Changing Ball Direction During Rallies

[ucd_ace]

I was just wondering what players strategies on here are when changing the direction of the ball during baseline rallies.

 

[Bagumbawalla]

When you are playing someone your own level, or higher, you want to play the percentages and minimize unforced errors.

You want to hit deep and over the center of the net if possible. Hitting the ball back along the trajectory from which it came is safe and easy.

If your opponent hits down the line, respond with a hard cross-court drive and move to the center to cover possible returns

When you get a short ball, see lots of open court, catch your opponent leaning/moving away-- then go for a placement/winner and follow the shot to the net.

Or-- chip to backhand, mid-court, follow ball to net.

Or-- if the opponent is way deep, drop-shot and come to net.

These are some of the times changing the direction would be a positive rather than a negative.

Since changing the direction of the ball requires more effort/timing/risk, do so only when you can see that a clear advantage to be gained.

 

[Nextman916]

It takes anticipation to do this really effectively. If you want to change the pace from cross court to down the line you have to anticipate that he is going cross court and the degree of the angle. I always found it very hard when engaged in a long cross court rally to go down the line. Once you read where it is going, position your body to hit down the line then just let it rip.
If you want to change from down the line to cross court, you have to take the ball further out in front. The further the better the angle.

 

[FuriousYellow]

Good place to start is to read the Wardlaw Directionals or get the video "High-Percentage Tennis".

 

[ucd_ace]

Good place to start is to read the Wardlaw Directionals or get the video "High-Percentage Tennis".

I have; I wasn't looking for advice, I was just wondering what other players strategies were.

 

[theartoftennis]

To get a sharper angle, I usually try to move farther into the ball, to cut the outside of it better. For down the line shots, I usually try to take them earlier, because it's much easier to time, and better in the long run since you're cutting your opponents time to react.

 

[tonysk83]

My best shot is my down the line forehand mainly I have no idea how I have made it so reliable, maybe it is part of my stance or something. But I think one of the best things possible is when your opponent tries to change direction of the ball and get the advantage, to change it right back at them. If someone hits you down the line or cross court, just hit it cross court, or down the line, you hit it back to the middle, they will be able to move you wherever they want again.

I say try to change direction as fast as possible in points. I see so many kids my age just bang the ball back and forth to the middle of the court, achieving nothing and wasting shots that they could mess up.

 

[kevhen]

Only change direction on easy short balls otherwise stay crosscourt. I tried to change direction on a hard incoming shot last night and ended up hitting the backhand a foot wide as I should have expected.

 

[MasterTS]

Only change direction on easy short balls otherwise stay crosscourt. I tried to change direction on a hard incoming shot last night and ended up hitting the backhand a foot wide as I should have expected.

Oftentimes you can hit a DTL shot giving the ball a loopy trajectory such as a high topspin to the backhand. This ensures a safe shot for you and can force errors or shotballs if placed deep. I know this works in the 4.5s and is still usable in higher levels as well.

 

[ceejay]

The only time I ever just hit the ball straight back is when I get a hard deep shot. Any other time, I'm either looking to make my opponent run or to hit an approach.

 

[Ripper]

The only time I ever just hit the ball straight back is when I get a hard deep shot. Any other time, I'm either looking to make my opponent run or to hit an approach.

Fast courts, I assume?

 

[Geezer Guy]

When I get a very wide ball that I'm forced to hit from outside the sideline, I'll almost always go back cross-court.

When I get a short ball that I can hit from inside the sideline, I'll often (but not always) drive it down-the-line.

The other "average" balls in a cross-court baseline rally, I'll go back XC maybe 75% of the time, and DTL about 25% of the time, but it also depends on a lot of other factors.

 

[MasterTS]

but it also depends on a lot of other factors.

Yep if the guys backhand is a big weakness then I tend to target that area. Sometimes their backhand is a strength but you also want to hit to the strength to open up the court on the other side! Many factors!

 

[ceejay]

Fast courts, I assume?

Probably. I've only played on hard outdoor surfaces. No idea what they're made of. Maybe tarmac?

 

[TENNIS_99]

I always go cross court until situation changed, means I got a short ball,my opponent is pulled out of the court,my opponent is coming to the net....

I make sure I got a lot juice on the cross court strokes; I need to put my body behind the ball enough means I have to be fast and cover enough court to make the shots offensive. Also I vary the depth of the shots, short angle x courts shots become a very effective weapon. But I do agree DTL is very lethal becuase it travles the shortest distacne before it gets out of bound. Something I need to add to my weaponry.

 

[FH2FH]

Wardlaw Directionals is a good starting point, but sometimes the "percentage" shot is not the most effective shot; one wing is ALWAYS more/less consistent and/or more potent for you and your opponent. If they aren't giving me balls I like or I'm missing, I try to change the pattern. If my FH is off and has more UE's that particular day, I go to the BH for offensive shots and just keep the FH in play, or vice versa. You should consider your opponents weaknesses so the percentages are even higher in your favor.