Handling shorter balls at the recreational level

[dandruffkb]

Hey everyone!
I am 24 and picked up tennis a year ago and have pretty much played 6-7 days a week since w/ private lessons and sometimes multiple sessions a day, but I'm running into a huge issue in my matches.

I rally with plenty of people who play in 4.0-4.5 (met through clinics or other students of coach) and play some matches sometimes and tend to get 6/3'd at best and bageled at worst, but I always feel like I know where I'm messing up or simply getting outplayed.

In terms of matches in my local league, I'm still fairly new and play at a low 3.5 level, and if it's baseline to baseline, I tend to win those points, but I have a very Rublev mentality of bashing balls and crushing whatever I can and lack a lot of patience. It goes well most of the time at this level, but there are plenty of times where my opponent mishits or simply blocks my groundstroke, and the ball lands either at the service line or shorter and I mess these up more than 50% of the time. It feels like I'm giving away soooo many points.

In terms of this, what exactly should I focus on? I understand I am clearly more comfortable at the baseline, but once I've been given a short ball to attack, it feels like a coinflip. How much spin should I add? If it's higher and I want to flatten it out, I get afraid of it going in the net. If I add too much spin and it just pops up for them and lands short, I just look stupid. I've watched plenty of videos, and in a match setting, I just can't seem to execute it.

I had an idea to just punch it back in and sprint back to the baseline lol, but obviously, I'm looking to improve even if I lose another 50 games to learn the correct thing to do.

I've fully accepted that the better player and the one that makes less errors win, and I am beyond okay if I lose a match cos I overhit my groundstrokes a few too many times and make unforced errors as I enjoy playing like that, but I usually know why a specific hit sailed long. However, once I am put in a position to hit an approaching shot, I feel like a lost puppy...

 

[Jonesy]

The topspin idea isn't wrong, you just need to aim higher so it won't land short and spin it even more so it won't sail long. The shorter court will do the rest.

 

[dandruffkb]

The topspin idea isn't wrong, you just need to aim higher so it won't land short and spin it even more so it won't sail long. The shorter court will do the rest.

Ah okay, I'll try to implement this asap.
Likely in my next lesson, I'll probably spend the full time doing drills around the service line to net.

When should you flatten out a shot a bit more on an approaching shot? Obviously when it's high enough, but wouldn't a topspin shot work in all scenarios regardless of low or high balls? I'm assuming flattening shots is just more risky but a better way of putting the ball away and ending the point at the right height?

 

[Jonesy]

Ah okay, I'll try to implement this asap.
Likely in my next lesson, I'll probably spend the full time doing drills around the service line to net.

When should you flatten out a shot a bit more on an approaching shot? Obviously when it's high enough, but wouldn't a topspin shot work in all scenarios regardless of low or high balls? I'm assuming flattening shots is just more risky but a better way of putting the ball away and ending the point at the right height?

When you get confident with this shot. As you get more comfortable with it you can flatten some to inject more pace.

Reality is that this scenario is more about placement and spin than pace, because the distance is shorter your opponent will already have less time to defend against.

 

[tennis3]

I rally with plenty of people who play in 4.0-4.5 (

With these guys or even 3.5's, if the goal was to hold a rally for as long as you can, no matter where your opponent hit the ball (even short), how many strokes could you hold a cooperative rally for? I don't mean just tapping it. I mean a "regular" rally.

The "secret" to making this or any shot is being able to control the ball. If you can keep a rally going from anywhere on the court, you'll be able to make these most of the time.

 

[dandruffkb]

When you get confident with this shot. As you get more comfortable with it you can flatten some to inject more pace.

Reality is that this scenario is more about placement and spin than pace, because the distance is shorter your opponent will already have less time to defend against.

Ah noted, that makes sense. I'd rather just keep it uniform right now with only that goal in mind. Thank you!

With these guys or even 3.5's, if the goal was to hold a rally for as long as you can, no matter where your opponent hit the ball (even short), how many strokes could you hold a cooperative rally for? I don't mean just tapping it. I mean a "regular" rally.

The "secret" to making this or any shot is being able to control the ball. If you can keep a rally going from anywhere on the court, you'll be able to make these most of the time.

With the people I rally with, I guess this is my mistake on why it turns into not the best "practice." (Just to clear up) I never tap it in, pretty much refused to play tennis like that lol and would rather stop playing, but during most of the rallys, if the ball lands a bit short, I tend to just let it bounce twice and walk up to it and restart the rally. So in a majority of my "rally" sessions, it's mainly me moving left and right and a focus on depth/ball control from the baseline with very small adjustments in footwork in regards to back and forth unless it is a minor one.

Shorter or longer balls tend to just be met with a "sorry," but I should more than definitely start chasing those down and getting comfortable with the shorter ones.

 

[Funbun]

Instead of plain rallying or full-on matches with these 4.0-4.5 players, start playing feed points instead. First ball off the feed is crosscourt, then the point starts.

It's an excellent way to practice organic rally situations,raise shot tolerance in general, and give you opportunities to learn to attack/defend. The points should add a fun element of pressure, too.

 

[TennisCJC]

My 2 cents:

1. If it is short and low to your backhand side, use a slice backhand reply. You have 3 targets: 1. deep down the line, 2. drop shot or short low slice down the line or 3. deep cross court. Only use the cross court to get to opponents weakness. Keep going into the net to get into volley position. Learn to volley and hit overheads if you want to move up.
2. If it is short and a bit higher to your back hand side, you can use a topspin backhand if you have that shot. Targets as above.
3. If it is short and low to your forehand, you have the option of brushing up to hit a topspin shot down the line or cross court only to find a weakness or if you have a clean winner. Cross court is dangerous because it leaves your line completely exposed. Again, go to the net. Or, you can dig it up with a forehand slice (see #1 above for targeting. If you go with the topspin, work on getting enough brush and topspin to pick the ball up and get it down inside the court.
4. If it is short and higher, you can then hit an agressive topspin shot either down the line or cross court.

Keep in mind on short balls, you want to aim lower over the net because the court is shorter when you are well inside your baseline. I think "over 1" when I am more than 6 feet inside the court to remind myself to hit over 1 foot over the net. But, you don't want to go to high so 1 to 2 feet over the net is your target. A good way to practice these shots is to get a hopper full of balls and feed yourself drop feeds with you standing about 3 feet behind the service line. You can practice low feeds and higher feeds and work on getting the feel for the movement, spins and targeting. Use a wider stance and get lower by bending at the knee on low balls.

 

[TennisCJC]

I would also add you want to work on your anticipation. If you hit a really good serve or groundstroke, the odds that your opponents next reply will be short-ish is almost automatic. This is true even at the 4.0 and 4.5 levels. I think there's a tendency to think of tennis as long points but reality is the majority of points are short and sweet and first aggressive shot usually warrants a weak reply.

 

[Dragy]

There are multiple ways to practice such balls. Key thing is “practice” - it’s not something you can solve with an off-court “a-ha” tip.

There’re ways to hit it: more calm and controlled, or full-throttle, but with spin mostly, or flattening them out low over the net. But first and foremost I’d go for the following:
- Use full free swing, but not max-effort one, and land the shot 9 times out of ten. Find out how much spin you need and what trajectory is best. Practice off feeds, use every rally opportunity to step in and hit it
- Also figure out how to place this shot where you want it. Not exactly on the line, but to good target.

Once you can do it confidently, you have basic range of options: you can approach DTL or into the weaker wing/body; you can put ball away if you have good opening to hit through (including angled shots); or you can simply put pressure on your opponent setting him on the run and finishing with the next shot through the opening.

Overall, you can keep developing strong shots, but try to find that range where you are happy to hit dozen of those shots in a row - don’t rush to finish the point. Play it, enjoy the rally going on and on. Same with shorter ball - play it, don’t go to make it over as a coin flip

 

[dandruffkb]

Instead of plain rallying or full-on matches with these 4.0-4.5 players, start playing feed points instead. First ball off the feed is crosscourt, then the point starts.

It's an excellent way to practice organic rally situations,raise shot tolerance in general, and give you opportunities to learn to attack/defend. The points should add a fun element of pressure, too.

When I play with someone better, I usually just let them dictate the practice, haha. They're taking the time out of their day to play with me, but this sounds definitely more fun and better practice. I'll ask next time if they're interested, if not, I'll ask other 3.5s to do it with me!

