I love being a PUSHER

[nhat8121]

it's so much fun. it's definitely much better than brainless ball bashing from the baseline. it's much more fun when you can smack the ball too.

it's less tiring, people get mad, it's so funny

of course, you can't win them all, some are just clearly better than you and you'll lose, but it's still so much fun

push push push smack drop lob

 

[LeeD]

Don't forget "dink, angle, and make them uncomfortable"....

 

[aphex]

it's so much fun. it's definitely much better than brainless ball bashing from the baseline. it's much more fun when you can smack the ball too.

it's less tiring, people get mad, it's so funny

of course, you can't win them all, some are just clearly better than you and you'll lose, but it's still so much fun

push push push smack drop lob

seriously, pushing can get you REALLY high at the recreational level...i'm talking 5.0 maybe 5.5...


don't listen to all the clowns here, they're just butthurt.

although i hate your kind i really respect you...

 

[jazzyfunkybluesy]

Argghh,

Just thinking about a pusher makes me want to slam something.

 

[decades]

yes but ball bashers get so much satisfaction when the 20% of balls they bash finds the court.

 

[StuckInMalibu]

it's so much fun. it's definitely much better than brainless ball bashing from the baseline. it's much more fun when you can smack the ball too.

it's less tiring, people get mad, it's so funny

of course, you can't win them all, some are just clearly better than you and you'll lose, but it's still so much fun

push push push smack drop lob

How is pushing not mindless hitting from the baseline?

 

[nhat8121]

but I hate it when I play another pusher, it's not fun at all.

 

[nhat8121]

How is pushing not mindless hitting from the baseline?

I guess one have to know how to push instead of mindless pushing then

 

[papa]

Although I think some can play the game quite well, I've never enjoyed playing a pusher, a true pusher anyway. Make me have to think too much I guess and the only way I've found effective is to not give them a lot of pace and more them around. Low slices seem to work the best.

 

[nhat8121]

yeah i agree, push all day would suck...the moment i get a short ball, imma smack the heck out of it...or dropshot. Just can't be pushing all day, that would be lame, and you can't improve your game...

 

[Funbun]

I don't push, I counterpunch. Shot placement and selection is especially important to me. I rather construct points rather than smacking balls back.

 

[HunterST]

seriously, pushing can get you REALLY high at the recreational level...i'm talking 5.0 maybe 5.5...


don't listen to all the clowns here, they're just butthurt.

although i hate your kind i really respect you...

That's absolutely untrue. No pusher is going to win more than a game or 2 off of a true 5.0, let alone a 5.5.

There seems to be a misconception about what a pusher is. A pusher is someone who has undeveloped strokes and has little to no pace, placement or spin on their shots.

A pusher is NOT anyone who is consistent as everyone seems to think. A player who has little pace on his shots, but can place them with pin-point accuracy is no more of a pusher than someone with a blistering forehand but makes 3 unforced errors a game. They just have different skill sets.

 

[r2473]

That's absolutely untrue. No pusher is going to win more than a game or 2 off of a true 5.0, let alone a 5.5.

There seems to be a misconception about what a pusher is. A pusher is someone who has undeveloped strokes and has little to no pace, placement or spin on their shots.

A pusher is NOT anyone who is consistent as everyone seems to think. A player who has little pace on his shots, but can place them with pin-point accuracy is no more of a pusher than someone with a blistering forehand but makes 3 unforced errors a game. They just have different skill sets.

I think most people think of a "pusher" as a guy that wins by out thinking (as opposed to out hitting) their opponents. Usually by means of conservative, steady play and very good defensive skills.

The definition of pusher is so wide and varied. The term really has little if any meaning without seeing the "pusher" in question in action.

I hit shots with high net clearance, lots of spin, and large margins for error (I'm not really a moonballer because I hit with decent pace and not "that much" net clearance). I try to keep my opponent deep. My hope is that either my opponent will get anxious and try to force things (usually making more errors than winners) or leave me a short ball.

I have been called a pusher.

 

[nadalfan4life]

That's absolutely untrue. No pusher is going to win more than a game or 2 off of a true 5.0, let alone a 5.5.

There seems to be a misconception about what a pusher is. A pusher is someone who has undeveloped strokes and has little to no pace, placement or spin on their shots.

A pusher is NOT anyone who is consistent as everyone seems to think. A player who has little pace on his shots, but can place them with pin-point accuracy is no more of a pusher than someone with a blistering forehand but makes 3 unforced errors a game. They just have different skill sets.

