How to hit short sitters ? Hot to hit winners from short, weak balls?

[yanni]

I use a strategy where I hit high balls on the opponents backhand: Sooner or later he will return a weak short ball that lands around the service line. I switch to "attack" mode, run forwards and all I can do is give him a weak return. At this point I am standing at the net and he has all the time to return my weak ball where he wants.

Instead of this I think I should be able to use those short sitters and play winners or at least give him a hard time returning those and hit a volley after that.

I don't quite understand how to hit those balls which have low pace, are short and have some decent height. If am hitting them flat the seem to go behind the base line. Too much top spin and they go into the net. I have the feeling I am missing a big chance here. Could a solution be swinging flat but changing the grip (forehand) more downwards ?

Or could this be a solution to the problem?

I notice I prepare high and finish high.

Thanks for your help.

 

[r2473]

It's interesting to me that you are playing tactical / positional tennis at the baseline ("I use a strategy where I hit high balls on the opponents backhand: Sooner or later he will return a weak short ball"), but then want to switch to a power / hit winners mentality on the short ball ( "Instead of this I think I should be able to use those short sitters and play winners")

Can you tell me why that is?

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

I use a strategy where I hit high balls on the opponents backhand: Sooner or later he will return a weak short ball that lands around the service line. I switch to "attack" mode, run forwards and all I can do is give him a weak return. At this point I am standing at the net and he has all the time to return my weak ball where he wants.

Instead of this I think I should be able to use those short sitters and play winners or at least give him a hard time returning those and hit a volley after that.

I don't quite understand how to hit those balls which have low pace, are short and have some decent height. If am hitting them flat the seem to go behind the base line. Too much top spin and they go into the net. I have the feeling I am missing a big chance here. Could a solution be swinging flat but changing the grip (forehand) more downwards ?

Thanks for your help.

It could be your footwork [you stop moving prematurely], swing path [too flat], mindset [you overhit or are tentative]...many things.

Hitting flat is OK if you're very close to the net. The further away you are, the less margin you have. High level players tend to use TS to allow them to swing fast and still get good margin. It sounds like you might simply need to adjust your trajectory so that the mid-point of the ball's path is further away from you.

Try standing at the SL and drop feeding balls [they will have no pace and you can adjust the height]: hit a good amount of TS and adjust when they go into the net. Aim 4-5' inside the lines [BL or sideline]. Start at 50% power and work your way up as you achieve better accuracy.

Take a look at the below and see if anything resonates:

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

It's interesting to me that you are playing tactical / positional tennis at the baseline ("I use a strategy where I hit high balls on the opponents backhand: Sooner or later he will return a weak short ball"), but then want to switch to a power / hit winners mentality on the short ball ( "Instead of this I think I should be able to use those short sitters and play winners")

Can you tell me why that is?

Note he also included "or at least give him a hard time returning those and hit a volley after that.".

 

[r2473]

In terms of the actual shot, you just have to balance the two forces you apply to the tennis ball. Namely, "rotational" and "linear".

If you are taking these short balls above the height of the net, you don't have to swing very hard. Just choose your target. Then hit a "topspin drive". Again, you don't need to crush it. Just get the center of the ball spinning. You just want to illicit a weak reply from your opponent (that you can now volley), or make him take a low percentage passing shot.

If you are having trouble with the topspin drive (hitting long or into the net), you could try putting sidespin on the ball instead. This cuts down on the linear force (you swing sideways, not out) and the sidespin gives you the rotational force (margin, safety) you want. I think it's an easier shot to execute for most people.

 

[yanni]

It's interesting to me that you are playing tactical / positional tennis at the baseline ("I use a strategy where I hit high balls on the opponents backhand: Sooner or later he will return a weak short ball"), but then want to switch to a power / hit winners mentality on the short ball ( "Instead of this I think I should be able to use those short sitters and play winners")

I started playing around a year ago. To me this sound "like a plan" which seems to work. But could be I am wrong with this.

 

[r2473]

Note he also included "or at least give him a hard time returning those and hit a volley after that.".