My 2 cents:

1. If it is short and low to your backhand side, use a slice backhand reply. You have 3 targets: 1. deep down the line, 2. drop shot or short low slice down the line or 3. deep cross court. Only use the cross court to get to opponents weakness. Keep going into the net to get into volley position. Learn to volley and hit overheads if you want to move up.
2. If it is short and a bit higher to your back hand side, you can use a topspin backhand if you have that shot. Targets as above.
3. If it is short and low to your forehand, you have the option of brushing up to hit a topspin shot down the line or cross court only to find a weakness or if you have a clean winner. Cross court is dangerous because it leaves your line completely exposed. Again, go to the net. Or, you can dig it up with a forehand slice (see #1 above for targeting. If you go with the topspin, work on getting enough brush and topspin to pick the ball up and get it down inside the court.
4. If it is short and higher, you can then hit an agressive topspin shot either down the line or cross court.

Keep in mind on short balls, you want to aim lower over the net because the court is shorter when you are well inside your baseline. I think "over 1" when I am more than 6 feet inside the court to remind myself to hit over 1 foot over the net. But, you don't want to go to high so 1 to 2 feet over the net is your target. A good way to practice these shots is to get a hopper full of balls and feed yourself drop feeds with you standing about 3 feet behind the service line. You can practice low feeds and higher feeds and work on getting the feel for the movement, spins and targeting. Use a wider stance and get lower by bending at the knee on low balls.

Thank you sooooo much for these. I think for the next few weeks, I'll aim to do drop feeds and/or just solely focus a lot of my practice on consistently getting it over the net and in and focusing on how high I want it over the net. After I get a tad more confident with that, I'll start placing shots more and thinking about targets, haha. Currently, I love my backhand wayyyy more than my forehand, I comfortably can hit a topspin backhand approaching shot pretty well actually, most of my cries for help were directly more towards my forehand side, which I'll implement these types of practice to improve!

There are multiple ways to practice such balls. Key thing is “practice” - it’s not something you can solve with an off-court “a-ha” tip.

There’re ways to hit it: more calm and controlled, or full-throttle, but with spin mostly, or flattening them out low over the net. But first and foremost I’d go for the following:
- Use full free swing, but not max-effort one, and land the shot 9 times out of ten. Find out how much spin you need and what trajectory is best. Practice off feeds, use every rally opportunity to step in and hit it
- Also figure out how to place this shot where you want it. Not exactly on the line, but to good target.

Once you can do it confidently, you have basic range of options: you can approach DTL or into the weaker wing/body; you can put ball away if you have good opening to hit through (including angled shots); or you can simply put pressure on your opponent setting him on the run and finishing with the next shot through the opening.

Overall, you can keep developing strong shots, but try to find that range where you are happy to hit dozen of those shots in a row - don’t rush to finish the point. Play it, enjoy the rally going on and on. Same with shorter ball - play it, don’t go to make it over as a coin flip

Yeah, I don't think I've really learned anything off-court that truly just clicked without consistent practice, I was more or less looking for a mindset/place to start. Like how to approach the shot and such. I'll definitely implement many of these, but I will not take the advice on not rushing to finish the point. I don't care if I start losing to 2.5s! I will blast every shot until that consistency slowly builds. Terrible recreational mindset, but hoping to be an infinitely worse recreational Rublev. Keeping the rally going and pushing in matches until the opponent messes up doesn't feel good to me!



Again, thank you, everyone, for all of the replies. I genuinely appreciate it, and I have a rough idea on where to begin and how I want to start improving!

 

[Dragy]

but I will not take the advice on not rushing to finish the point. I don't care if I start losing to 2.5s! I will blast every shot until that consistency slowly builds. Terrible recreational mindset, but hoping to be an infinitely worse recreational Rublev. Keeping the rally going and pushing in matches until the opponent messes up doesn't feel good to me!

Look at Rublev now as he wins more and more tough matches. He blasts the ball, but he’s ready to hit multiple of those shots to end the point. It’s fun to make those shots again and again. To hit one and go collect balls, either winner or error? Actually not so much.

If your opponent manages to dig that ball again and again - good for him and fun challenge for you.

It’s controversial maybe for beginner, but the more you are ready to hit multiple shots rather than end it right here at any cost, the more winners you end up hitting.

 

[Fintft]

Be stable and balanced, don't run thru the ball.

 

[dannyslicer]

This is why even a bad drop shot is so effective against lower level players

 

[dandruffkb]

Look at Rublev now as he wins more and more tough matches. He blasts the ball, but he’s ready to hit multiple of those shots to end the point. It’s fun to make those shots again and again. To hit one and go collect balls, either winner or error? Actually not so much.

If your opponent manages to dig that ball again and again - good for him and fun challenge for you.

It’s controversial maybe for beginner, but the more you are ready to hit multiple shots rather than end it right here at any cost, the more winners you end up hitting.

Oh no, I 100% know you're right, I'm just relatively stubborn on how I want to play, and I'm fully aware that I'm wrong

Most beginners between 3.0 - 3.5 that I've played with actually seem to prioritize consistency and props to them, and I also focus on consistency when it comes to rallies and practice... but I for some reason have a blast in my current matches right now are just me blasting balls and having a great day or me blasting balls and having a terrible day. If I hit too long, I just add more topspin on my next forehand and repeat... I'll get over the mindset eventually and try to improve my shots at all areas of the court, but sitting at or behind the baseline and hitting with everything is how I enjoy tennis right now, and it's just when I leave the baseline, I look pathetic

Be stable and balanced, don't run thru the ball.

Yep... I know it's likely due to late recognition of a short ball, and that will come with experience, but I tend to rush through these balls a lot forcing a sprint and when I get there I catch it a little late or am completely off balanced (or both).

This is why even a bad drop shot is so effective against lower level players

well... at 3.5... there aren't many drop shots at all... there are a lot of attempts of them, but it's rarely even a drop shot, not even a bad one

 

[SouthOrangeTennis]

Hey everyone!
I am 24 and picked up tennis a year ago and have pretty much played 6-7 days a week since w/ private lessons and sometimes multiple sessions a day, but I'm running into a huge issue in my matches.

I rally with plenty of people who play in 4.0-4.5 (met through clinics or other students of coach) and play some matches sometimes and tend to get 6/3'd at best and bageled at worst, but I always feel like I know where I'm messing up or simply getting outplayed.

In terms of matches in my local league, I'm still fairly new and play at a low 3.5 level, and if it's baseline to baseline, I tend to win those points, but I have a very Rublev mentality of bashing balls and crushing whatever I can and lack a lot of patience. It goes well most of the time at this level, but there are plenty of times where my opponent mishits or simply blocks my groundstroke, and the ball lands either at the service line or shorter and I mess these up more than 50% of the time. It feels like I'm giving away soooo many points.

In terms of this, what exactly should I focus on? I understand I am clearly more comfortable at the baseline, but once I've been given a short ball to attack, it feels like a coinflip. How much spin should I add? If it's higher and I want to flatten it out, I get afraid of it going in the net. If I add too much spin and it just pops up for them and lands short, I just look stupid. I've watched plenty of videos, and in a match setting, I just can't seem to execute it.

I had an idea to just punch it back in and sprint back to the baseline lol, but obviously, I'm looking to improve even if I lose another 50 games to learn the correct thing to do.

I've fully accepted that the better player and the one that makes less errors win, and I am beyond okay if I lose a match cos I overhit my groundstrokes a few too many times and make unforced errors as I enjoy playing like that, but I usually know why a specific hit sailed long. However, once I am put in a position to hit an approaching shot, I feel like a lost puppy...

Here is a video from raquetflex that may be useful on strategy and footwork for short balls.

I have similar issues as someone who has strong baseline ground strokes and likes to hit harder. Simply practicing shorter balls to get the reps helps a lot with your placement/consistency. It is also often good to place the ball deep with less speed and follow in to net (you are starting inside the court) and finish the point one shot later with a volley.

Another thing I learned recently that was counterintuitive - opponents at many levels have a harder time returning balls that are higher/more spin landing deep in the court than faster shots (even those deep in the court). When you crush baseline ground strokes with a fairly flat trajectory it bounces in a comfortable zone to return.

 

[Dragy]

Another thing I learned recently that was counterintuitive - opponents at many levels have a harder time returning balls that are higher/more spin landing deep in the court than faster shots (even those deep in the court). When you crush baseline ground strokes with a fairly flat trajectory it bounces in a comfortable zone to return.

That’s true, but you don’t need to hit at them. Being close up against a ball that sits up allows you to hit hard and wide away, through the open court. It’s usually better to take some time to align for better shot placement, letting the ball drop into preferred stroke zone, rather than go to hit it from shoulder height very hard, but to the opponent.

I mean, I’ve been doing it again and again - focusing on the ball to much, on crushing it hard, only to send it right onto my opponent with 50/50 success rate, getting lobbed or block-passed too frequently.

 

[optic yellow]

If it's low run up onto it and rip topspin draw with a more vertical stroke (look at Nadal reverse forehand for inspiration) and if it's high try darting it wherever they aren't with an arm stroke.

