I love good pushers.

[zzzbrianxxx]

Am I the only one who's reached the conclusion that NTRP 4.0+ pushers are just so much fun to play against and can really improve your game? Pushers are awesome if they can consistently hit strokes with decent pace and topspin so that they land right in "no-man's land" even when you hit solid shots. It's an excellent way to work on your strokes and develop them to their fullest potential.

I was in a weird place a couple of years ago. I was consistently playing people who made tons of unforced errors. I did to. It was painful, because once I hit just one good shot, the point would be over, or I would get a junk ball that would be tough to handle. I started to play better people who push, as I describe it, and I instantly improved. I can now hit very good strokes as many times as I want, as long as the ball is a normal rally shot and NOT a junkball. I can now work the point. I sometimes just rally for 15 shots, slice one wide, hit a forehand to the opposite side, and finish the point with a volley. This would never have been possible without the players I associated with when I was younger. Pushers, as I described them, are an excellent way for you to improve. If playing somebody like this doesn't interest you or excite you in the slightest, then you must not be interested in taking your game/consistency to the next level.

So please do me, and everybody around you, a huge favor, and the next time you go out to hit or play a match, try to be consistent. That doesn't mean slice 1000 balls in a row. It means sack up, play like you should, and hit decent rally balls and work the point. It's good for everybody playing. For those power hitters, just listen to me; power is SO much more effective when you don't hit a big ball every single shot. Work the point, wait for an opening, and then use your power to exploit it.

P.S.
It's junkballers I absolutely hate. You know, the ones that have no clue how to properly play tennis and think they are good because they drag your level way way way down. The ones that purposefully ruin a possibly fun match so that they can try and win. I'm always trying to up my level, and everytime I have to play players like this (which thankfully isn't that often, because I've gotten much much better) it's a huge road block that takes at least one more hitting session afterwards to bypass.

P.S.S.
Sorry, that kind of turned into a rant at the end. Opinions?

 

[ATXtennisaddict]

I like playing the type of pusher you mention. Consistent ppl with proper strokes. Helps you learn to be patient and construct a point.

 

[Bodacious DVT]

i like playing pushers. its sorta like hitting against a wall and demands great mental skills. now i dont like playing them 24/7, but its nice every once in a while to throw some consistency into the match.

 

[zzzbrianxxx]

wow, I thought for sure there would be a lot more positive responses. Is anybody listening? This is how I got good at tennis. Players like that.

 

[kevhen]

You like consistent pushers who hit high deep topspin but not consistent junkballers who hit short low slice? Have you not figured out how to deal with the junkballs yet or how to play inside the service lines? What does Federer do with Santorro?

 

[AJK1]

I agree with OP. It improved my game immensely. Seems to me the only people on these boards that whinge about pushers are the ones that can't figure them out.

 

[4brotherdrive]

Junkballers, are fun to play with too. They force you out of your comfort, and playing them requires much more focus and strategic thinking than playing pushers. When I talk about junkballers I am talking about players with great intangibles, touch volleys, and use spinny groundstroke(back spin,side spin, or top spin).

 

[Voltron]

I love pushers too, makes you construct a point.

 

[zzzbrianxxx]

You like consistent pushers who hit high deep topspin but not consistent junkballers who hit short low slice? Have you not figured out how to deal with the junkballs yet or how to play inside the service lines? What does Federer do with Santorro?

I love them because they give me a very good method of rigorously improving and strenghtening my movement and strokes. Junkballers hardly bother my anymore because I've gotten very consistent because of the pushers, get it? It improves every espect of your game. It's an excellent foundation for you game is what it is.

 

[counterfeit25]

Yes, I agree playing pushers and junkballers really helped me improve my game. Those slow balls you see the pros consistently attack aren't as easy as they seem on tv, so practicing against pushers and junkballers is really good training to deal with those shots. Don't underestimate those slow balls!

Actually, it's funny to see two power players play each other, and when one of them misses when trying to kill a sitter ball, the guy screams in anger like he's so good and was not supposed to miss that shot. Hmmm... I used to do that too... -_- But I don't do that now... I think...

 

[zzzbrianxxx]

I wasn't talking about a pusher that hits slow balls like that. I'm talking about a very good and solid ball striker who hits with decent pace, but only to the middle of the court 90% of the time and doesn't do anything offensive. Beginners wouldn't be able to handle this level at all.

