
Once you can serve and have a general idea of the possible returns, it is then time to start thinking to yourself WHAT’s NEXT after that? 
After you push short to the middle, what might likely come next?
After you loop to the wide forehand, what might likely come next?
After you counterloop to the middle, what might likely come next?
After you smash to the wide backhand, what might likely come next?

Category: