Aggressive Hitting In Mixed Doubles

N

new_tennis_player

Banned
Our tennis class is coed, and I play a lot of mixed doubles. One thing I find myself hesitant to do is to hit aggressive shots when female players are at the net.

Now, I feel completely comfortable hitting hard shots PAST female players at the net, and I feel comfortable hitting hard shots either directly at or of course past female players playing back at the baseline.

But, I don't feel comfortable hitting at female players when they are at the net. I know I could win a ton more points this way, but it doesn't feel RIGHT.

Now, some of the better female players feel no compunction hitting the ball right at me when I'm at the net, which is fine with me (hey, that's net play), but I haven't yet brought myself to believe this is the right thing to do, the other way around.

Thoughts?
 
I say drill them, you'll be doing them a favour - what better way is there to improve their reflex volleys?
 
new_tennis_player said:
Our tennis class is coed, and I play a lot of mixed doubles. One thing I find myself hesitant to do is to hit aggressive shots when female players are at the net.

Now, I feel completely comfortable hitting hard shots PAST female players at the net, and I feel comfortable hitting hard shots either directly at or of course past female players playing back at the baseline.

But, I don't feel comfortable hitting at female players when they are at the net. I know I could win a ton more points this way, but it doesn't feel RIGHT.

Now, some of the better female players feel no compunction hitting the ball right at me when I'm at the net, which is fine with me (hey, that's net play), but I haven't yet brought myself to believe this is the right thing to do, the other way around.

Thoughts?
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If you want to win badly, you just have to do it.

I avoid it. Just the way I am. I don't even aim to pass them. So if you're a girl playing against me in doubles and are at net, don't expect any action whatsoever. I do however occasionally throw up the teaser lob.

I say leave it alone unless you're playing in a competitive tournament. In that case do whatever you need to win the point. I honestly couldn't care less in practice if it meant possibly hurting a girl. Especially if she's cute. Haha.
 
I can't even do it in regular doubles, let alone mixed. I play a lot of casual or just random pickup doubles with other people out on the courts when I go and I never go for the net person. I just can't bring myself to do it regardless of the score.

I have played in some league doubles and that's when I will try it from time to time, because the matches actually count for something. But if it's a friendly casual match, I don't want to be "that guy" that's trying to win at all costs. It really seems to take the fun out of a friendly match from my experience.

The way I see it is if I can hit a really hard shot at the net person then it means that the server isn't bringing much to the table. What fault is it of the net player that their partner is hitting sitters into the service box that are just asking to be slaughtered, lol. What I will do is hit down the line if the net player is cheating over too much, just to keep them in check.
 
Bacterio said:
...I play a lot of casual or just random pickup doubles... I just can't bring myself to do it... in some league doubles that's when I will try it from time to time, because the matches actually count... if I can hit a really hard shot at the net person then it means that the server isn't bringing much to the table...
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I also play lots of casual doubles and mixed at my club. Those games, I treat as practice. If the percentage shot is a pass at the netperson, then I will play a pass, because that's the right shot to play and get grooved - but I will practice for a difficult one, so I'll cut out the power and will instead go for placement and lots of spin. Because sometime in a league match I'll have to play just that shot.

In my league matches, the standard is high enough such that if I simply "go for the netperson" I'm likely to play into a winning volley and lose the point, so it's important that I choose the right side to go for past the netperson. So I figure that if in practice games I learn to pick the right spot to thread my pass through, I will also be able to do so in matches when it matters - with extra pace as required. And once I get that level of accuracy grooved, then if the situation calls for it I will certainly drill the netperson "where it hurts".
 
I guess what I am trying to say is that I'm somewhat disappointed by the etiquette or lack thereof of some of my classmates.

There are a couple who clearly cheat on line calls, and at least one who is such an unabashed cheater I cannot even stand to look at this person. This person will literally cheat on every point, every game, every match, every line call, and so on.

Overall, tennis has been a good experience, but there's a bad apple here and there who don't understand that "winning" means nothing: only improvement matters.

I've even encountered some hardcore knuckleheads who try to "win" points during practice rallies. This is AFTER being reminded several times that one is to rally during rally.