That is the high percentage play IMO, but from the question, I doubt the OP is doing that, or he wouldn't be asking the question.

The mistake most people make on short balls is trying for the outright winner. Why would you do this. You are in a winning position. You don't need to take such risk.

 

[yanni]

In the videos you posted I am seeing the guys finishing lower than I do. I think I may try that. I will also play around with top spin / flat hits.

 

[yanni]

That is the high percentage play IMO, but from the question, I doubt the OP is doing that, or he wouldn't be asking the question.

The mistake most people make on short balls is trying for the outright winner. Why would you do this. You are in a winning position. You don't need to take such risk.

No I am not trying to hit an outright winner. This could mean something like 100% of power. I am currently hitting with 30%-50% of power just to stay inside the court. And this makes it totally easy for the opponent to prepare a passing shot. Something like 70% of power would be good. But when I do this balls either go out or into the net.

 

[FiReFTW]

Ur playing for 1 year, its going to take a long time till you will be comfortable and confident finishing such easy balls with confidence and consistency, give it time.

 

[yanni]

Yeah I realized its more difficult than it seems. But still I would like to practise this and get better at doing it.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

In the videos you posted I am seeing the guys finishing lower than I do. I think I may try that. I will also play around with top spin / flat hits.

I'm not sure the finish is the most important thing at this point: if you are hitting flat shots long and TS shots into the net, what seems more important is adjusting the drive:TS ratio so you can reliably get the ball in with a decent amount of power without sacrificing accuracy/placement.

 

[yanni]

I mainly play those shots flat at the moment. I will try it with more topspin. Moving / running into the ball and get the correct timing is not the easiest thing to do. I think this is part of the problem.

 

[FiReFTW]

Yeah I realized its more difficult than it seems. But still I would like to practise this and get better at doing it.

By all means practice it, and practice it hard! Just saying even when u can do it in practice 30 times out of 30, matchplay is a whole different thing, nerves and focus in a match are extremely big.

And that takes alot of time and matchplay.

 

[rogerroger917]

There is a technical element to the short ball depending on how high the bounce and where in the court the short ball is. Usually there is a pattern of play involved as well that setup the short reply. Lots of things to practice. Also advanced players rarely miss short balls and the majority are outright winner. Because its practiced as a finishing shot. And yes they practice to finish the point on that ball. But will follow with volley as part of the pattern if needed.

For you just keep practicing. But watch advanced players and see how they handle the same ball.

 

[FiReFTW]

There is a technical element to the short ball depending on how high the bounce and where in the court the short ball is. Usually there is a pattern of play involved as well that setup the short reply. Lots of things to practice. Also advanced players rarely miss short balls and the majority are outright winner. Because its practiced as a finishing shot. And yes they practice to finish the point on that ball. But will follow with volley as part of the pattern if needed.

For you just keep practicing. But watch advanced players and see how they handle the same ball.

Always amazing insight from you!

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

I mainly play those shots flat at the moment. I will try it with more topspin. Moving / running into the ball and get the correct timing is not the easiest thing to do. I think this is part of the problem.

Which is why I mentioned "footwork" in my initial list of 3 things.

 

[Morch Us]

What is your thinking process on this shot, which is essentially an approach shot? Just like you had a plan from baseline for the neutral shot, what is your plan on the approach shot?

If there is no specific thoughts other than hit a "good shot" that is definitely not enough, since you maybe at a positional disadvantage. For the same reason, just getting the ball back is also not enough. Different players play the approach shot differently, and so I am hesistant to drive you towards a specific thing.

Some of the common methods are:
1. Keep it low (flater or slice), and maybe down the line to deep/midcourt, to make the opponent stretch and pop the ball up for next volley/overhead.
2. Keep it deep and top-spinny, or short angle and top-spinning moving away from the opponent after bounce, to increase the chance of error from opponent, and be ready to cleanup the random lucky returns back.
3. Keep it backspinning or sidespinning short angle or even a drop shot, and be ready to cleanup the next shot. There are some dangers if you misjudge how fast your opponent can get to the ball, but eventually your instincts will get better.

