"Pusher" ... Playing This (Dreaded) Opponent

Fay said:
I had an insight today into playing the pusher ... my coach ... said "You punish someone for sending a soft (sometimes soft and short) ball! Use a powerful FH! Don't just get it back, smack it!"

So I was made today to add as much pace as I could muster to soft balls and I could see the benefit of that exercise. But it took some time for me to implement it well. I am now looking forward to getting some junk shots.
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For many players the intermittent soft ball is a problem for a different reason: The player has time to think of 3, 4 or 5 different tactics of "what to do with that sitter." All too frequently the many options confuse, rather than clarify, the mind of the player. As the player is still swinging ... he is still "cycling" through the options. His shot sails miserably long or he dumps it in the net.

Your coach was helping you a great deal by conditioning you for the sitter ahead of time.

- KK
 
The Watchman said:
Great article - for pushers as well.

I (a pusher) played a guy in comp on the weekend who tried a few things in the article.

He started serve and volleying off both serves, which forced me to hit better returns.

When he found his S&V wasn't working, he hit firm flat shots from the baseline trying to force short balls that he could attack the net with. This forced me to vary my rallying shots to make it hard for him to groove his shots.

When he found that he made too many unforced errors and didn't get enough pay-off in the form of short balls, he started pushing, but attacked when I was too far inside the baseline or hit a short ball. This forced me to try and position him out wide to open the court for a winner.

Even if I had lost, I had great fun because he asked questions of my game and forced me to play like a counterpuncher. Likewise, he had to try new things when I got reasonable answers. We played smart tennis.

It's much more fun than playing someone who racks up UEs by trying to blast groundstroke winners from behind the baseline or someone who decides to push back (both strategies that I think the article rightly says are bad ideas).
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I thought the article said to volley on return not serve ? I might be wrong though.
 
Lindros13 said:
Suggestion: Maybe try to be a little more patient than you currently are, and wait for a shorter ball where you can capitalize. When it comes, don't try to make your shot unreachable, just go for a reasonably aggressive shot, that you can make with confidence. Again, you don't have to hit the line. Your next shot (if it comes back) could be a volley winner or another baseline shot pulling him in the other direction. It's all about patience and going for the aggressive shots at the right moment.

As far as your problem of getting tense, maybe work on keeping a loose grip, loose muscles, and fluid motions, all with good footwork!
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As soon as I start to be patiient The pusher I play recognizes it and he starts to slice it down the lines to put me on the run seriously :|
 
I think people start thinking about whether or not he/she's a pusher or as soon as they start thinking about their shots rather than to worry about their own game, especially when they're down which then gives them permission to lose.
 
Ive played w/ a pusher as my hitting buddy for a long time, and found useful strategies. Slice more, come into net more often, and mix up power and angles constantely, and dont increase pace than you normally do because he's not hitting any, that'll increase your errors and make you mad. But the two most important things to remeber are not try to be a pure pusher back if your not an avid pusher and never never never never get really mad and accept defeat. Even if your down, stick in there.

Because Ive played matches with him more than any1 else, I love playing pushers the most and play best against them.
 
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Il Mostro said:
http://video.yahoo.com/watch/1044710 That's one way to do it quickly. But what a rip-off that site is.
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I dont recommend trying to always force the winners, like in the vid, because its too easy to become overconfident and hit out. Instead, use topspin, slice, volleys in whichever order in any way you can in the situation to mess with the pusher's groove. Make the pusher confused and pressured is basically the goal. Go for the winners only once in a while when its safe enough.
 
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I'm sure my comments are mentioned throughout this topic, but if you don't want to search through, here's my 2cents:

I play in a junior league, and hitting moonballs or really weak shots with kick, off the rise, can be very difficult. You have to be prepared, feet in the right position/racquet back, and swing as soon as that ball lands. My pro said it's something to this day he hasn't mastered, and certainly doesn't come easy to most players, but over time it improves.

Some pushers often hit to the same spots, so you have the edge by hitting the same shot over and over. This allows you to get used to the spot locations of the balls, so don't make the same error twice ;).

