ROBO-COACH
What Style Should You Play?
By: Richard McAfee
USATT Certified National Coach

There are three key areas that you should look at when developing your own style:

1. What are your strongest strokes? Styles are built around getting a player’s strengths into the game as quickly and as often as possible.
2. What are your physical characteristics? Different styles require different physical abilities in order to perform at the highest level.
3. What style(s) do you enjoy playing? You will not be successful with your game unless you enjoy the style you are playing.

Once you have identified your best shots, try matching up your strengths with those listed on the style descriptions found on the “Modern Styles Articles”, on this website. You will probably find at least two possible matches. Then ask yourself which of the two styles would be the most fun for you to play.

Finally, look at the physical requirements of each style. To do this, first rate yourself in the following areas:

Foot-speed	How fast can you move around the court?
Hand-speed	How quick are your hand-to-ball movements?
Leg-strength	How strong are your legs?
Power	How explosive are your movements and strokes?
Stomach Strength	What condition is your mid-section in?
Balance	When moving fast, how well do you keep your balance?
Emotional Level	How high is your natural emotional level when competing?

Give yourself one of the following ratings in each category: low, medium, medium-high, or high. Now compare yourself to the following table and see how you match up with your style requirements.

STYLE	FOOT SPEED	HAND SPEED	LEG STRENGTH	POWER	BALANCE	STOMACH	EMOTION
Hitter-Penholder	High	High	Med-high	High	High	High	High
Hitter-Shakehands	High	High	Med-high	High	High	High	High
Attacker-Looper	Med-high	High	Med-high	High	Med-high	High	High
Mid-Distance Looper	Med	Med	High	Med	Med-high	Med	Med-high
Close-Table-Defense	Low	Med-high	Low	Med	Low	Med	Med-high
Attacking Chopper	High	Low	High	Med-high	High	Med-high	Med
Counter-Driver	Med	Med-high	Med	Low	Med	Low	Med
All-Round Attacker	Med-high	Med	Med	Med-high	Med	Med	Low

If you match up well with your style, great! If not, then you need to work on improving your physical level in the category that you are weak in.

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