 

[Dakota C]

@dandruffkb your current issue is that handling short balls triggers the mental response of 'oh crap' - this is more relevant than your technique.
The most efficient way to remove this 'oh crap' response is by doing drills that emulate the scenario, over and over.
If I had to pick the best 'starter' approach/net drill that notably improved my approach consistency and volleys, it would be:

The playing zone is half court (no doubles alleys) straight ahead, as a cooperative drill - the other person feeds a pretty easy ball that lands around your service line - you take it as an approach shot, and close towards the net to be ready to volley - your opponent can't lob - and then you two keep the baseline / volley rally going as long as possible.

The foundation of the approach and net game is 'controlled calmness'.
Only once you can approach and volley as calmly as you do rallying at the baseline will you be able to effectively add 'offensive' pieces while retaining the consistency.

 

[slipgrip93]

Some 'handling short balls' videos on Meike's channel (yt search link).

 

[mpnv1990]

Six things to think about:

1. Angle of racquet face at contact. Is it open, closed, or neutral?

2. Racquet path. Are you going through the ball, low to high, or high to low?

3. How much you are contacting the ball. Are you skimming the ball or hitting too much of it?

4. How big is your backswing.

5. How fast are you swinging?

6. How good is your technique?

 

[dandruffkb]

Just a rough update, I took a lot of advice from everyone, and it's gotten a lot better, so thank you for that! I basically have been doing tons of drills and even dedicate a portion of my private lessons every time to handle shots like these, and fast forward, I'm currently at the top of my league right now and am looking to be moved up!

But overall, I was very confident at the baseline and I know it may be dumb, but oddly enough... in this thread, the thing that stuck with me the most was

@dandruffkb your current issue is that handling short balls triggers the mental response of 'oh crap'

Seems simple and way less about everything I was concerned about, but being glued to the baseline for so long, my footwork was disgustingly horrid towards the net, felt like glue every time I had to run up to handle a short ball, and when I got there, my momentum would just stop moving forward after making contact, my racket would just be down low to my side, and everything just felt wrong even when it was successful. So yeah... definitely an 'oh crap' moment every time I was given these balls

But in the last month, I get pretty hyphy to hit these and am no longer afraid to put these balls away and even when I mess up, I at least know WHY I messed up which is what's important now!

There are still times when I hit it a tad too deep or into the net and very low balls that I'm late to on my backhand side tend to just be popped up as signs of desperation of getting it back in play, so there's still plenty to work on... but in the last 2 months, I'm way more confident at handling shorter/junkier balls and either hitting a winner or at least setting a winner/volley up in the shot after!

 

[optic yellow]

Just a rough update, I took a lot of advice from everyone, and it's gotten a lot better, so thank you for that! I basically have been doing tons of drills and even dedicate a portion of my private lessons every time to handle shots like these, and fast forward, I'm currently at the top of my league right now and am looking to be moved up!

But overall, I was very confident at the baseline and I know it may be dumb, but oddly enough... in this thread, the thing that stuck with me the most was

Seems simple and way less about everything I was concerned about, but being glued to the baseline for so long, my footwork was disgustingly horrid towards the net, felt like glue every time I had to run up to handle a short ball, and when I got there, my momentum would just stop moving forward after making contact, my racket would just be down low to my side, and everything just felt wrong even when it was successful. So yeah... definitely an 'oh crap' moment every time I was given these balls

But in the last month, I get pretty hyphy to hit these and am no longer afraid to put these balls away and even when I mess up, I at least know WHY I messed up which is what's important now!

There are still times when I hit it a tad too deep or into the net and very low balls that I'm late to on my backhand side tend to just be popped up as signs of desperation of getting it back in play, so there's still plenty to work on... but in the last 2 months, I'm way more confident at handling shorter/junkier balls and either hitting a winner or at least setting a winner/volley up in the shot after!

What @Dakota C said there really could be applied to almost anything someone is struggling with lol. Good insight to keep in mind in general for periods of introspection.

 

[jz000]

Just hit a wide shot and run to the net (alllll the way).
If you get lobbed, fine. But most of the time at 3.5, they'll panic and mishit.
If you have good topspin/slice, it's hard for them to lob anyway.
The flat shots are easy to lob/counter for passing shots btw.

This will keep the points short, and the probabilities of winning the point should be over 66% imo.
And luck will either be or against you when you play net game . It evens out better players (4.5s)

 

[toth]

Low short incoming balls to my bh is a problem for me too.
I dont feel the racket face angle or the technique, my bh slce replies are often floaties.
In case of deeper incoming slices my slices are better.