I agree. Pushers have undeveloped strokes. The way I can tell someone is a pusher is if they manly use slice and seem to only win points by you missing a point or by hitting an unintentional drop shot that hits off their frame.

 

[raiden031]

I'm not a pusher, quite the opposite, but have a fun time playing my style of game. I can beat the typical 3.5 pushers, so I'm getting the last laugh.

In fact I enjoyed getting revenge on probably half a dozen pushers who beat me easily 3 years ago, and now can't even win a set off me.

 

[HunterST]

I think most people think of a "pusher" as a guy that wins by out thinking (as opposed to out hitting) their opponents. Usually by means of conservative, steady play and very good defensive skills.

The definition of pusher is so wide and varied. The term really has little if any meaning without seeing the "pusher" in question in action.

I hit shots with high net clearance, lots of spin, and large margins for error (I'm not really a moonballer because I hit with decent pace and not "that much" net clearance). I try to keep my opponent deep. My hope is that either my opponent will get anxious and try to force things (usually making more errors than winners) or leave me a short ball.

I have been called a pusher.

To me people that out think their opponent, and with similar playing styles to yours are counter-punchers. It seems like the term "pusher" refers to just "pushing" the ball over with no attention paid to placement, pace or spin.

When a pusher develops decent strokes and strategy they are no longer pushers in my eyes.

 

[samster]

it's so much fun. it's definitely much better than brainless ball bashing from the baseline. it's much more fun when you can smack the ball too.

it's less tiring, people get mad, it's so funny

of course, you can't win them all, some are just clearly better than you and you'll lose, but it's still so much fun

push push push smack drop lob

but I hate it when I play another pusher, it's not fun at all.

hahaha. that is funny!

 

[ChrisBackAtIt]

push push push smack drop lob

haahaa!! Reading that made me smash my racket into the ground in my mind.

 

[dunno]

I think most people think of a "pusher" as a guy that wins by out thinking (as opposed to out hitting) their opponents. Usually by means of conservative, steady play and very good defensive skills.

The definition of pusher is so wide and varied. The term really has little if any meaning without seeing the "pusher" in question in action.

I hit shots with high net clearance, lots of spin, and large margins for error (I'm not really a moonballer because I hit with decent pace and not "that much" net clearance). I try to keep my opponent deep. My hope is that either my opponent will get anxious and try to force things (usually making more errors than winners) or leave me a short ball.

I have been called a pusher.

yeah, the term pusher is not well defined at all. by some people's definition nadal would be a pusher. IMO most pros push the ball, but with very much spin and pace. I don't think a pusher should be considered to be a person that hits the ball with no spin or pace, that's why American tennis is in the crapshoots-nobody wants to push, they only want to bash.

 

[dana]

Interesting discussion. It seems there is no clear-cut definition of what a pusher really is. I think the type of player most people refer to as pushers get a bad rap, mainly because they win a lot and people who get beat by them don't like it. It can be an excuse - "I played a pusher. That's why I lost." Those so-called pushers are smart players and should be given credit for that. We all have certain types of players that deal us fits on the court. We just have to learn to play our game better so we can do better against them.

 

[Ultra2HolyGrail]

Not many can claim they are a true pusher and be proud of it. Or actually really be a pusher, consistent WALL player who can win. There are VERY few who can be what is called a true pusher (human Backboard) and be good at it.

And yes i think you can be a 7.0 player who pushes with nothing but junk (santoro). Although santoro has other skills that would not classify him as a pusher, he WOULD push all day long if he could get away with it and win.

And i highly doubt the OP is a true pusher (human Backboard) player. Since they are SO rare, the good ones. There are poser pushers who just arent very good at it.

 

[nhat8121]

I believe pushing is a style of play. Not dued to underdeveloped strokes...Benard Tomic's strokes aren't underdeveloped.

 

[smoothtennis]

I had to push the other day in a match for about four points in a row because of the type of game we were playing - if I lost any point in the next five or so, I would be out.

Anyways----I had great fun doing the 'pusher' thing, no pace, little spin, get it high and deep or just back. But, I was exhausted after five points against this good 4.0 who relentlessly sent me corner to corner and decided not to miss whil I pushed.

Let me just say - against a good player, pushing is a VERY hard way to make a living! :mrgreen:

 

[tennytive]

I'd rather be a counter pusher. :wink:

Years ago I was invited to a clay court club to play with a friend but before we took the court, we stopped to watch a tanned older gentleman with white wavy hair dressed in bright whites hitting with the club pro.

