Dealing with deep, low, and fast balls

[Syfo-Dias]

This is something I've been wondering for a while. My usual partner has a knack for hitting shots deep and fast that stay really low almost landing on the baseline. They don't have much topspin and seem to actually skid some. It's not so bad on the forehand because I can just kind of catch it on the rise and redirect the pace back, but on the backhand side it's murder. I usually have to do a quick slice to get it back which sets him up for an easy winner because it usually lands short due to me hitting late. So far the only thing that has helped is playing further behind the baseline, but of course that makes dealing with dropshots and angles more difficult. I'd be interested in hearing how other people deal with this kind of shot.

 

[futuratennis]

yea i also have the same problem against one of my mates, forehand side i can cope, but backhand its hard... i guess to deal with it we could try to prevent him being able to play these shots, by moonballing him or bringing him/her into the net

 

[10s talk]

the real problem may be the previous shot that allows him to hit a deep flat shot

 

[futuratennis]

the real problem may be the previous shot that allows him to hit a deep flat shot

ye thats what i thought, try to prevent the shot, make sure he doesnt have the opportunity to do it in the first place

 

[oldhacker]

I know the feeling. A guy who has recently joined my doubles group hits a very hard, low, deep, slightly sliced forehand which is very tough to deal with on artificial grass in the winter. On the backhand side I also try to take it early and reduce my takeback and punch through the ball (slight slice) with my weight moving forward to try to get it back deep.

The problem for guys who hit those agreesive, low, hard, deep, slight slice forehands is that it is a low percentage shot due to the low net clearance and lack of topspin. So I find most cannot string too many together in a rally providing you get them back and make them play.

This is something I've been wondering for a while. My usual partner has a knack for hitting shots deep and fast that stay really low almost landing on the baseline. They don't have much topspin and seem to actually skid some. It's not so bad on the forehand because I can just kind of catch it on the rise and redirect the pace back, but on the backhand side it's murder. I usually have to do a quick slice to get it back which sets him up for an easy winner because it usually lands short due to me hitting late. So far the only thing that has helped is playing further behind the baseline, but of course that makes dealing with dropshots and angles more difficult. I'd be interested in hearing how other people deal with this kind of shot.

 

[mikeler]

I will usually try and punch back a knuckle ball backhand with some clearance over the net and hope that it lands deep enough that it will not setup my opponent.

 

[Headshotterer]

slice or block it back
if your opponent likes to smash the ball so hard, he will eventually make an UE

 

[halalula1234]

thats how i hit my bh .

Oh the bh side i suggest slicing would be the best way since its easy to do especially on a low ball and will skid low and sometimes does a weird spin back on his side.

 

[Zomaru]

This is something I've been wondering for a while. My usual partner has a knack for hitting shots deep and fast that stay really low almost landing on the baseline. They don't have much topspin and seem to actually skid some. It's not so bad on the forehand because I can just kind of catch it on the rise and redirect the pace back, but on the backhand side it's murder. I usually have to do a quick slice to get it back which sets him up for an easy winner because it usually lands short due to me hitting late. So far the only thing that has helped is playing further behind the baseline, but of course that makes dealing with dropshots and angles more difficult. I'd be interested in hearing how other people deal with this kind of shot.

well i do it just by switching hands that way i will use a forehand with my left but most people dont practece with both hands

 

[Syfo-Dias]

The problem for guys who hit those agreesive, low, hard, deep, slight slice forehands is that it is a low percentage shot due to the low net clearance and lack of topspin. So I find most cannot string too many together in a rally providing you get them back and make them play.

You make a good point there. Actually, the last time we played a set I beat him 6-0. I'd say the main reason he lost is due to a lot of unforced errors he made when going for shots like that. Still, I'd like to find a better way to deal with those shots. Thanks for the responses.

 

[tennis_balla]

How do you stand in your ready position at the baseline? How close or wide are your feet? A big problem I've noticed with players is their feet are too close together while in the ready position during a rally, and even sometimes during return of serve. I would suggest feet shoulder width apart at least so you lower your center of gravity.
Also remember that you will always be faster going from low to high then being too straight up and trying to bend. So it won't affect you hitting higher balls. So get those feet wider.

If you look at the pro's they all move with their feet apart. Nadal is a good example to check out. Balance is the key during these shots so a good base with your feet is a must. I wouldn't suggest trying to slice those balls especially if you have to hit them on the rise but rather keep it simple, shorten up your backswing and concentrate on your contact point. The key here is to be balanced with your shoulders and make contact out in front. Trying to over rotate or do too much will result in miss hits and they are unnecessary as your opponent has already been generous enough to supply all the pace, so use it and direct it back at him.