 

[optic yellow]

Low short incoming balls to my bh is a problem for me too.
I dont feel the racket face angle or the technique, my bh slce replies are often floaties.
In case of deeper incoming slices my slices are better.

Lack of feeling is just something you have to train with repetition. Get a can of flat balls and find either a wall or a hitting partner who wants to practice sending things to your backhand.

 

[socallefty]

Definitely practice hitting on the run while moving forward as that is a weakness for many rec players - you have to know where to stop, when to turn, when to takeback, how much to bend knees to start the swing low, how much to brush up on the ball to get enough spin with a shorter court etc.

Most rec players make many mid-court errors when forced to hit on the run and when they have to hit low balls. So, if an opponent hits a lot of low slices that are short angles or short balls that are almost like drop-shots, it can force a lot of errors on the run where the contact point is low.

In the short-term, stand closer on returns and play them closer from the baseline during rallies - hitting on the rise is a good strategy if you can do it. Hit deep more to the middle of the court rather than to the corners if they cannot overpower you from the baseline as they will have less angles that they can hit short. A short ball to the middle is easier to deal with than one near the sidelines that is moving toward the alleys. If you can finish well at the net, just hit a well-placed approach shot off the short, low ball and come to the net rather than trying to hit a powerful, forcing shot and staying back at the baseline.

For the longer-term, take some coaching lessons to deal better with short balls, hitting on the run, hitting winners off slow/low balls, rallying against slice shots etc. The coach will give you a lot of feeds and improve your footwork and your ability to get your knees low, get your racquet-head below the low ball and have a more vertical swingpath to brush up on the ball and impart more spin. Good luck!

 

[Pass750]

Don’t feel the need to hit a perfect clean winner. Good enough will lower risk of hitting it out and even if they get it back, your right at net to hit an easy volley winner.

And I think ability to put away short balls is a strong indicator of level, if you can’t do it well you need to get better as a tennis player.

 

[socallefty]

And I think ability to put away short balls is a strong indicator of level,

Pushers win up to 4.0 when opponents make many errors when they try to punish the short balls and ‘suicide zone’ middle balls that pushers invariably give them. Once you reach a level where players don’t make too many errors dealing with easy shots like short balls and middle balls with medium depth, pushers stop being gatekeepers to higher levels. Generally it is players who have good fundamentals to hit on the run vertically, hit well off low balls, hit into shorter court with enough spin to have good control etc. that win most points when they get a short ball.

 

[dannyslicer]

Just hit a wide shot and run to the net (alllll the way).

No, you split step at opponent's contact

 

[Pass750]

Pushers win up to 4.0 when opponents make many errors when they try to punish the short balls and ‘suicide zone’ middle balls that pushers invariably give them. Once you reach a level where players don’t make too many errors dealing with easy shots like short balls and middle balls with medium depth, pushers stop being gatekeepers to higher levels. Generally it is players who have good fundamentals to hit on the run vertically, hit well off low balls, hit into shorter court with enough spin to have good control etc. that win most points when they get a short ball.

Yes, great analysis

I am a strong 4.0 with very good tennis skills, get everything back and super consistent. The only people I lose to are 4.0s who can hit me off the court and finish at net, there are not a lot of those. I can hold my own at 4.5, but those players crush the short balls and rarely miss at net when they hit me off court and I get it back.

 

[jz000]

No, you split step at opponent's contact

Yes, but huh?

 

[jz000]

@Pass750
I'm guessing you have a loopy topspin rally ball at 4.0
Annoying but effective =x
Also guessing a 2hbh

I slice a lot 1hbh. Guess we'll have long rallies, unless I can hit my wide serves 75% of the time.
If I can get my 1hbh to handle those loopy topspin balls, I'd be set to try 4.5
I also come to the net quite often to pressure them. Ends the point quick either way.

 

[ichaseballs]

short balls need

1. good footwork - get up to the ball
2. more spin - less distance to travel, so really focus on brushing vs driving

 

[Dragy]

2. more spin - less distance to travel, so really focus on brushing vs driving

This very much depends on the height of bounce. If high, it’s important to be able to hit them flat and low over the net. Imparting topsin always adds a bit of randomness in lift, and closer in this may cause sending balls too high and long. While hitting flatter (fade spin best) from close up is very safe.

Another thing is to avoid hitting too high balls from close up. Let them drop a bit to your strikezone.