Maybe Mixed Isn't So Bad . . .

[Cindysphinx]

It is not easy to avoid the female player in mixed.

She will spend more time at net, and the women often play very close to net. Say I am receiving the 4.0 guy's serve in the deuce court. How am I supposed to take that serve and re-direct it at the woman well enough that she won't have an easy volley put-away?

Also, remember that doubles players have patterns of play that they prefer. Returning crosscourt is the bread and butter, as is hitting to the player who is deeper in the court and driving the ball up the middle. These strategies won't steer the ball to the opposing female. Then what?

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by Cindysphinx

It is not easy to avoid the female player in mixed.

She will spend more time at net, and the women often play very close to net. Say I am receiving the 4.0 guy's serve in the deuce court. How am I supposed to take that serve and re-direct it at the woman well enough that she won't have an easy volley put-away?

Also, remember that doubles players have patterns of play that they prefer. Returning crosscourt is the bread and butter, as is hitting to the player who is deeper in the court and driving the ball up the middle. These strategies won't steer the ball to the opposing female. Then what?

Are 4.0 men's serve that different to return from a lady's 4.0, from a lady's perspective? Hitting a cross court ball cleanly off a serve should be apart of ones toolbox, especially in doubles right?

As for hitting at the lady, in my very small amount of mixed I was told that you should be going for percentages, not the weaker player on return. If I'm playing someone with a half decent serve, take the net person out of the equation and return it deep cross court. It gives my team enough time to help move in, and if my partner has the chance to poach, it normally happens.

-Fuji

[JoelDali]

I aim for the fem's spider veins, this is where they struggle with low and powerful balls. Especially older 3.0 ladies that play with heavy Babolats trying to act all Clijsterish. They can't scoop up my heavy balls that well and get flustered and impatient and eventually quit the sport altogether.

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by JoelDali

I aim for the fem's spider veins, this is where they struggle with low and powerful balls. Especially older 3.0 ladies that play with heavy Babolats trying to act all Clijsterish. They can't scoop up my heavy balls that well and get flustered and impatient and eventually quit the sport altogether.

-Fuji

[Cindysphinx]

Fuji, IME there is a lot of difference between the serve of a 4.0 guy and a 4.0 gal.

In ladies, I hardly ever face a server who has a serve I will struggle to return. Most of the first serves are flat and come nice and straight. Most of the second serves are a modified push -- just a slower version of the first -- or are puffballs.

The 4.0 guys will have more pace on their flat serve. But the biggest difference is that the 4.0 guys can use spin to confound or to yank you off the court. So if I am receiving on the ad court and the guy hits a slice up the middle, there's just no way I can get enough on the return to go at the woman or down her alley. Gotta send it right back to the guy server.

[dizzlmcwizzl]

Originally Posted by Cindysphinx

Fuji, IME there is a lot of difference between the serve of a 4.0 guy and a 4.0 gal.

In ladies, I hardly ever face a server who has a serve I will struggle to return. Most of the first serves are flat and come nice and straight. Most of the second serves are a modified push -- just a slower version of the first -- or are puffballs.

The 4.0 guys will have more pace on their flat serve. But the biggest difference is that the 4.0 guys can use spin to confound or to yank you off the court. So if I am receiving on the ad court and the guy hits a slice up the middle, there's just no way I can get enough on the return to go at the woman or down her alley. Gotta send it right back to the guy server.

Yea perhaps therw is no greater stroke that differs between men and women than the serve. There are just so few women that hit serves with spin. I suspect in ladies play the woman with a kicker is special indeed.

I have consistently found the best serve to a woman is a slicing serve moving out and away from her forehand. Never give them flat unless you are sending a message. Often you will see it blocked back over the net man.