Cannot find rhythm against pushers

[Jono123]

The simple fact is the Pusher is better than you. Try and develop consistency in your play, that means being able to hit the ball more than three times without spilling long or in the net.

When you do, you will punish the pusher's short balls and treat them with the contempt they deserve .....

 

[toth]

I would suggest just using a less extreme grip and allowing less racquet drop at the start of the downswing.

I dont want to change my grip
I will find an another solution i am sure

 

[optic yellow]

I dont want to change my grip
I will find an another solution i am sure

Just do the reduced racquet drop part then with the wrists tilted back through contact.

 

[Pass750]

I think net game against pushers are even more important than usually.
How confident are you at the net?
How do you like approach the net?

Weak approach shots, come to net, get lobbed or passed.

 

[Pass750]

The simple fact is the Pusher is better than you. Try and develop consistency in your play, that means being able to hit the ball more than three times with spilling long or in the net.

When you do, you will punish the pusher's short balls and treat them with the contempt they deserve .....

This is the answer.

 

[toth]

Weak approach shots, come to net, get lobbed or passed.

What type of approach shot do you use?
I think without effektiv approach shots and net game is very difficoult against defensiv player.
I have this problem too, i am working on it, i feel it is getting better.

 

[Pass750]

What type of approach shot do you use?
I think without effektiv approach shots and net game is very difficoult against defensiv player.
I have this problem too, i am working on it, i feel it is getting better.

Short balls need to be generated and put away to beat a very good defensive player. It requires heavy or hard shots either near the base line or in the corners. It comes down to having these strokes, easier said then done.Or very good , perfectly drop shots work too. Of course a great serve helps too, but depends on the level, I have only seen great serves that trouble me at 4.5.

Approach shots don’t need to be clean winners either, as long as opponent can’t cleanly return them the point is yours. I fall into this trap and make mistakes trying for the perfect shot.

I play very strong defense, when I lose its only against players like I described. Any other strategy people suggest here never beats me, I can counter it.

 

[Morch Us]

Don't get discouraged by this base strategy even if you end up loosing this week.

On top of the strategy, you may also need to develop some "new" skills, you may not have to against others (to execute the strategy).

1. Coming to net is all good and is proper strategy, but what if you are going to miss 9 out of 10 overheads, and 5 out of 10 volleys. Unlike other players, the pusher is most probably going to "make you" play the shot. So learn consistency and placement on overheads, right movement needed for hitting overheads when moving back. Learn to be "consistent" on angle volleys and deep volleys, and also when to do what naturally.

2. Approach shots. Learn to hit "consistent" approach shots, with "just enough" on them. If you cannot hit consistent approach shots without making it too easy for the opponent, you are going to make your life at net tougher than it should be.

3. Moving vertically efficiently, and the proper footwork needed for it. Pushers make you move forward (short balls, on purpose or not), and backward (lobs are common).

Without learning the above skills, the strategy may fail, but nothing to be discouraged.

I will play my pusher friend again next week. Based on what I have read on here mostly, this will be my strategy:
1) Move feet well and avoid being in stationary positions during a rally
2) Do not go all out on shots but stick to 70 - 80% power level
3) Be aggressive in terms of placement and willingness to come to net

 

[vex]

This post is not a knock against pushers. My worst record is against 2 pushers and I will admit - they present to me a game that I have troubles dealing with and need to get better at. What I am noticing is that I just don't get into a rhythm - my timing is off - I either dump into the net or hit long mostly. Unless I play slice shots, I struggle with staying in a rally. Would appreciate your advice on how to handle them.

Just relax and remember: they’re always going to give you another ball.

Make sure you mix back and forth: side to side groundies, leading up to an approach shot and a volley putaway AND drop shots to pull them to the net where they aren’t good followed by high margin passing shots.

Anti-Pusher 101.

 

[Steady Eddy]

Just relax and remember: they’re always going to give you another ball.

Make sure you mix back and forth: side to side groundies, leading up to an approach shot and a volley putaway AND drop shots to pull them to the net where they aren’t good followed by high margin passing shots.

Anti-Pusher 101.

And also lobs. Pushers aren't usually so great at smashing.

If they chase down the lob, pull them back to the net. You can run them more from back to front than from side to side.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Short balls need to be generated and put away to beat a very good defensive player. It requires heavy or hard shots either near the base line or in the corners.

For me, this is more often than not a formula for disaster as I'm not accurate enough to aim near lines. I try to hit within 5' of the lines; as @nyta2 stated, "if I hit the line, it was a mistake".

Instead, I view the approach as a setup shot. I try to hit aggressively but with sufficient margin. If it turns out to be a winner, great; but I'm expecting it to come back and that I'll win the point on the first or second volley [or OH].

It comes down to having these strokes, easier said then done.Or very good , perfectly drop shots work too.

There aren't many who can consistently hit great DSs. I have better than average touch and I still usually end up losing more points than I win with DSs.

Better is to hit deliberate short, low shots that make it a difficult decision to retreat. If you can force them to the net where they are uncomfortable, you've won half the battle already.

Of course a great serve helps too, but depends on the level, I have only seen great serves that trouble me at 4.5.

A 4.5 pusher will be able to deal with a garden variety 4.5 serve.

Approach shots don’t need to be clean winners either, as long as opponent can’t cleanly return them the point is yours. I fall into this trap and make mistakes trying for the perfect shot.

Aah, OK; so we agree then.

 

[ubercat]

My hitting partner cracked it put coz I won 3 tiebreaker in a row with long short game. She actually hits me off the court if I hit hard. But I don't think she gives much credit because I serve hard, can hit fast FHs, have all the slices and volley (work in progress). Not what I d describe as a pusher.