Either way since the distrance of the ball from the racket to the first bounce is a lot less than from baseline, it is easier to overhit. It is a different shot, but a lot easier to get targets from there. So the court opens up when you hit that approach shots and a bit more aggressive placements can be achived more easier, without hitting a harder shot.

No I am not trying to hit an outright winner. This could mean something like 100% of power. I am currently hitting with 30%-50% of power just to stay inside the court. And this makes it totally easy for the opponent to prepare a passing shot. Something like 70% of power would be good. But when I do this balls either go out or into the net.

 

[WesternCK]

If you can’t hit these balls with pace, I’d continue to at least target a weakness of your opponent on the approach. You seem to be attacking this specific opponent’s backhand and I would continue to do so even on your approach shot rather than thinking about how hard you’re hitting them. 95% of my approach shots are to my opponent’s backhand side. As for the height of the ball, you should try to hit the ball in your preferred strike zone. I’d often suggest hitting on the rise, but since you’re discussing a short and weak reply with height, you either need to get better at your overheads, incorporate a high touch slice shot, or let the ball come down a little lower in your comfort zone. When it comes to a lower finish, it’s usually indicative that the player went for a more aggressive or flat shot, but I would say it’s a byproduct of the shot selection itself, rather than ever being consciously forced.

 

[Dan R]

If the ball is above the net then you can hit it relatively flat with pace, but your target for these balls should be just pass your opponents service line. You should not be trying to hit into the corner - you don't need to hit in the corner, a well hit ball from near the net should take away enough time from your opponent that they can't get to it unless you hit it right at them. This way if you hit it a little long you should be fine.

If the ball is below the net then you are going to have to use spin to get it up and over the net and down.

Another option is to not hit it hard but to hit it easy, short, and angle the ball off the court. The idea is to hit the ball so that it bounces in the opponents service box, and the second bounce will be outside the doubles alley. That way if they get to it they will be playing a ball that's at their feet, on a dead run, and they will be completely off the court - step in and volley that ball into the open court.

 

[r2473]

There is a technical element to the short ball depending on how high the bounce and where in the court the short ball is. Usually there is a pattern of play involved as well that setup the short reply. Lots of things to practice. Also advanced players rarely miss short balls and the majority are outright winner.

At what level of play would you suggest going for an outright winner?

At lower levels than what you answered above, what would you suggest is the proper play?

 

[ChaelAZ]

I practice high balls often, both short and inside the baseline. Swing is pretty flat, though as I am hitting back past the service line to inside the baseline I do still shape the ball a bit more.

Just practice. I do a drill where I have deep fed balls with a lot of top spin that I try to hit back deep - which is how I usually get a short ball - then have a short/high ball feed for the put away.


Probably posting from the court between sets.

 

[user92626]

If am hitting them flat the seem to go behind the base line. Too much top spin and they go into the net.

Dude, you already know and wrote your own answer in your post, specifically in the above sentence.

Naturally, hit something in between the two choices.

If you are asking how, there are things to do that increase your success with executing: a compact swing, keep your eyes longer on the ball since it has a different pace that you're not used to; have a target spot above the net that produces a good placement per your swing.

After you have mastered all the mechanics, time to shift some of your processor's capacity to watching the opponent (placement, tendencies) and direct your shot optimally. Don't move to this step if you're still missing, framing the shot mechanically.

 

[rogerroger917]

At what level of play would you suggest going for an outright winner?

At lower levels than what you answered above, what would you suggest is the proper play?

I don't know. My son started practicing it since age 7. As some point along the way in the past 10 years he stopped missing and the balls rarely came back.

 

[IowaGuy]

I don't quite understand how to hit those balls which have low pace, are short and have some decent height.

Yeah I realized its more difficult than it seems. But still I would like to practise this and get better at doing it.

Go out and give yourself some high-bouncing self-feeds from around the service line.

Can you consistently put them away?

 

[r2473]

I don't know. My son started practicing it since age 7. As some point along the way in the past 10 years he stopped missing and the balls rarely came back.

