Week 15

This week was all about getting back to fundamentals. Tuesday and Thursday we hammered drives relentlessly—both backhand and forehand—with Cam putting us through brutal footwork drills that exposed just how much conditioning I still need. Starting at the centerline and having to sprint wide for each shot then reset back to center had my legs burning, but it's exactly what I need to level up.

By Friday morning, something clicked with my backhand drive—finally feeling like it could become a weapon.

We also worked on a completely new skill: forehand attacks against opponents that are in the transition zone. The big windup, body shift, and stroke all felt foreign—but when I connected right, it was electric. Definitely a work in progress, but I can see the potential.

The kitchen game is feeling solid, but I'm still learning when to apply pressure versus concede position. Those split-second decisions make all the difference between 3.5 and where I'm trying to go.

• Footwork & Positioning: Those centerline drills exposed a harsh truth—my conditioning and footwork need serious work. I'm not getting into position quickly enough, especially when the pace picks up. When I compare my movement to Cam's tennis-honed footwork, the gap is obvious. Need to focus on bringing my momentum through the ball instead of stopping and swinging.
• Decision-Making Under Pressure: I'm still hesitating on when to apply pressure versus concede the kitchen. Those split-second choices are what separate 3.5 from where I want to be. I can see the opportunities developing, but executing with confidence in real points remains inconsistent.

I had several solid moments this week—executed a clean Ernie against Cam, won some intense hands battles with both Cam and Dru, and executed some deceptive dinks that set up clean put-aways.

But the standout moment came during our Drive and Drop session. After hitting a drive at Dru, he blocked it back to the transition zone. Without hesitation, I moved forward and delivered a backhand drive just over the net that he couldn't handle.

What made this special wasn't just winning the point—it was the feeling of complete confidence in my movement and shot selection. No second-guessing, no hesitation—just fluid execution exactly where and how I intended. Those rare moments of clarity are what keep me coming back for more.

Next week I'm diving deep into baseline play and resets. These high-volume, repetition-focused baseline drills are proving invaluable for someone like me without a racket sport background. The brutal grind is exactly what I need to build those movement patterns from scratch.