I don't want to sink to their level. So thanks for your discussion as this was an opportunity for clarification.

edit: I may even discuss this with the people we play with next time, so there's no misunderstanding.

edit: maybe I should just play singles against male opponents: that way I don't have to worry about this issue. But all that stop and go running....
 
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This sounds like the spirit.

As I mentioned there is a significant minority in my classes who are just hyper aggressive and don't understand that they are really hurting themselves: who wants to practice with people who play like that?

I guess they just figure they'll play whoever is in the class and then just move on.

It's something I've noticed in several situations: knucklehead behavior. These people literally cannot bring themselves to practice during practice.

During actual games, I relish the opportunity to beat them by as wide a margin as possible.

Bacterio said:
I can't even do it in regular doubles, let alone mixed. I play a lot of casual or just random pickup doubles with other people out on the courts when I go and I never go for the net person. I just can't bring myself to do it regardless of the score.

I have played in some league doubles and that's when I will try it from time to time, because the matches actually count for something. But if it's a friendly casual match, I don't want to be "that guy" that's trying to win at all costs. It really seems to take the fun out of a friendly match from my experience.

The way I see it is if I can hit a really hard shot at the net person then it means that the server isn't bringing much to the table. What fault is it of the net player that their partner is hitting sitters into the service box that are just asking to be slaughtered, lol. What I will do is hit down the line if the net player is cheating over too much, just to keep them in check.
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I agree almost 100%.....tho there have been a couple of former D1, D2 former college female players in my mixed league that actually called me out on occasion for hitting junk at them......politely requesting the ball be struck normally.

Once hitting away was approved it was time to hit away.....

If skill level is high it is disrespectful to not hit out regardless of age or sex.

Several years ago there was a fellow in the same league in his mid 70's that you could not get the ball past at the net.....

He was a D1 conference champion in 1946.....
 
From what you're stating it seems like you're having a moral problem rather than an actual hitting problem. I personally, don't know about you guys though - but I do not hit girls.

This is your decision. We're all different in moral beliefs, and so you have to decide for yourself. ^^
 
Depends. If the ladies are:

1) not able to handle the pace.
2) give you that look or to their partner, like "why are you hitting so hard?"
3) look as if they might get injured at the net.

Then I avoid hitting hard or directly at them when they are at the net. I focus on placement and randomly ralling with them a bit so they feel engaged in the game at times.

If they are killing the occasional ball with over celebration after, I'll throw a heater in there ocassionally but never directly at them.
 
It all depends on the skill level of the girl.

If that player shows that they can handle tougher balls at the net, feel free to hit it hard at her.


But, if she's not quite at that level, it's best not to.
 
My tennis coaches tell me to hit all out at them. They usually say"Their here or there to get better, and if they don't like it they can leave".
 
For me a tennis class is not the same as playing a league or tournament. You are there to perfect technique and practice. Going all out on a shot for a net person who can't handle it and maybe takes one in the face or chest is not going to do you any favors believe me. If it is a high level class and they can obviously handle it, well then it shouldn't be a question.
 
Overall, my tennis class experiences have been pretty good. I have encountered a number of knuckleheads however who cheat, lack etiquette, and just generally don't understand that they suck really, really bad and will continue to do so, since they don't practice properly, and instead try to "win" every rally.

Example 1: big forehand who tries to "win" every rally. He never practices any other shot, so in an actual game, he loses to me every time. He can't get his serve in, and every other phase of his game is horrible.

Example 2: another knucklehead who gloats like rocky by "winning points" during rallies.

Example 3: a veteran player who will laugh at you if you ask him to rally properly. He will try to whizz every ball for a winner starting the instant you stop on the court for "warm-up."

Example 4: a low-level player who cheats on every game, and nearly every point, calls set games wrong, and cheats on line calls.

But most of the players are cool. A significant minority are not. So I'm not going to worry about it.
 
new_tennis_player said:
Our tennis class is coed, and I play a lot of mixed doubles. One thing I find myself hesitant to do is to hit aggressive shots when female players are at the net.

