Having Trouble w/ Certain Playing Styles

[TennisFrkJC92]

I'm having trouble playing against players who hit hard flat shots. When i return the balls, they go FLYING~ into the fences. And i'm pretty much blocking the ball back with no big swing. Also, my Semi western grip is making it hard for me to hit over low shots with power.

Another trouble is playing against serve and volley players. Every time they come up, i get nervous and i try to hit a passing shot but i miss and if i try to lob, i lob too low and receive an overhead.

Anyone have any suggestions for me on dealing with these type of players?

 

[Swissv2]

With a semi-western grip you should be able to impart topspin easily on the ball to keep it in the court. Power is not the key with low shots, angle is.

Against serve and volley players, if you cannot pass them then hit to their weaker side with a low or high ball.

 

[Steady Eddy]

Against a serve and volley player be heartless and always lob to their backhand. How do you like it when someone lobs to your backhand? Even if they get to it almost all backhand smashes lack power and can easily be retrieved.

Don't be concerned with mixing it up if this tactic gives them trouble. Keep it up until they despair of going to the net against you.

 

[dave333]

Don't fight fire with fire.

In other words, use his pace, don't try to create more. Creating more is asking for errors.

As for serve and volleys, don't immediately go for the passing shot. You can try smackin the ball harder at him or hit heavy topspin shots that dip.

 

[Gantz]

try slices to his flat shots. treat the shots when the volleyers come up as approach shots. if you're lobbing it but it's too low, try lobbing it too high. it'll probably go in the court then.

 

[In D Zone]

I'm having trouble playing against players who hit hard flat shots. When i return the balls, they go FLYING~ into the fences. And i'm pretty much blocking the ball back with no big swing. Also, my Semi western grip is making it hard for me to hit over low shots with power.

Another trouble is playing against serve and volley players. Every time they come up, i get nervous and i try to hit a passing shot but i miss and if i try to lob, i lob too low and receive an overhead.

Anyone have any suggestions for me on dealing with these type of players?

Countering a hard flat shots:
1. Take the ball early - employing a short stroke / block the key but you need to keep your eye on the prize (ball). If your return is sailing over fences that means your racquet is face upward, make some minor adjust by tilting you racquet facing down - this should help direct the ball downward. Also, keep your follow through short and right about shoulder height. Use you feet, move into the cross fire - imagine your self and use the racquet as the back board.

2. Chip back to the game - another great counter measure. Chip the ball by slicing it- forehand or backhand. If you are late to block the ball on the rise, so why no slice it by going under the ball while in flight. One important key > You must quickly change your grip to continental, or eastern-forehand or eastern backhand.

Countering S/V Players:

When playing against someone on the net.... rule#1 do not look at or who is the net; eye on the ball, move your feet and relax. Ball is coming fast at you, not time to sit and look at the opponent.

1. Topspin dippers! hit a soft topspin that dips down when it crosses the net. This forces the net player to dip their racquet down to get the ball. With the ball is coming low, the net player will have to tap the ball higher to clear the net.

2. Low flat shot to the body. Basically, taking the ball right at the opponent. Again, keeping the ball low to your opponent helps increases their % of error.

3. Passing shot - I would use this if I have time to prep, hitting the ball on the open side of the court.

4. Slice it! swinging a big forehand or backhand requires time, if you are late or got hit with a fast volley. SLICE it back and play the next point!

5. Lob - I am sure everyone knows this one.

6. PRACTICE! It does not happen overnight.... incorporate playing against volley drills everytime to you at out their practicing / playing.

 

[Bagumbawalla]

Against the player who hits low and flat-- If you ball sails high, it means your racket face is too open (tilted too much up toward the sky).

Hold the racket face closer to vertical and try hitting through the ball from slightly below to slightly above-- aim about a foot over the net. The natural topspin created from the stroke will help drive the ball back down into the opponent's court. Knowing HOW to hit the ball is not the same as actually being able to do it in a match. You need to practice these things-- hundreds of times so they come naturally when you need them.

Once you begin to aquire more confidence in your strokes, you will not fear the net-rushers so much.

In the mean time, try this-- whenever you hit any ball-- every ball-- hit it with a porpous, to a specific spot. Watch the ball as it travels over the net. Note how close it came to the intended position. Do this every time. Eventually, you will start being able to control the direction of your shots more effectively.

Then, when the player comes to the net, you pick your shot (whatever shot you choose) hit it there, beyond the reach of the opponent, or over his/her head, or at his/her feet--- and so on.

Good luck,

B