 

[Bagumbawalla]

I have go with 4brotherdrive (strange name) on this one.

Sure it is easier/mor fun to play against people that give you easy balls and hit into your confort zone, but if you really want to improve, you need to play as many different types of players as you can-- especially those that you find difficult or frustrating.

B

 

[Mick]

Pushers are your friends. Playing with them will help you improve your game

 

[DiabloTS]

They are called counterpunchers btw

 

[zzzbrianxxx]

Tell you what, if you hit the ball cleanly every single time and have proper strokes, have excellent control, and you are beating people, then who cares what you are? You are winning, and imo, you're doing it one of very many correct ways.

It's those people that hit the ball poorly every single time that are hell in the tennis community. You know, the ones that are just trying to do whatever they can just to keep the ball in play, and in the process, accidently hit a very crappy drop shot with tons of weird spin because of how much frame they used and how little string was involved. Go find another sport. God.

 

[4brotherdrive]

Those people you know exist at all levels, brian they are very frustrating and despite what you think they know what there doing. They are very challenging and there game beats the modern baseline and all court game. Afterall like you said they are beating you. I know a senior player that is this very player, he hits topspin that goes over my head (I am 6 ft tall) and dropshots that bounce backwards, he is very challenging, he lobs you if you are at the net, and has great volleys. Still I have learn to beat him and may I say it is not easy, it seems like he has no idea what hes doing but he does, he laughs everytime people make fun of his "made up" strokes and then ends up beating them 6-0.I think that you are doing the same thing that those people that make fun of him do,your underestimating these players. Learn true patience and focus, and you'll see that you'll be beating these people very soon.

 

[zzzbrianxxx]

you bring up an interesting point, 4brotherdrive, but you're talking about a different type of player. I'm 17, so the junkballers I used to play were beginners, not an old man that found the best game to suit his age. That senior sounds good if he can hit topspin that well. Or you just don't take the ball on the rise, idk.

The only thing that frustrates me about these "junkballers" is that I'm wasting my time dealing with these newbies (which is what they are when they are 14 or so) when I could be playing somebody who is more of a NTRP 4.5 (as described by the USTA) and would really raise the level of my game. Find me a 4.5 who hits crazy slice or very good drop shots, or very heavy topspin. I would ABSOLUTELY LOVE to play somebody like that. Because they clearly developed their game with this intention. They do it with skill and purpose. You can NOT call somebody like that a junkballer. But somehow, I think most people would, which is the problem. Refer to my earlier posts when I said that they mostly just shank the ball. If you can hit the ball CLEANLY, then you are not a junkballer, imo.

The only frustrating thing about junkballers is that they are so content with how bad they are, yet how well it works against the lesser players.

 

[4brotherdrive]

Oh I see lol, my bad >.<. And btw this is the way I beat him taking his topspin on the rise(lol I am not saying it bounces that high all the time but it can if he wants to). I know what you mean I am 15, and I can imagine how playing against someone like that is(never played against one in my 7 month career), dont sweat it if you lose against them they are very frustrating, but never give up(I am sure you can find a weakness that they have or will eventually have the ability to overpower them in some way).

 

[metsjets]

my favorite drill is hitting a high forehand or backhand in no man's land as hard as i possibly can into a corner. nothing will improve your strokes more! i swear! learn to stroke the ball, then learn to stroke the ball hard. consistency will come.

 

[Supernatural_Serve]

my favorite drill is hitting a high forehand or backhand in no man's land as hard as i possibly can into a corner.

For most players below 4.5 that's a low percentage shot in a match.

Why? Because you are trying to place a ball very specifically, deep, with as much power as possible. Not many people can do that consistently.

Why not work on consistency, depth and placement first, then do so with spin and power added. That way a person can win at 3.0, 3.5, and then at 4.0 they can start doing so with power and spin consistently, then at 4.5 they are solid both at your drill and in a match.


As for Pushers:

I don't love them, but I do respect them. I also understand what they like to do to me in a match and I have very specific tactics concerning what I want to do to them in response to them pushing me and the ball around.

 

[The Gorilla]

Brad Gilbert said he junkballed and pushed against Jimmy Connors and beat him using this tactic so |I think that puts paid to KK's argument that by definition a pusher and junkballer cannot make it to pro level.