Now, I feel completely comfortable hitting hard shots PAST female players at the net, and I feel comfortable hitting hard shots either directly at or of course past female players playing back at the baseline.

But, I don't feel comfortable hitting at female players when they are at the net. I know I could win a ton more points this way, but it doesn't feel RIGHT.

Now, some of the better female players feel no compunction hitting the ball right at me when I'm at the net, which is fine with me (hey, that's net play), but I haven't yet brought myself to believe this is the right thing to do, the other way around.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I aim at the Ovaries and go for the 90 mph forehand...:)
 
Ok I'm getting sick and tired of this topic. What is this *obsession* on TW about hitting people at the net (or feeling bad hitting females at the net).

In 95% of all the USTA matches I've played in 4 years of play, hitting *at* the net person was a rare occurrence and seldom *necessary* to win a tennis match. It is almost always a better strategy to hit it *away* from the net man where they are less likely to hit the ball with their racquet.

If you don't want to hit at the net person, then don't do it and I'm sure you will be just fine! Goodness we need to create some stickies on this topic.
 
People who feel some sort of paternalist attitude towards hitting partners who just happen to be female are doing themselves and their partners a disservice when they let up against a female opponent. Sexism will only go away when you treat women the same way you treat men, with respect to their abilities and as worthy opponents. That said, hitting AT the netman is rarely the go-to play. And if they let the ball hit them, it's their fault.
 
raiden031 said:
Ok I'm getting sick and tired of this topic. What is this *obsession* on TW about hitting people at the net (or feeling bad hitting females at the net).

In 95% of all the USTA matches I've played in 4 years of play, hitting *at* the net person was a rare occurrence and seldom *necessary* to win a tennis match. It is almost always a better strategy to hit it *away* from the net man where they are less likely to hit the ball with their racquet.

If you don't want to hit at the net person, then don't do it and I'm sure you will be just fine! Goodness we need to create some stickies on this topic.
Click to expand...

+1.

Dang. I mean, who are these delicate flowers you people are playing with?

I rarely hit at the net person. I will attempt a pass -- especially DTL in the deuce court -- or a dipper but I cannot think of one time I actually just hit as hard as I can at them. Too easy to lose the point that way.

Cindy -- who has hit reflex volley winners at net when she never even saw the ball
 
Cindysphinx said:
+1.

Dang. I mean, who are these delicate flowers you people are playing with?

I rarely hit at the net person. I will attempt a pass -- especially DTL in the deuce court -- or a dipper but I cannot think of one time I actually just hit as hard as I can at them. Too easy to lose the point that way.

Cindy -- who has hit reflex volley winners at net when she never even saw the ball
Click to expand...

would you be mad if a man aimed at the Ovaries and ripped a forehand. ?
 
I guess I can be a bit more aggressive, keeping in mind this is a class mainly for practice. Maybe after the class is over when we are playing on our own we can decide to go "all out."
 
new_tennis_player said:
Our tennis class is coed, and I play a lot of mixed doubles. One thing I find myself hesitant to do is to hit aggressive shots when female players are at the net.

Now, I feel completely comfortable hitting hard shots PAST female players at the net, and I feel comfortable hitting hard shots either directly at or of course past female players playing back at the baseline.

But, I don't feel comfortable hitting at female players when they are at the net. I know I could win a ton more points this way, but it doesn't feel RIGHT.

Now, some of the better female players feel no compunction hitting the ball right at me when I'm at the net, which is fine with me (hey, that's net play), but I haven't yet brought myself to believe this is the right thing to do, the other way around.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

don't feel bad. it's a totally legitimate strategy and if you are playing with people of both sexes who enjoy and respect the game there will be no hard feelings. i have been hit by the ball plenty of times and targeted plenty more during doubles games (i'm a woman). not a big deal. it's a not-so-gentle reminder to be a better net player, which is good for me, and it only hurts for a second. imo it's most effective when it's aimed at your midsection or slightly lower, so it's not like you're getting hit in the face! :shock:
 
Well as a guy who has been in tennis classes in college that were coed I would say it all depends on the skill level of the target whether its male or female at the net. If you know that the net player is a pretty good player then I would just fire away and if they get hit I think they'll understand. However if the person is at net and is clearly new to tennis I would try to either pass em or if I do hit at them I would try not to rip the shot at full strength. Especially since for every player you could just intimidate by hitting at them there are just as many players who could do the same to you regardless of your skill level.

