"Pusher" ... Playing This (Dreaded) Opponent

[GuyClinch]

^^^^you really need to stop killing threads by talking about all these fantasy super pushers. I get what your saying but the OP wants some tactics to deal with a dinker not some manifesto about how Nadal actually is a pusher..

Pete

[Blake0]

Originally Posted by joe28601

I hate playing against pushers, and I bet a lot of people do.. I was wondering whats one way to beat a pusher. So I realized, get the pusher mad, he'll start hitting shots out. I dont know if that happens all the time but in tournaments i've played in I would beat my pushers 6-1 6-1. Is their anything easier to getting a pusher mad? Should you start pushing it back? Should you go with the serve and volley technique or should you just have one helluva serve?


HELP!!!!

tots

If you hit hard enough..you might be able to hit so hard..the pusher will find it hard to control your shot..

But realistically, moving into net is a simple option..be it s & v or approach whenever you get a short ball, or charge in after hitting a moonball..try to drop and lob them too maybe?

[Mick]

Originally Posted by Blake0

If you hit hard enough..you might be able to hit so hard..the pusher will find it hard to control your shot..

But realistically, moving into net is a simple option..be it s & v or approach whenever you get a short ball, or charge in after hitting a moonball..try to drop and lob them too maybe?

i think hard hitting only works if the one doing it is a consistent player. in my experience, the pusher loves to see hard balls because he figures that sooner or later his opponent will hit the ball out.

people who can hit the ball hard and are consistent don't have a problem playing against pushers, only the ones who hit the ball hard and are inconsistent do.

[cl76]

Why is the "pusher" so "dreaded" in the first place?

Sounds like people have an issue with losing to a pusher. In which case, they need to ditch their egos and realise they've been outplayed and learn from the experience (rather than cry foul).

[LeeD]

I dread pushers because they always play a tough game, and only my very best game can beat them. Artist that I am, my best game only comes thru occassionally, to be followed by flops and roadkills.
That's why I dread pushers. They are always tough, good day or bad day, they make it tough to beat them.

[cl76]

Originally Posted by LeeD

I dread pushers because they always play a tough game, and only my very best game can beat them. Artist that I am, my best game only comes thru occassionally, to be followed by flops and roadkills.
That's why I dread pushers. They are always tough, good day or bad day, they make it tough to beat them.

I don't dread that which will challenge me and improve my game. If this "pusher" pushes me to the edge and over he has done me a great service. He should be thanked and respected for helping me improve.

[Blake0]

Originally Posted by Mick

i think hard hitting only works if the one doing it is a consistent player. in my experience, the pusher loves to see hard balls because he figures that sooner or later his opponent will hit the ball out.

people who can hit the ball hard and are consistent don't have a problem playing against pushers, only the ones who hit the ball hard and are inconsistent do.

True, but if you can hit hard enough, the pusher will be thinkin "how the....do you control this!?" Ofcourse on a consistent basis..or the pusher will be praying it never goes in .

[nytennisaddict]

whenever i hear someone call another person a "pusher", it translates in my head as "i'm fat, lazy and/or out of shape, and i can't hang with this SOB that gets every f'ing ball back"

yeah, i used to be that person (fat, lazy and out of shape!) and used the term "pusher" all the time... i had one or two good shots, that worked to beat other bangers (you know, folks that try to hit a hard ball back harder), but against a pusher aka. the wall, it didn't work... because they can handle pace, move well, and are willing to stay in a rally for 25+ shots. oh yeah, and they actually worked on their fitness off the court.

these days i still get beat by "pushers", but at least i'm now in better shape, willing to stay in long rallies, and work for every point... and can beat a few more pushers than i was able to a few years ago.

i can definitely think of a few folks i "should" beat if you watched our warmup (eg. i hit harder), but when it comes down to match time, it's not even close (me losing!).

[athiker]

Originally Posted by nytennisaddict

whenever i hear someone call another person a "pusher", it translates in my head as "i'm fat, lazy and/or out of shape, and i can't hang with this SOB that gets every f'ing ball back"

That fits the bill for my match last night! ...though I'm not exactly fat and lazy...I realized early that I was not in the same shape my opponent was...kudos to him. I had to resort to S&V on almost all my serves and low slice approaches off his 2nd serves. I also had success with wrongfooting him.

I like Watchman's pusher definitions early in this thread as well...especially the last one!

Originally Posted by The Watchman

I think it means different things to different people. I think the following three sums it up.

First definition - 'pusher' is someone whose game aims to have zero unforced errors and zero winners (ie a definition based on their strategy).

Second definition - 'pusher' is someone who bunts the ball back slowly and with poor technique, aiming to get the ball in without regard to placement (ie a definition based on their technique).

Third definition - 'pusher' is someone who the OP lost to because they (the OP) hit too many unforced errors and the opponent, who knew the easiest way to get the win, let them (ie a definition based on how they make someone feel).

Seems to be a lot of people using it in the third sense lately ...