What’s a Good Miss?

I’ve heard you often refer to a lost point as “a good miss”?  Why, you still lost the point!?

It’s understandable that you might question the idea of a “good miss” since losing a point is never ideal. However, the concept of a “good miss” is rooted in strategic thinking and risk management in tennis.

Statistics from Tennis Analytics show that hitting the ball into the net is one of the most common errors in tennis.  If you study the table below, two lightbulb moments will jump out at you:

1.  The vast majority of points, at any level of the game, are lost (typically 90% of points are lost!), and

2.  Over 40% of those errors result from hitting the ball into the net.

By avoiding this FUNDAMENTAL error of hitting the ball into the net, players increase their chances of winning the point. Therefore, a “good miss” refers to a shot that does not result in a net error but may still end up out of  court.

By aiming to avoid the net and hitting with margin, players can reduce the risk of making unforced errors and increase their chances of winning the point.  Moreover, they give the opposition a change to miss and make an error.

Of course, a shot that lands in the ideal location is always the goal, but it’s not always achievable. In those situations, a “good miss” can be a strategic and effective approach to minimize mistakes.

In summary, a “good miss” is not about celebrating a lost point, but rather a strategy to minimize unforced errors and increase the likelihood of winning the point, and the match, in the long run.