Hitting at Waist/Chest Level?

[cukoo]

How do pros consistently hit the ball at waist/chest level? How do I stop heavy topspin shots from bouncing over my head forcing me to either 1)take a low-percentage/awkward swing at the ball at head level or 2) retreat all the way behind the baseline...

[Lotto]

Footwork, it's all about your footwork. You need to move your feet quickly and get into good positions. On the heavy topspin balls try taking them early and don't give them a chance to rise to high! Good luck.

[Seifersquall1]

Hit the ball on the rise. Retreating all the way behind the baseline is a bad idea because you can't hit them early so you'll let a lot topspin balls bounce high.

[samster]

Either move in and take it early or move back and let the ball drop a little. Unless you have impeccable timing, taking it early can be challenging.

[WildVolley]

Agassi, one of the masters at taking a ball on the rise, had strokes with a very compact backswing. Against a heavy-topspin hitter, you're going to need to be very aggressive if you're going to step up and take the ball on the rise.

Your other possibility is to back up and wait for the balls to come back down. If you're playing a topspin player who is hitting deep, he's going to push you back against the fence and you'll likely give him angles to work you all over the court.

[raiden031]

If you play with a SW or western grip you will have an easier time handling high balls because of a higher strike zone. I guess the downside is that you might have a harder time with low bouncing slice balls.

[Rickson]

How do pros consistently hit the ball at waist/chest level? How do I stop heavy topspin shots from bouncing over my head forcing me to either 1)take a low-percentage/awkward swing at the ball at head level or 2) retreat all the way behind the baseline...

You just answered your own question. You can't stand inside the baseline during rallies. Not even the most aggressive baseliner in tennis did that (Agassi). If you don't want to stand 6 feet behind the line, that's one thing, but to stay inside the baseline during rallies is a rookie mistake. You'll often see beginners doing this because they don't have the power in their strokes to even reach the baseline, but standing inside the baseline is one practice that should be thrown out with the trash.

[Determined]

I'm pretty sure everyone knows what he's talking about when he means retreat all the way behind the baseline. I interpretted it as going back far enough to almsot hit the fence.

[user92626]

cukoo askes a good question, and if I may add a question to this, which may or may not answer cukoo's.

Is it advisable to try volley, instead of an out of place FH, with a head or shoulder-height ball????

[Nellie]

Also, with a looping ground stroke, you can often run around to hit a good forehand. Most people far prefer hitting a high forehand to a high backhard (unless you got a good 2 hander)

[SalParadise17]

Also, with a looping ground stroke, you can often run around to hit a good forehand. Most people far prefer hitting a high forehand to a high backhard (unless you got a good 2 hander)

Just like to mention my high OHBH pwns :), don't know about the rest of you but I prefer them high because of the semi western grip (I always assumed that was the only grip anyone used for a one hander(and western of course)).


Anyways, if you start practicing taking balls on the rise it will really help you. You will always find players who are trying to overpower you, but if you can learn your timing and hit them on the rise you can really neutralize some of their topspin. Look at revolutionarytennis.com for help with that(look at Federer Vision Technique). Also, important note for hitting on the rise, get your racket face angled down SLIGHTLY more, and try to not hit the ball as hard, you should be using that upward momentum to redirect a ball without too much effort on your part. As long as you have practice with it, a good paced, incoming, high bouncing ball can be a gift (as long as you're in position).

Sal

[ericwong]

Footwork, it's all about your footwork. You need to move your feet quickly and get into good positions. On the heavy topspin balls try taking them early and don't give them a chance to rise to high! Good luck.


I would also like to add one thing to that:- able to judge the pace of the ball, be it slow and loppy, fast and low etc.

Able to read the shots and react with good footwork get you in a good position to hit it out.

[rodtennis3]

nice question ive always had this trouble ima use these tips thanks