How do I beat this?

[IceBlue]

Hey guys,

What is a good strategy to beat a player who runs around his forehand a lot? He can hit his forehand really hard and flat and it is hard for me to get used to the pace. (Plus he is a southpaw.) I want to hit to his backhand because it is not nearly as good, but he gives a very small area to hit to and will give up nearly the entire court to hit his big forehand. Any tips would be appreciated--thanks! :wink:

[Max G.]

Hit wide to his forehand once to open up the backhand side, maybe?

[Trey]

Hit wide to his forehand once to open up the backhand side, maybe?

or hit wide to his backhand and if he runs around it he has a wide open forehand court open. But if he is any good he will hit an inside out forehand to your backhand so the down the line shot for you would be lower percentage.

Try seeing what kind of shots are not dependable returning with his forehand: moonballs, dink shots, ect.

[perfmode]

According to Brad Gilbert, you should hit wide to the forehand, then swing to his backhand.

The only thing he will hate more than hitting a backhand is a RUNNING BACKHAND.

[devwizard]

Try to work in some good angle wide on his forehand side. Maybe use a slice or even a drop shot as a means for opening up a shot to his backhand. Be careful though, to not get too lazy and let him get back into position where he can just rip another forehand. Just move in and use that wide open court you have created from the angle to make him run hard to get that backhand, and hit it early (maybe a volley or another angle) to keep him moving.

[Hedges]

Perfmode and devwizard suggestions are excellent.

Also, ask him some technical questions about his forehand...maybe about how big a loop he uses on his backswing ;-)