Low clearance flat short balls help!

[supertrex]

How do you hit back a low flat short balls? it dont bouince up more so its really hard to hit in the corners. I try to put topspin but it goes out!

his shot always land in the midcourt low and short and flat. he does this intentionally, I try to keep it just in play but when I push it back it goes to him short but with high bounce so he gets a clean winner.

Baseline rally I get more % of win. But he stops that by doing that low clearance flat short ball with no bounce. I tried serve and volley but he reads me like kids book. he can do passing shots. plus my volley is weak!

Anyways what other means I can play this type of shot on me?

 

[VaBeachTennis]

How do you hit back a low flat short balls? it dont bouince up more so its really hard to hit in the corners. I try to put topspin but it goes out!

his shot always land in the midcourt low and short and flat. he does this intentionally, I try to keep it just in play but when I push it back it goes to him short but with high bounce so he gets a clean winner.

Baseline rally I get more % of win. But he stops that by doing that low clearance flat short ball with no bounce. I tried serve and volley but he reads me like kids book. he can do passing shots. plus my volley is weak!

Anyways what other means I can play this type of shot on me?

Maybe using a well placed slice/sidespin approach shot would help you.

 

[toptalent]

Topspin drive IS possible with this type of ball. The key is, you must be able to realize that it's a shorter ball and react very quickly, well before that ball lands into court. This is where footwork is really a lot more important than the stroke itself.

I used to have big problems with this type of balls. Reacting late = running to the ball in a hurry, resulting in a totally rushed and offblanced shot. An incomplete late swing, and the ball tends to go into net; a hard desperate swing while your body still has a ton of forward momentum (because of inbalance), the ball tends to go long. So if you can manage to plant your feet down, knees bent and in ready position for a compact but complete swing with controlled aggression, you'll have a lot higher chance for success. Remember it doesnt take that many steps to get to the ball, since like the you said the ball actually lands in somewhere around mid court. Reacting even a split second earlier can make a lot of difference.

If you watch pro tennis on TV, pay full attention when a player gets a shorter ball. Instead of focusing on how he stormed that ball into the open court for a winner (the result), look at how quickly he reacted and got to the ball in the first place (the start). And notice how he already has his shoulder turned and knees bent before hitting the ball.

 

[oneguy20]

You need to get your feet moving and get to the ball early and stay low while you hit the shot.

 

[jwr1972]

If he is doing this from one side or the baseline, then drop a half volley short and to the opposite side(short if he is back). If he comes in behind this try to hit back a low shot at his feet.

 

[supertrex]

Thanks for the replies!

Toptalent you just nailed my scenario 100%, I am really running for it! I will be focusing more on good footwork. again thanks for the good Tip!

 

[Steady Eddy]

Baseline rally I get more % of win. But he stops that by doing that low clearance flat short ball with no bounce.

You are always using fairly new balls, I hope. Tennis balls aren't like balls in other sports, where you just use them until they get lost. Tennis balls have a short life, pretty much you should use a new can every time you play. Because if you don't you have to face these shots with no bounce. I hate that. I hate playing with old crummy balls. When you say "no bounce", I suspect that these balls aren't up to snuff.

 

[Blake0]

A good way to hit this shot would be hitting it deep, to a corner would be beneficial, and come up for a volley or move back. Slice or topspin are your best choices. Also if you want, you can drop shot it :twisted:.

It's important to predict when a balls going to come short, and reacting to it quickly so you have time to set up.

 

[kopfan]

How short is his shot?
If he could hit you a flat and short shot... the ball must be bouncing high for him to do so... right? avoid returning him with high bouncing ball where he have plenty of time to hit you these shots.