I actually encountered this situation returning serve and the net player was a girl who was pretty new to tennis and her partner was just laying in the serve and I ripped a backhand at her and it did hit her pretty good in the chest region and I will say I felt pretty bad about it and I did apologize. The moral of the story is if the player on the net is clearly a newbie to tennis you don't want to just aim for them and fire away.Remember tennis is a gentleman's game.
 
Yesterday, I was playing a mixed match. My first interception at the net, I got the girl - her partner gave me a high volley, at stretch, I went for it, got her in the left hip (not too hard). I said sorry, she said no worries, no problem.

During the rest of the match, her partner kept giving me a few chances - he only had slice on both sides, so any loose balls from him were rising high for me at the net to take. So I took them, and with her at the net she was the target to put the ball through either side. And I was taking more than my fair share of volleys, because my partner couldn't volley for love nor money, so either I took it or we lost the point. And I was getting quite frustrated because of that.

Anyhow, I went for one when I anticipated the cross-court return, and I punched it hard at her left knee. By the time I hit it, I had moved from the left service box all the way across to the right one, so I was punching straight down at her. She simply got the racket down to the side and volleyed it past me down the right trams for a winner. No mishit, no fluke, just a good reflex volley.

Guess what? It brought a smile to my face! There I was, getting very p*ssed with a partner who kept duffing it, I went for the opponent and she got me. My only thought was "well done, girl, welcome to the game!" (and "I wish you were on my side...").

For the record, we lost the match - another notch for those who think doubles is won (or lost) at the net.
 
Fedace said:
would you be mad if a man aimed at the Ovaries and ripped a forehand. ?
Click to expand...

No. If I step onto the court to play 7.0 mixed doubles, I am aware there will be men on the court. If I cannot handle that, I should stop playing mixed.

I have had guys hit at me in mixed. I try really, really hard to get the ball back.
 
I find it laughable that people actually think the only way to defeat a *weak* net player is to hit it at them. If they were that hard to defeat at net, then they wouldn't be considered weak. You can easily deal with a weak female net player in mixed by either 1) hitting the ball just a few feet to the side of them, 2) hitting a low dipping shot, or 3) lobbing it over their head. All of these are effective tactics to beat their weak, yet potent net presence.

I'm neither a weak net player nor a strong one, but I can move well so I have an easy time getting to balls out of my reach. Even so, most of the time if people hit the ball at me, I can still get it back and its a losing proposition for the opponents. While hitting at the net person is legitimate when the *intent* is to win tennis points, not inflict pain, I think it is most effective when used as a change-up. Its like hitting down the alley, if you do it every time it becomes ineffective, but its useful to keep your opponent honest.
 
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When anyone hits at me at net and I miss the volley, I find it embarrassing. I then keep mental track of how often in the match this happens.

I cannot recall a match in which the opponents won more points hitting at me than I won by blocking those balls back. If the final tally is four for me and three for you, I did OK.

Also, if you are going to target the woman at net in mixed, you will have to do it off of her partner's serve or groundstroke, and he is the same level you are. Are you sure you won't miss if you try to re-direct the ball at me? Many have tried and many have failed. :)
 
learn to hit at the net player, it wins and more importantly expect to be hit at. Once you expect to be hit you play better, in mixed dubs especially when the gal is weaker (the worst is 4.5 guy and 3.5 gal) the ratio to balls recieved is about 8:1. Mixed dubs makes you play better ladies tennis. I know when an opponet is afraid to go at me..then i feel good about going at them.
 
tennislefty said:
learn to hit at the net player, it wins and more importantly expect to be hit at. Once you expect to be hit you play better, in mixed dubs especially when the gal is weaker (the worst is 4.5 guy and 3.5 gal) the ratio to balls recieved is about 8:1. Mixed dubs makes you play better ladies tennis. I know when an opponet is afraid to go at me..then i feel good about going at them.
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Washington DC, eh? I wonder if we've met. Do you play league around here? And have you ever hit the ball at me at net? If so, I've got a little score to settle with you, tennislefty . . .
 
