hitting with pace and landing short

[bbbbbb]

how would you go about doing this if you watch pros on approach shots they still hit realitivly hard but the ball takes its first bounce in the service box how would you do this hit flatter or hit with so much spin it drops that early

[jmverdugo]

It really despends on the situation and how high is the ball you are about to hit, but in general Pros hit with a lot of spin. If we are talking about a bal net high I would go with lots of topspin.

[fuzz nation]

It's often a mistake if an approach shot bounces that short in your opponent's court. I'll approach with topspin only occasionally when it keeps my opponent on the run, but I typically look to move in behind a slice approach that lands deep in the back box and skids low. That keeps an opponent back on their heels with the ball below their strike zone so they can't tee off on a passing attempt, but the slower travel of the slice also gives me an extra fraction of a second to set up at the net. Remember that if your opponent can get to your topspin shot, it will be coming back at you sooner than a slice.

The pros aren't really hitting those shots too hard, at least in relative terms. They're just taking a full "whup" at the ball to get good spin on it in the same way that you or I would need to take a full swipe at a second serve to hit it with lots of spin.

[larry10s]

the balls that land short are hit with more topspin the deeper balls are hit flatter. as for the above^^^^^^^ i find a slice approach that lands around the service line and is about to take the second bounce around the baseline to be very effective. the player has to really dig it out and hit up on it. giving an easier volley. the deep approach they expect and it "comes to them" try the short approach and see how your results are. the deep appraoch is classic tennis and correct

[badboy]

the balls that land short are hit with more topspin the deeper balls are hit flatter. as for the above^^^^^^^ i find a slice approach that lands around the service line and is about to take the second bounce around the baseline to be very effective. the player has to really dig it out and hit up on it. giving an easier volley. the deep approach they expect and it "comes to them" try the short approach and see how your results are. the deep appraoch is classic tennis and correct

Totally agree with you. Approach shots landed around service line are more effective than the deep ones, as the other guys can't use its pace to counterpunch and produce an effective passing shot, esp they are on the run.

:twisted:

[Sublime]

I think it's a combination of a little less pace, more topspin, and aimed closer to the net cord.

The whole point of that shot is to turn the tables on the net rusher. The opponent has obviously hit a good approach shot. If they hadn't you'd just go for the passing shot. You're trying to get a reply that puts you in a better position to hit the passing shot.

[LeeD]

I don't know....
At 3.5 levels, a shorter approach can work to throw off the timing of the guy at the baseline.
At 4.5 and above, a deep approach, at least within 3' off the baseline, is needed to offset the extra power of the better players, as they can tee off on low, shin high balls as easily as any other heights.
At above 5.5 levels, not only do you have to make them run, hit within 3' of the baseline with heavy spin, but you need the depth to allow yourself to get into position to volley, as they nail passing shots full speed.
So me a inconsistent 4.0, I'd better play every approach shot deeper than 4' from the baseline, and hope most go deeper.
If you approach shot ME with a service line shot, I can easily topspin lob you, slice over your backhand, angle short crosscourt, chip DTL, or blast it into your hitting side hip pocket. I like the lower, ankle to shin high shots because I generate more topspin and power from the LOW shots.
Remember, a short approach gives you little time to get into position, as the ball doesn't need the extra time to travel, so the passing shot comes faster and earlier....