No matter what the pro threw at him the senior player calmly flicked his racket at the balls and "pushed" them back. They hit about 12 balls or so and then he called out to the pro and remarked "They're (the balls in front of the net) are all on your side."

Turns out the older gentleman was Frankie Parker. Very cool.

 

[LeeD]

Philosophy at work here....
Would you rather play conservative and win most of the time?
Would you rather play aggressively and win some of the time?
I'd rather play aggressively, lose because I lost, than to lose because the other guy actually BEAT ME.
Oftentimes, the other guy actually BEATS ME, but they're always a full 2 levels higher to begin with....

 

[nhat8121]

i think you need to be really good to play as a counterpuncher. when the ball is hit hard, u run full stretch and try to hit a winner like murray or tomic...I highly doubt that you will actually hit a winner.

 

[Juan Cruz]

Not many can claim they are a true pusher and be proud of it. Or actually really be a pusher, consistent WALL player who can win. There are VERY few who can be what is called a true pusher (human Backboard) and be good at it.

Speaking of human backboards, does the name Michael Chang still ring a bell?

 

[Skabeast121]

Lol too true being a pusher is the best! Especially the nice no pace slice backhand that drives other players insane

 

[raiden031]

Philosophy at work here....
Would you rather play conservative and win most of the time?
Would you rather play aggressively and win some of the time?
I'd rather play aggressively, lose because I lost, than to lose because the other guy actually BEAT ME.
Oftentimes, the other guy actually BEATS ME, but they're always a full 2 levels higher to begin with....

You can't say that conservative equals winning more than being aggressive. If you are conservative and at the bottom of your NTRP level, you are still going to lose most of the time...on the contrary if you are aggressive and at the top of your NTRP level, you are going to win most of the time.

 

[pushing_wins]

post some match videos please

 

[Zachol82]

I really don't see a problem against playing pushers. If you're consistent, then hell you better be even more consistent against someone who's just pushing the ball back.

Consistency is the most important aspect in winning a tennis match. If you've got that down, it doesn't matter who you play...except maybe against others who are also consistent but can hit the ball much harder than you :[

 

[quest01]

I like playing against pushers.

 

[halalula1234]

pushers that hit moon balls are better to play than those other pushers who slices and hit flat low balls back some are short. those are annoying.

 

[papa]

pushers that hit moon balls are better to play than those other pushers who slices and hit flat low balls back some are short. those are annoying.

Good pushers don't hit moon balls unless your talking about fairly low offensive lobs after they draw you in - moon ball to me = patty cake tennis or used when one is actually trying to make his opponents hits lobs. The problem is most players love to get those balls and generally when they do, they are not coming back.

However, as we constantly see on these Boards, terminology gets us into trouble.

 

[JackB1]

What exactly is a "pusher" and how does it differ from a "counterpuncher"?

 

[soyizgood]

seriously, pushing can get you REALLY high at the recreational level...i'm talking 5.0 maybe 5.5...

Try 7.0 (Wozniacki, Radwanska, Simon, Cornet, Gilbert)...

 

[xFullCourtTenniSx]

Argghh,

Just thinking about a pusher makes me want to slam something.

Funny... It makes me wanna play one to practice running noobs around the court. :twisted:

How is pushing not mindless hitting from the baseline?

Because... He said mindless bashing. What we're looking at here is mindless pushing/tapping.

but I hate it when I play another pusher, it's not fun at all.

I disagree, it's VERY fun. Especially in singles.

I don't push, I counterpunch. Shot placement and selection is especially important to me. I rather construct points rather than smacking balls back.

Same here... Problem is, I still have a tendency to want to rip on the ball because my natural game is any kind of aggressive game. But I recognize when I can't win through pace and when I can't win through consistency alone... And when I come up to the latter scenario, that's when things get tricky since it becomes net play or nothing else will work.

That's absolutely untrue. No pusher is going to win more than a game or 2 off of a true 5.0, let alone a 5.5.

2 games... Isn't that being overly generous? I think even 1 game is VERY generous... Hell... I think 6 points a set qualifies for a fixed match right there. lol

 

[KenC]

but I hate it when I play another pusher, it's not fun at all.

I never thought about that. What happens when a pusher meets a pusher? Do they get locked in 1000 stroke rallies? I suppose someone from the audience eventually just pulls out a pistol and mercy kills both.

 

[Bud]

I believe pushing is a style of play. Not dued to underdeveloped strokes...Benard Tomic's strokes aren't underdeveloped.