Cindysphinx said:
When anyone hits at me at net and I miss the volley, I find it embarrassing. I then keep mental track of how often in the match this happens.

I cannot recall a match in which the opponents won more points hitting at me than I won by blocking those balls back. If the final tally is four for me and three for you, I did OK.

Also, if you are going to target the woman at net in mixed, you will have to do it off of her partner's serve or groundstroke, and he is the same level you are. Are you sure you won't miss if you try to re-direct the ball at me? Many have tried and many have failed. :)
Click to expand...


Hehe..you sound like you're a very competent player! :)

Ages ago, like last year, my partner and I lost 0-6 to a couple ladies who seemed to be able to volley, poach every one of our groundstrokes -- but then over half of our groundstrokes were errors coming off of their powerful groundstrokes as well. To be honest, today if I partner up with this same guy we'd lose ...quite easily again.


But these were the only two ladies in my tennis time who I've seen this good. I play random doubles games with random strangers and have not lost to other woman players since. :) I think the chance of encountering a really good woman player is equivalent to that of hitting with a top ATP 100! No?
 
ok..but probably wont see you not that the season is over.. my time for distrticts, sectionals and nationals..btw..you are my type of partner in a dubs match..love your style! agggesive net play wins all the time..
 
From my experience there is no need waste a lot of energy trying to poach or anticipate where the guy will hit his shot. If I make myself a target at the net, the guy almost always tries to blast a hole through me. If I can be ready but still, it's really not that hard to angle off one of these shots.

Most of the men figure out quickly that there are more effective strategies to use but there have been a few stubborn ones...I spend the match worrying their rage will escalate to a heart attack or stroke. I'm not current with my CPR...

I did play with an Aussie gentleman who under no circumstances would hit at the woman. And if I got nailed by the ball he felt honor bound to humiliate his male opponent with superior shot making. Pretty gallant stuff.
 
tennislefty said:
ok..but probably wont see you not that the season is over.. my time for distrticts, sectionals and nationals..btw..you are my type of partner in a dubs match..love your style! agggesive net play wins all the time..
Click to expand...

I have this weird feeling I know who you are. Initials LS?
 
new_tennis_player said:
Our tennis class is coed, and I play a lot of mixed doubles. One thing I find myself hesitant to do is to hit aggressive shots when female players are at the net. Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Consider their level. If they are 2.5... no don't drill the ball at them (unless you're losing) :twisted:

4.0+ women should have little problem volleying with 3.5-4.0 men.

What level (approximately) are you and your opponents playing?
 
Mixed dubs and hitting the net person:

I really like this topic. It really uncovers the "win at all cost" mentalities. Why would anyone consider hitting at someone who is of lesser skill and is most likely unable to defend themselves? Answer- To Win!

Winning a casual tennis match just doesn't mean that much to me. In my opinion if one needs clarification on the merits of hammering a woman at the net in order to win a point, they need to spend some time in from of a mirror first and take a long hard look. Maybe the answer can be found there.

Who plays this game for the love of game?
 
Puma said:
Mixed dubs and hitting the net person:

I really like this topic. It really uncovers the "win at all cost" mentalities. Why would anyone consider hitting at someone who is of lesser skill and is most likely unable to defend themselves? Answer- To Win!

Winning a casual tennis match just doesn't mean that much to me. In my opinion if one needs clarification on the merits of hammering a woman at the net in order to win a point, they need to spend some time in from of a mirror first and take a long hard look. Maybe the answer can be found there.

Who plays this game for the love of game?
Click to expand...

Why do you assume the woman at net is of "lesser skill" and is "unable to defend herself?"
 
tennislefty said:
Hey Bud! i used to live in San Diego! awesome city,,just not much diversity..
Click to expand...

San Diego County 2008:

31% Hispanic
10% Asian
5.5% Black
3.1% Mixed race

If ethnic diversity = % of blacks, yeah I would say it is not diverse. If consider all races it is pretty diverse.
 
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