(By Larry Hodges)

Let’s face it; they’re probably faster than you. They might have a coach working with them regularly and in their corner in a match. They often have near perfect strokes, thanks to that coach. They strive in super-fast rallies, the type where your game starts to crumble.

So . . . what to do?

The real problem most players have with playing kids is that they don’t play them regularly and aren’t used to playing them. It’s like any other style that you don’t play regularly. If you don’t play long pips somewhat regularly, you will likely struggle against them in a match. If you don’t player strong loopers somewhat regularly, you will likely struggle against them in a match. If you don’t play kids somewhat regularly, you will struggle against them.

If you play them regularly, then you will soon learn and become comfortable playing them. You have many advantages, number one being experience. But guess what? If you don’t play kids regularly, then you aren’t experienced against them, and you lose that advantage. Ironically, they may have more experience playing adults then you have playing against kids!

So, what are your advantages over kids? They do not all play the same and there’s no one thing that will work for certain, but in general:

1. They have shorter reach, and so cannot cover the corners as well.
2. They have trouble against shorter balls, especially short to the forehand.
3. They do not react to changes in spin very well.
4. They have trouble attacking heavy backspin.
5. They are not good in slower rallies, such as against backspin or soft, deep topspins.
6. They do not have as much power to end the point against high balls, especially lobs.
7. They do not vary their serves very well.
8. They have trouble if you vary your serve a lot.
9. They are not experienced in adjusting their tactics to you.
10. They play predictably.
11. They are more emotional and often play poorly under pressure, or when they can’t play their normal bang-bang games.

That’s eleven things to get you started, enough to win the first game, 11-0! But the key is to be aware of these potential weaknesses, and then play kids until you get used to them. Then you will lose your fear of those little tykes!

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