Tomic isn't a pusher, regardless of what you hear on these boards. He's a master at changing the tempo of a point. That's why Cilic had so many problems playing him.

He did a great job of setting up a point and would then hit a hard flat BH or FH when he had an opening. When he got into a bit of trouble he'd place a nice slice deep into the court.

Tomic is going to be a major contender in the next few years. He is better than Murray was at the same age, IMO.

 

[bhupaes]

I never thought about that. What happens when a pusher meets a pusher? Do they get locked in 1000 stroke rallies? I suppose someone from the audience eventually just pulls out a pistol and mercy kills both.

It's like a tug of war between two identical twins, each weighing 90 lbs. The direction of the wind will determine the winner...

 

[LeeD]

Actually, if anyone ever HAD the patience to watch 2 pushers play each other, they'd find the points are relatively SHORT !! :shock::shock:
Sure, they're long for most of the first set, but one establishes that he want's to hit more, the other folds, and it's over pretty quickly.
Typical scores... 6-4, 6-2, 6-0.v
RELATIVELY short, not as short as two S/V players, of course.

 

[halalula1234]

Good pushers don't hit moon balls unless your talking about fairly low offensive lobs after they draw you in - moon ball to me = patty cake tennis or used when one is actually trying to make his opponents hits lobs. The problem is most players love to get those balls and generally when they do, they are not coming back.

However, as we constantly see on these Boards, terminology gets us into trouble.

i meant top spin high balls i find it easier to deal with than flat short balls with little pace. isnt a good pusher more like a counter puncher?

 

[kevo82]

this reminds me of a video about Andy Murray.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG8jdpmCaVE

He is NOT a pusher. Last year I couldn't stand him, but he is really an exceptional player, and one of my favorites right now.

 

[Camilio Pascual]

it's so much fun.

Agreed, it is most hilarious.
Especially when the opponent has a self-defeating attitude about pushers.

 

[nhat8121]

or when they let you know that they make all the errors and all you do is push - not actually beat them.

you would chuckle and say "I know."

 

[DavaiMarat]

Here's my beef with pushers

It's not the game that they play or even whether are frustrating to play against. It's their mindset that bothers me.

They really have no aspiration to get better, they limit themselves to just retrieving without ever becoming stronger or more skillful. Tennis is a game of constant improvement and learning. Pusher's deny themselves this.

I've learned to beat pushers ages ago and I do respect them as a style or brand of tennis. However, as a teacher of the game I can't condone it. I feel it comes from a fear of losing or a fear of risk. It's very difficult to get a pusher out of it's shell. Trust me I've tried. It takes months of letting go of fear and trusting the body to unlearn what it depends on utterly.

Pushers are never free. They can never experience the beauty of a well executed stroke nor the sound of a well struck ball. Their loss in my opinion.

 

[Camilio Pascual]

It's their mindset that bothers me.
They really have no aspiration to get better, they limit themselves to just retrieving without ever becoming stronger or more skillful. Tennis is a game of constant improvement and learning.

Your first comment is what I mean by a self-defeating attitude. It is foolish to let characteristics of your opponent that you cannot control bother you.
I have no idea why you would suppose a pusher, as opposed to an S&V player or power baseliner, has no aspirations to get better.
Tennis is not a game of constant improvement, I've been in a slow decline along with several friends and opponents (with some ups and downs) for about 30 years. I really, really don't think I'm going to be an improved player at 70 years old from where I am at now.

 

[xFullCourtTenniSx]

this reminds me of a video about Andy Murray.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AG8jdpmCaVE

He is NOT a pusher. Last year I couldn't stand him, but he is really an exceptional player, and one of my favorites right now.

I find it funny how he only does that to Nadal... Haha.

 

[ronalditop]

but I hate it when I play another pusher, it's not fun at all.

That must be painful to watch.

 

[J_R_B]

It's not the game that they play or even whether are frustrating to play against. It's their mindset that bothers me.

They really have no aspiration to get better, they limit themselves to just retrieving without ever becoming stronger or more skillful. Tennis is a game of constant improvement and learning. Pusher's deny themselves this.

Can't you get better at retrieving? Also, if the pusher is someone who always hit safe shots to avoid errors instead of going for winners or even somewhat lower percentage shots that could pressure the opponent, isn't it possible to raise the level of the shots that you can hit safely without any errors? Anyone can improve and learn. I've certainly known pushers that have improved over the years.