So you're saying just keep practicing outright winners until you are successful?

What do you think about hitting a less risky shot, to a target, in an attempt to exploit your opponents weakness? Especially for a player that has been playing for 1 year?

 

[FiReFTW]

I don't know. My son started practicing it since age 7. As some point along the way in the past 10 years he stopped missing and the balls rarely came back.

Well written! Goes exactly with what im experiencing in my short tennis path so far.

1.Takes time to develop the stroke, specially since balls are always slightly different, u need experience and repetition to get a feel for it
2.After it starts becoming proficient now ur raising the swing speed and it also takes time to get a feel for that
3.After that u start getting tougher balls which adds another layer of difficulty
4.After many repetition and getting rly good at the 3 first points u slowly start to develop this shot and master it so you basically only miss when other factors are not met like bad spacing, footwork slightly off, weird bounce suprizing you...after alot of time a improve these aspects slowly aswell and it becomes second nature and almost impossible to miss in practice
5.Now the hardest part to implement what you know how to do in match play where nerves are present, tight arm, looking at opponent instead of ball... this prolly takes the longest to become proficient at, but u keep improving as you play more and ur mote confident each time and trust ur shot more and more...so ut becomes easy to execute even in tough mental situations of match play.

So basicallyy my point is its a long process.

 

[rogerroger917]

So you're saying just keep practicing outright winners until you are successful?

What do you think about hitting a less risky shot, to a target, in an attempt to exploit your opponents weakness? Especially for a player that has been playing for 1 year?

The 1st drill my kid started with was the short ball down the line into backhand and approach for volley. Hit volley into open court. Age 7.

Like I said. He always just went for it. And as he got older and stronger and technically more complete the ball is moving like a bullet and hardly missed.

1 year in player just needs to practice. Like the kids when they start tennis.

 

[rogerroger917]

Well written! Goes exactly with what im experiencing in my short tennis path so far.

1.Takes time to develop the stroke, specially since balls are always slightly different, u need experience and repetition to get a feel for it
2.After it starts becoming proficient now ur raising the swing speed and it also takes time to get a feel for that
3.After that u start getting tougher balls which adds another layer of difficulty
4.After many repetition and getting rly good at the 3 first points u slowly start to develop this shot and master it so you basically only miss when other factors are not met like bad spacing, footwork slightly off, weird bounce suprizing you...after alot of time a improve these aspects slowly aswell and it becomes second nature and almost impossible to miss in practice
5.Now the hardest part to implement what you know how to do in match play where nerves are present, tight arm, looking at opponent instead of ball... this prolly takes the longest to become proficient at, but u keep improving as you play more and ur mote confident each time and trust ur shot more and more...so ut becomes easy to execute even in tough mental situations of match play.

So basicallyy my point is its a long process.

Typical post,

Thread starter: how do i crush sitters and hit 120mph serves in my usta matches? I'm losing because I can't do that.

Forum: you need to watch all these videos and stretch shorten cycle and 360 pomo and on and on. Or hit into weakness hit volley then overhead... pronate into serves while open stance or 3-O method.

Roger917: what level usta or junior competition?

Thread starter: usta 3.0

Roger917: facepalm...

 

[styksnstryngs]

No I am not trying to hit an outright winner. This could mean something like 100% of power. I am currently hitting with 30%-50% of power just to stay inside the court. And this makes it totally easy for the opponent to prepare a passing shot. Something like 70% of power would be good. But when I do this balls either go out or into the net.

Uhh, winners don't mean 100% power, just 80% with 100% placement.

 

[RetroSpin]

I mainly play those shots flat at the moment. I will try it with more topspin. Moving / running into the ball and get the correct timing is not the easiest thing to do. I think this is part of the problem.

This sounds like the problem. A short ball sitter has to be hit with a lot of topspin. You are hitting it from much closer to the opponent's baseline. You can shovel it back to him or try to hit a soft slice, but if you want to hit an offensive shot, you are going to have to hit with a lot of top. As much as you can generate. Now I am not saying loop it back. You hit it as flat as you can, which depends on the bounce and how close to the net you are. That's why it is so important to get on these balls fast before they drop.

