Week 18

Monday started with our usual kitchen games, but I came in with a specific focus this week: taking balls out of the air. I've been struggling with when to pluck them versus when to push for offense. Too often I get complacent during dinking rallies and mishit these shots.

But making this a deliberate focus point paid off—I felt more control and better placement, actually creating offense instead of just surviving points.

Wednesday and Thursday were intense. We drilled baseline footwork (those gritty, repetitive drills I weirdly love from my youth sports days), transition zone resets, and those low-to-high brush shots that Cam keeps correcting me on. My issue? Not dropping my paddle head and relaxing my wrist during the swing. Once I felt it though, the shot started coming—still a work in progress, but we're addressing it.

Thursday we focused on drips, minimizing backswing while accelerating through the ball. That transition zone drill where I couldn't back up forced me to develop touch on short hops under pressure. Raw, uncomfortable, but exactly what I needed.

• 4ths: I'm still struggling with those low-to-high brush shots Cam pointed out. The issue is clear - I'm not dropping my paddle head enough and my wrist stays too tight during the swing. It's coming along, but definitely a work in progress.
• Taking Balls Out of the Air: While I made this a focus point and saw improvement, I still catch myself getting complacent during dinking rallies. Those mishits happen when I lose concentration or get too comfortable in the exchange. Need to maintain that deliberate focus throughout entire games.
• Short-Hop Touch: Thursday's drills exposed this weakness. When forced to take balls on short hops in the transition zone without backing up, my touch isn't consistent enough yet. I can feel the improvement starting, but it's raw and uncomfortable - exactly what I need to keep working on.

My backhand drives, drops, and drips have transformed completely. All those grueling baseline drills Cam's been hammering us with are finally clicking—and the payoff is real. My backhand has evolved from a liability into a weapon I can trust.

I used to tense up whenever I saw a ball coming to my backhand side. Now? I actually welcome it. Returns, transition shots, kitchen battles—doesn't matter. That uncomfortable, awkward feeling has been replaced with confidence and control.

The footwork, the preparation, the follow-through—it's all becoming second nature rather than a mechanical checklist. Still raw in moments, still learning, but the progress is undeniable.

Next week we're diving deeper into transition zone defense and those critical 4th/6th shots. I'm focused on adding pace and spin when the opportunity presents itself, but more importantly—learning when to use each tool. Those low-to-high brush shots still need work, and my wrist tension isn't helping. Raw truth? This is the uncomfortable zone where growth happens, and I'm here for it.