 

[soyizgood]

I used to hit really flat off both sides. Then I tried getting lots of topspin and that so ruined my forehand. The past month I messed around with hitting flatter from the forehand and now I wonder WHY I wasted so much time getting away from what was one of my strengths.

Having the ability to hit flat and deep off both wings is great for getting winners and keeping the opponent honest. And if you can take the ball early you can hit flat, deep, and with good spin off the bounce. It also takes away preparation time from the opponent.

You could try to moonball, slice, hit cross-court, come to the net when he's pinned behind the baseline. Basically, you need to get him out of his comfort zone.

 

[lwto]

What I have done and it has been pretty succsesful is this.

1st they know its troublesome shot, you know its coming.

Get prepared very early.. and get very low.. hitting off your left knee low. Hit way in front and you will have a great driving, return off of it. In fact, once you are comfortable with that, that shot won't come back to you as much because it is a low piercing shot usually at your opponents own back hand..

 

[GeoffB]

Tough one. This is a bit like asking "how do I deal with a 130mph serve that paints the lines." Technically, that should be a low percentage shot, so you deal with it by not worrying about it too much.

But the folks on this forum are right - the groundstroke is more avoidable, because you may be able to deny your opponent the opportunity to hit this ball. You pretty much need to make it hard for him. Lots of ways to do this - moving him around, kicking it high to the corners with topspin, varying the pace and spin, slicing it wide and low so he has to scramble... basically, you have to play good tennis.

You also might want to evaluate the shot a bit - don't alter your game until you determine that he can hit this with a decent percentage. A doubles opponent hit a few of these to me in the warm up, but his percentage dropped so much later than I started to hope he'd try it. Yeah, he connected on a few and left me wrong footed at the baseline, but he missed twice as many.

 

[Dark_Angel85]

of course, it all depends on the previous shot like how most posters have already mentioned...

but if you're already in a situation where you're being EXTREMELY defensive and it's almost impossible to hit back a decent return...

... lob = more time to prepare for an incoming shot, it's not that easy to return a good placed lob (not a silly short one that invites smashing!) and it's frustrating for an opponent to keep getting mooning balls lets say to his weaker side... most pros you watch go for these high lobs so that they can run to the centre fast enough or just to upset the fast pace already set up by the opponent.

 

[Ballinbob]

these are really hard shots to return for me as well. Haha good thing im a S&V and don't have to hit them at all lol. Volleys all the way baby.

Not to make fun of you baseliners but...

pfftt...hahhahah

 

[minisellars]

i try to anticipate or at least realise as soon as the ball comes of the racket e.g if the ball is coming high over the net and doesnt have much topspin then the odds are that the ball will land deep in court, so as soon as you see that the ball will land deep, either prepare for the shot or take 1 or 2 steps back for a more accurate and reliable shot, but if you are unable to anticipate the shot, remember to bend the knees and make the return as difficult to handle as possible for the opponent. be sure to return forward straight after the shot is played.

 

[KenC]

I think we all sometimes forget that tennis is still a game of strategy, not power. Obviously your opponent has a strength that he exploits. You have to deny him that strength in match situations, but feed his strength in practice sessions.

Maybe he has a weak BH. Pound his backhand. If you really want to get strategic, feed him balls that he is only able to hit to your strength. For example, I'm left-handed and always pound my opponents backhand because I know most intermediate level players have a weaker BH than FH, and most players have a real tough time hitting a BH down the line. So they are forced to hit CC to my FH.

 

[Zachol82]

This is something I've been wondering for a while. My usual partner has a knack for hitting shots deep and fast that stay really low almost landing on the baseline. They don't have much topspin and seem to actually skid some. It's not so bad on the forehand because I can just kind of catch it on the rise and redirect the pace back, but on the backhand side it's murder. I usually have to do a quick slice to get it back which sets him up for an easy winner because it usually lands short due to me hitting late. So far the only thing that has helped is playing further behind the baseline, but of course that makes dealing with dropshots and angles more difficult. I'd be interested in hearing how other people deal with this kind of shot.

Seems like you have a pretty good opponent there. A flat, deep shot is pretty hard to redirect correctly with a forehand, let alone backhand. I'm not sure how fast he's hitting but I'm assuming it's pretty fast, since it's causing you to hit late on your backhand side.

Have you tried being more aggressive and going on the offensive? Don't give him the chance to hit those deep, fast-paced shots and he wont. Put some topspin on it, move him from side to side so he has to chase the ball down. If anything, try volleying. Flat shots are perfect to volley, given that you're used to its pace since it is quite fast up at the net.

 

[fruitytennis1]

Bend your knees and hit through the ball. Dont pull up...