 

[Nashvegas]

I mainly play those shots flat at the moment. I will try it with more topspin. Moving / running into the ball and get the correct timing is not the easiest thing to do. I think this is part of the problem.

Are you typically timing your approach so that you are still moving forward quickly when you hit the shot? Don’t do that. That makes the shot more difficult. Get up to the ball as quickly as needed so that you aren’t still rushing forward when you hit it.

 

[5263]

I use a strategy where I hit high balls on the opponents backhand: Sooner or later he will return a weak short ball that lands around the service line. I switch to "attack" mode, run forwards and all I can do is give him a weak return. At this point I am standing at the net and he has all the time to return my weak ball where he wants.

Instead of this I think I should be able to use those short sitters and play winners or at least give him a hard time returning those and hit a volley after that.

I don't quite understand how to hit those balls which have low pace,

Thanks for your help.

I really want to compliment you for being so far ahead of the avg Joe on this... in understanding how this game should be played and understood. Pretty rare to see from someone who has not learned to effectively go after the attackable mid ct ball yet, but it should greatly help your game if you can stay focused on this quest! Be aware, there have likely been many before you that hit this same point in their game and just never could learn how to execute in these opportunities, so they just cobbled together a way to play and enjoy the game around this hole in their abilities.

Imo this comes down to the "Dual Objectives" of understanding your targets better, along with a better understanding of the best ways to attack a Mid Ct ball. Once you understand the targets better, I hope you will see that it isn't so much about power as it is hitting the right target (or hitting lane) with the best choice of shots for the ball you are receiving. For example...if you get there and the ball has already dropped low, then you should have certain slices or dropshots to handle this mid ct attack opportunity. This thread has helped many to understand the targets better, so see if you have any questions about it....http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=413112&highlight=practice+for+Smarter+Targets

 

[yanni]

I really want to compliment you for being so far ahead of the avg Joe on this... in understanding how this game should be played and understood. Pretty rare to see from someone who has not learned to effectively go after the attackable mid ct ball yet, but it should greatly help your game if you can stay focused on this quest! Be aware, there have likely been many before you that hit this same point in their game and just never could learn how to execute in these opportunities, so they just cobbled together a way to play and enjoy the game around this hole in their abilities.

Imo this comes down to the "Dual Objectives" of understanding your targets better, along with a better understanding of the best ways to attack a Mid Ct ball. Once you understand the targets better, I hope you will see that it isn't so much about power as it is hitting the right target (or hitting lane) with the best choice of shots for the ball you are receiving. For example...if you get there and the ball has already dropped low, then you should have certain slices or dropshots to handle this mid ct attack opportunity. This thread has helped many to understand the targets better, so see if you have any questions about it....http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=413112&highlight=practice+for+Smarter+Targets

Thanks for the kind words. I played tennis in my youth for a bit but never took it seriously. Now I actually started with 43 years again. I did not have big expectations in my age. But I am very surprised that I am getting better and better. Its just takes effort und patience

I take some trainer lessons from time to time and also watching youtube helps quite a bit. But I think the most important factor is that I found a great trainer partner. We never play points but just try out stuff and work on our weaknesses. At the moment we are practising short sitters and high backhands which is a weakness of both of us. I am not interesting in hitting balls in a match and not getting any better. Actually I am not even interested in playing matches at all that much (which might seem a bit strange). I just enjoy working on my game.

From your posts (and some videos) I learned the following I will try now

• This is NOT an easy shot
• I should not run "through" the ball
• I should add some topspin to my stroke.
• I should try looking for the right targets
• I will self feed balls from the target line

Lots of stuff to try.

 

[FiReFTW]

This sounds like the problem. A short ball sitter has to be hit with a lot of topspin. You are hitting it from much closer to the opponent's baseline. You can shovel it back to him or try to hit a soft slice, but if you want to hit an offensive shot, you are going to have to hit with a lot of top. As much as you can generate. Now I am not saying loop it back. You hit it as flat as you can, which depends on the bounce and how close to the net you are. That's why it is so important to get on these balls fast before they drop.

