Week 5
Week 5
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Week 5

July 7-13

With Dru away, Coach Cam and I focused on intense, targeted training this week. Major breakthrough on my backhand drive—finally relaxing my technique and letting momentum flow through the shot. We fixed my kitchen game by addressing those frustrating defensive dinks I kept dumping into the net. The drive-and-drop drills are paying off, though I'm still working on kitchen patience and recognizing when to add spin versus playing safe. My backhand is transforming from liability to weapon!

Brad Douglas

July 12, 2025

Focus Areas

DropsForehand DriveBackhand DriveKitchen Game

What I Worked On

This week was just Cam and me with Dru away, which meant intense, focused training with minimal breaks. We drilled heavily on my forehand and backhand drives, with significant breakthroughs on the backhand side. After struggling initially, Cam helped me relax my technique—dropping the paddle head earlier, using my core to initiate the swing, and letting momentum carry through the shot. The progression from static drills to baseline-to-baseline exchanges transformed my backhand from a weakness to a potential weapon. We also worked extensively on my kitchen game, particularly addressing my defensive dinks that I'd been dumping into the net. The key adjustments were reducing my backswing, following through completely, and maintaining a stable, cocked wrist. Our drive-and-drop drills helped integrate these skills into game-like scenarios, with the goal of reaching the kitchen 80-85% of the time. I'm still working on patience at the kitchen line and recognizing when to add topspin versus simply pushing the ball over to reach neutral position.

What I Learned

Backhand Drive

This one is finally starting to click.

  • Cam had me exaggerate dropping my paddle head earlier and using my core to initiate the swing
  • Letting the paddle head whip through with a brushing technique made all the difference
  • Moving into my shot was challenging at first—I kept tensing up and stopping short
  • Once I allowed my momentum to carry through, it both improved my positioning for the next ball AND made my hits more consistent
  • After countless reps and practicing the motion at home without a paddle (looking like a crazy person), this is becoming a shot I can rely on—maybe even one I'll seek out

Kitchen Game

My defensive dinks are finally improving:

  • The breakthrough came when Cam spotted I was taking too big a backswing and stopping my follow-through
  • Reducing backswing, following through like I'm tossing the ball over the net, and keeping my wrist fully cocked and stable (scoop style) dramatically improved consistency
  • Waiting a split second longer before hitting has been a mental shift that's helping all my kitchen shots
  • Still working on disguising speed-ups and dinks on the backhand side—not quite there yet, but I can see the potential
  • Need more patience and better setup shots—I still attack too early instead of rolling or pushing something aggressive to set up an easier ball

Drive and Drop

This felt like the biggest improvement of the week.

  • We're aiming to reach the kitchen 80-85% of the time right now
  • After all our drive work, the transition drills really showed progress—drives felt comfortable and drops were consistent
  • I noticed I tend to either get lazy on drops after a drive or try too much (excessive topspin, ambitious placement)
  • Need to recognize when to add topspin versus simply pushing it over to reach neutral
  • The cross-court hybrid drop (or "Drip" as Cam calls it) feels like a game-changer—same setup as a backhand drive but with a slower swing targeting cross court
  • This keeps opponents guessing and gives me more options depending on what's happening on the other side

What Still Needs Work

  • Forehand Drive Relaxation: While my shoulder is feeling better, I still need to work on staying relaxed through my forehand to generate that effortless whip motion for power. Too often I'm muscling the shot instead of letting technique do the work.
  • Patience at the Kitchen: I'm still attacking too early instead of setting up points with strategic rolls or pushes. When I do show restraint, I typically get back something easier to attack, but my instinct is still to go for winners prematurely.
  • Drop Shot Consistency: After drives, I tend to either get lazy on my drops or try too much (excessive topspin, ambitious placement). Need to develop better recognition of when to add topspin versus simply pushing it over to reach neutral position.
  • Defensive Dinks: While improving, I still struggle with consistency on dinks when the ball gets behind me or outside my body. Need to continue focusing on reduced backswing and complete follow-through in these situations.

Win of the Week

During a skinny singles point, I ripped a drive down the middle that my opponent could only block back through the transition zone. Seeing my opportunity, I executed a perfect scoop-style drop that landed softly in the kitchen, then hustled to the non-volley line. This is where weeks of deliberate practice finally clicked. I loaded up what looked like a forehand speed-up, holding the pose just long enough to see Dru rise up in anticipation of the speed-up. At the last possible moment, I changed pace completely and rolled a dink right at his feet. The ball barely cleared the net with just enough spin to die on contact. Caught completely off-balance, he could only watch as his return dumped straight into the net.

That disguised attack we'd been working on finally translated to a real point. Small victory, but I'll take it.

What's Next

Taking a family vacation next week! The timing feels bittersweet—just as my backhand is finally clicking and kitchen game improving, I'm stepping away from the court. But honestly, the mental reset might be exactly what I need to let these new skills solidify. Plus, nothing beats quality time with the family. I'll be back hungrier than ever to pick up where we left off.