Week 21

I'm back. After rehab, sick season, and life getting in the way, I'm finally hitting a regular cadence again. Dru and I made a call: more games, less drilling — at least for now. We need the reps. Real reps.

This week was about movement, patterns, and finishing. I'm starting to feel more comfortable recognizing what's happening on the court and how to move when I do. My returns are feeling solid — consistent and deep, which is exactly what I'm going for. But here's the frustrating part: I'm starting better but not finishing. We made a huge comeback in one game, then blew 4+ point leads in others. Not sure why yet, but I'm watching it.

The other thing eating at me? Counters. I'm still not recognizing speedups fast enough, and when I do, I'm early because I'm scared to miss — which causes me to miss. But there are moments when I wait that split second longer and generate something clean. That feels great. I just need more of those moments.

• Counters: This is the thing that's eating at me. I'm still not doing a good job recognizing a speedup — and when I do recognize it, I'm early because I'm scared to miss it… which causes me to miss it. But there are times when I wait that split second longer and generate a good counter. That feels great. I just need to find that timing more consistently.
• Two-Handed Game Out of the Air: There were many times this week — after the point — that I realized if I just went with a two-handed counter or attack, I probably would've made things much easier on myself. This just isn't natural for me yet. But neither was the two-handed dink or drive, and now those feel great. So I'm making this a point of focus in drilling sessions.
• Closing Out Games: I'm moving better, starting better, but not finishing. While I did play in a game where we made a huge comeback, I also played in games where we got beat after being up by 4 or more. Not sure why this is yet, but it's something I'm monitoring. Need to figure out how to be a cut stopper — allowing too many sustained runs. Typically unforced errors from our side. During those runs, I need to stay patient, grind it out, and get a side out.
• Middle Balls (Left Side): When playing the left side, I need to be more assertive for those balls in the middle. That's it. No excuses.
• Serves: Feel good, but I'm missing into the net too much. That needs to change.

Not one play or one point — but a feeling. I'm starting to actually understand movement during points. Especially in dinking rallies. When to shade the line. When to cover the middle. When to hold. When to shift.

It's not automatic yet, but for the first time, it's not just reaction — it's recognition. And that feels like real progress.

Next week is all about more games and intentional drilling. Dru and I are each bringing one thing we want to work on to our drilling session — no scattered focus, just deliberate reps on what matters most. For me, that's probably two-handed counters and attacks out of the air. Intention is the name of the game.