Well said, if you take it fast and when it bounces over the net its perfect, you adjust your racquet face, loose grip and swing so that you hit the ball so its trajectory is flat and forward over the net with alot of spin, and its a very penetrating ball that dips down fast aswell, impossible to miss no matter how fast you swing.

If the ball drops bellow net level it becomes harder, you cant drive it as much anymore, you have to hit it slightly upward so it clears the net but also add alot of spin so you can hit at least a somewhat penetrating shot and it dips back down.

 

[yanni]

I am just talking above net level here. I think what you mean is described here. No loop and pretty straight swing but but he still adds topspin.

I tried 2 things which both did not work.

a) Hit flat (balls go out)
b) Swing from low to high to add top spin. Very difficult to do and did not work for me.

 

[FiReFTW]

I am just talking above net level here. I think what you mean is described here. No loop and pretty straight swing but but he still adds topspin.

I tried 2 things which both did not work.

a) Hit flat (balls go out)
b) Swing from low to high to add top spin. Very difficult to do and did not work for me.

Your not swinging low to high when above net level balls lol, your hitting through but you have a completely loose arm and close the racquet more so you get a ton of spin with a fairly flat trajectory.

 

[yanni]

Your not swinging low to high when above net level balls lol, your hitting through but you have a completely loose arm and close the racquet more so you get a ton of spin with a fairly flat trajectory.

Yes. I understand now what has to be done. Will try and report back Thanks for all the help.
I think this might help on hitting high balls in general.

 

[Curious]

I'm afraid the only solution is to hit lots of sitters to master it. Did you ever wonder why most rec players suck at overheads?

 

[yanni]

I'm afraid the only solution is to hit lots of sitters to master it. Did you ever wonder why most rec players suck at overheads?

Yes overheads are somewhat similar. Looks like an easy shot. But its not. And most people don't really train them. I will add those to my training plan

 

[Dimcorner]

Short, shoulder high sitters are my weakness too. I either send them out the back or put into net. To be honest I need to practice them a lot more. Coach tells me to let it drop a little more so that might be the solution for now for me.

However anything that I can hit as overhead I can put away about 90% of the time even from a little behind service box. Go figure :\

 

[Deleted member 23235]

my fave drill for topspin approach shots (that may or may not become a winner):
* self feed a low ball (knee height) around the service line
* self feed a low ball (knee height) around the service line, as a semi running fh/bh (ie. drill moving in, or diagonally in, while hitting it - increase distance as needed)
keys: get there early, adjusting steps, get low/stay low past contact (resist the urge to see where it went!), short backswing, alot of brush, full follow through

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Short, shoulder high sitters are my weakness too. I either send them out the back or put into net. To be honest I need to practice them a lot more. Coach tells me to let it drop a little more so that might be the solution for now for me.

However anything that I can hit as overhead I can put away about 90% of the time even from a little behind service box. Go figure :\

As an alternative, have you considered squatting low to hit those shoulder-height balls as a modified OH?

 

[5263]

I am just talking above net level here.

I tried 2 things which both did not work.

a) Hit flat (balls go out)
b) Swing from low to high to add top spin. Very difficult to do and did not work for me.

Try to develop a sort of side-topspin which you can hit flatter and closer to net, but there is still enough topspin to help out. THis shot should offer better net clearance control if done right.

 

[GustoKyrgios]

I am a cricket player turned tennis player. I am barely touching 3.5 and have been playing since the last 3-4 years now.

