Being A Pusher

[etea]

I would like to know how i can improve my skills as a pusher, please tell me what i should practice on and things to watch out for (S&V). Thanks a bunch!

[K-LEG]

PUSHER ALERT! I think you should stop playing tennis.

[etea]

i think you should go in your corner and cry about it.

[mona999]

hehe.

i would say patience is the biggest thing.

also, one thing my coach said that really stuck was that when you hit a really good shot, or sequence of shots, you are not finished. The hard part is to be able to make these shots Again, and Again (in the same point) until the other person finally cannot get it back. So don't be satisified with one awesome shot/play, be satisfied when you can do it repeatedly! If you make some great shots, Expect to get it back and do it over again.

ok!?

[dave333]

Being a pusher is all about consistency and never going for too much.

During a basic rally, just push the ball deep with plenty of net clearance every time.

When someone serves and volleys, lob.

When someone hits a good shot, lob or just hit a good recovery shot and get back to the middle.

When you need to hit an approach shot, slice the ball so it will be low.

I'm still thinking....

[kevhen]

Pusher skills needed: physically fitness, mental and physical stamina to run down all balls. Ability to hit balls back over the net with backspin or topspin or no spin or even sidespin, placement is not so important, just get the ball back over. As you become a better pusher, you will place the ball better (deep and short angle), add more spin (top and back), and will start picking on your opponent's weaker side. You don't have to hit winners to win in tennis just be very consistent.

[Nuke]

Originally Posted by dave333

When someone serves and volleys, lob.

That's a good tactic for all players. The difference is pushers lob when they don't need to.

Originally Posted by dave333

When you need to hit an approach shot, slice the ball so it will be low.

That's a good tactic for all players. Do pushers ever "need to hit an approach shot"?

[Steady Eddy]

Originally Posted by Nuke

Do pushers ever "need to hit an approach shot"?

I was wondering that too. But if your opponent hits a short ball, what are you going to do with it? This is a time where the pusher tactic of running back to the baseline is problematic; if you let him make you run up and back each point, you'll tire.

If the pusher can play the net, he's not a real pusher. I see a pusher more hitting a drop shot off the short ball, one way to end a point and still be a pusher.

One thing to think about. What if you play another pusher? The points become very long and the winner will be whoever is in the best shape. Defensive players like Borg and Nadal have been very fit. Do you have that going for you?

[VS_Power]

be fit, be fast, read your opponents, and learn control! always go for the high percentage shot, but make sure to make your opponent run too!!! master the lob... very important!

oh yes and probably the most difficult part of being a pusher is getting drop shotted then lobbed. make sure your overheads are solid.

[sliceworks76]

I'd actually work on passing shots and your net play. It sounds like that's the opposite thing that "pushers" should do, but converting from a baseline game to a more all-around player will really help. The first key is obviously being consistent, but if you hit a wall, major improvements will come from just having adequate approach shots, volleys, and passing shots. Lobs are great, but sometimes you have to hit a low ball at a player's feet so you don't get predictable.

[raiden031]

If you want to be a solid pusher, you may want to make sure you don't follow-through on your strokes. A nice abbreviated "push" stroke will help you keep the ball in play.

[wyutani]

I think a great pusher requires great stamina and lots of slicing and dicing.

[The Gorilla]

Originally Posted by raiden031

If you want to be a solid pusher, you may want to make sure you don't follow-through on your strokes. A nice abbreviated "push" stroke will help you keep the ball in play.

the opposite

[wyutani]

yeah, listen to the gorilla.

[raiden031]

Originally Posted by The Gorilla

the opposite

All the pushers that can beat me do so with abbreviated push strokes. People who follow-through (like myself) might have more potential to become advanced players, but will hits lots of UEs while developing.

[ChocolatePie]

There's a pusher on our team and he's really good. He hits harder than most pushers and if he comes to net, it's not possible to have him make an unforced error.

A net game is good for pushers in my opinion.

[QuietDaze]

But isn't having a net game not very pusherlike? I'll have to look up the definition of a pusher. I thought they were pretty passive players who just wants to get the ball back in play with very few unforced errors.

[LuckyR]

Originally Posted by etea

I would like to know how i can improve my skills as a pusher, please tell me what i should practice on and things to watch out for (S&V). Thanks a bunch!

I'd work on getting a great deal of topspin on your groundies, that will allow you to add quite a bit of arch to your shots and all beginners and many intermediates will crumble beneath you if you can develop that shot.

As to S&Vers, you will either need a great lob (see above) or a great pass. Of course if you develop a great pass you will be crossing over into counterpuncher territory.

Bring the hurt.

[Tennis_Monk]

Let us make this easy. Tell us what skills you have and we can tell you if you need any more. Who knows? you may already be 4.0. Generally Pushers cap around 4.0/4.5.

[GuyClinch]

I do agree - if you want to be a better pusher you need a net game. At even the 3.5 level I find people with the puff serves. I don't think running backwards is a good tatic for a pusher to use against that.. You can hit a drop shot or an approach though..

Also your net game will counter the "pusher" strategy of trying to get you to the net..

pete