I have a good serve which meant that most returns to my serve used to be sitters. And just like you I used to fail putting away those short, high balls. I have improved on that reasonably by now and I can hit a mean flat stroke. I used my cricket skills and just like we are taught to ensure that we get on top of the ball while hitting a square cut to ensure it doesnt loop in to a catch, I get on top of the short ball. So my mantra for success with short, slow, high balls has been:
1. Ensure you position yourself to hit the ball when it reaches the top of the bounce. I also ensure that my hitting zone is at the maximum around my shoulder height which helps me to drive the ball. If higher, I prefer to crouch and hit an overhead. U usually get a half a millisecond longer when the ball reverses its journey. This will ensure that you don't mishit the ball since its not really travelling when its in your hitting zone.
2. Start high, end high as you are doing now - but hopefully like myself - with a semi western grip.
3. Target the area slightly above the net - as long as you hit a clean, hard stroke, you have a winner.

I agree with most posters that going for winners isn't the best strategy - but only in a 'match'. If you don't practice your winners, there is no joy in tennis.

 

[Steady Eddy]

I am just talking above net level here. I think what you mean is described here. No loop and pretty straight swing but but he still adds topspin.

I tried 2 things which both did not work.

a) Hit flat (balls go out)
b) Swing from low to high to add top spin. Very difficult to do and did not work for me.

What do you mean 'tried them'? So you tried them for one practice session and it didn't work? Maybe you're looking for results too soon?

Sometimes it seems there are two types of players: those who think tennis improvement is a lot of hard work, and those who think it's about knowing the "secrets". I lean much more to the first way.

 

[Traffic]

I'm afraid the only solution is to hit lots of sitters to master it. Did you ever wonder why most rec players suck at overheads?

When I first learned how to hit TS groundstrokes, I used too much of a brush stroke. Think exagerated windshield wiper. No power, but a good loopy ball path. I've learned to control this and hit shallow TS FH from mid-court and closer to just go over the net for clearance and quickly come back down. My racquet swing in terms of RHS is about the same as when I am at baseline, but more of the swing goes to creating spin that velocity. I pick and angle that would put a lot of pressure on them (could be open court, could be toward the alley, could be towards opponents feet).

Short, shoulder high sitters are my weakness too. I either send them out the back or put into net. To be honest I need to practice them a lot more. Coach tells me to let it drop a little more so that might be the solution for now for me.

However anything that I can hit as overhead I can put away about 90% of the time even from a little behind service box. Go figure :\

If it's too low to take as an OH. Too high to take as a ground stroke, I volley it. Nothing fancy. Nothing crazy. But I try to find the open court or the legs of the net person and drive it. You have some time, get into position, sell an OH or swinging volley if you can, then drive the volley where you want it to go.

 

[Doc Hollidae]

Don't hit for pace, hit for depth. Those short balls are approach shots, with the possibility of being winners. A ball hit deep, but with less pace is more effective than a short ball hit with pace.

You will want to shorten you backswing first of all and just make sure you get the ball back deep. Then your opponent has to put up a defensive shot and you can put the ball away on the next shot.

 

[yanni]

"Your not swinging low to high when above net level balls lol, your hitting through but you have a completely loose arm and close the racquet more so you get a ton of spin with a fairly flat trajectory."

I tried hitting flat with the racket pointing down for more top spin today. What can I say. I made every ball. No ball got into the net or out of the court. It also helped quite a lot hitting high balls in general. The way I hit the ball now the opponent had a hard time returning it and I also made some winners.

You will want to shorten you backswing first of all and just make sure you get the ball back deep. Then your opponent has to put up a defensive shot and you can put the ball away on the next shot.

Why would you shorten it ? To have more control ?

 

[FiReFTW]

"Your not swinging low to high when above net level balls lol, your hitting through but you have a completely loose arm and close the racquet more so you get a ton of spin with a fairly flat trajectory."

I tried hitting flat with the racket pointing down for more top spin today. What can I say. I made every ball. No ball got into the net or out of the court. It also helped quite a lot hitting high balls in general. The way I hit the ball now the opponent had a hard time returning it and I also made some winners.

Good, glad it helped, now just practice it alot and be aware that during matches specially on tight points you WILL get TIGHT sometimes and NERVIOUS and will miss these balls at times, you just need to keep at it and play more and more so you feel more confident and more comfortable and the tightness and nerves will creep in less and less.