If you take the balls off the rise, it really takes time away from the player to get to your ball or plan their next move.

When I first began playing pushers, I would often let it bounce, wait a while, and try hitting the hardest I could on my forehand. You can certainly try this, but you'll find that the pusher can get there and give you another ball with no pace on it.

Volleying from No Man's Land can be accomplished too. This also takes a lot of time away from the other player, even though it may not always result in the best ball.

I'm no expert in tennis, but playing other juniors at my level I play a pusher almost once every 3 weeks, and throughout my practices. I'd consider myself a very good baseline player for my level, and I have some good shots in my arsenal, but against a pusher none of that really matters.

Usually you want to look for a rhythm in a game, but against a pusher you have to stay very open minded and patient. That's been mentioned a thousand times in this topic, but in my opinion is deffinitely the most important.

Don't be afraid to mix up your game, you want to keep the pusher guessing =]

When playing a pusher you can really practice different types of shots and movements. Playing a pusher can sometimes be like practice drills with a coach. Keep a level head and try not to get too frustrated (I know it's a thousand times harder than it sounds XD)

(sorry for any poor grammar throughout my post)
 
Wow, that's too hot a topic so that I just have to leave my points here without reading everying comments.

I once had a friend who lost to a pusher, so we talked about it with the coach. This "pusher" here may be an advanced one, 'cause he did not only push the balls back, but also place them in the place that you don't feel comfortable to return, thus force you to make errors.

As the one above me metioned, pusher also have rhythms, just a slower and more weird than an ordinary player. So it is easy to build your strategy:

1. Be calm and try your best to reduce your unforced error
2. Break his rhythm, don't try to overpower him unless you are very confident that you won't miss

About breaking the pusher's pace, I see too many of you mentioning faster shots or heavier topspins, that's one way. Another method is vary your spin. Most pushers would "lend" your power, so give him some flat, then some topspin (or more accurate, combine shots with more flat, and shots with more topspin), then the pusher will get confused about how to place his racquet to "lend" your power.

Hope that helps, in a word, if you have problem playing a pusher, or you hate them, that would prove that your game is not strategical enough. Otherwise, you would love pushers, they are steady, soft and best strategy coaches.

Anyway, pushers can be very good players if they speed up their shots and build attacking game from their low-error basis.
 
I've been playing badminton for the last 10 years at club level and recently started tennis and haven't played tennis for the last 20 years since I was a teanager. I have to say that the pusher concept must be unique to tennis as I have never experienced it with badminton. I for one have come across the pushers and quickly realsied that I was losing my game on unforced errors. Still, tennis is such a beautiful game and its a shame that more folks aren't prepared to put the hard graft and effort in to learn proper stroke technique becasue it is so much more satisfying to this than to simply win matches by hitting dolly shots over the net hoping your opponent will make errors on their proper strokes. I still relish a good stroke technique when i can pull it off in a match situation and don't even think twice about losing against a mediocre pusher type!
 
man i loved that article :D ive been struggling with pusher ALOT. because of the pushers on the team I am usually the one losing the challenge match and being place at the back of the team when I can beat the no. 1 guy on my team. Well now i am definitely trying to use this strategy in my game :)
 
I played a pusher recently, and it was painful! Seriously, and I'm not exaggerating, this guy made only 2 unforced errors in a set that I won 6-3. His best shot was a ridiculously high defensive lob ala Santoro (which I kinda envy actually), that tended to land deep; He placed the ball exceptionally well into the deep and short corners(no pace of course), and covered the court really well. Because I had to generate the pace on all shots, I ended up making many more errors thinking I could blast balls into "openings" which he quickly covered... I had to hit an inordinate amount of overheads to win, and I ran *alot*. While I outwardly talk about the pain of playing a guy like this, secretly I appreciated the fact that he got so many balls back, that it tested my conditioning, footwork, my ability to set up points on sitters in the back court, close out points at the short-midcourt-balls/net/overheads. It highlighted weaknesses in my game (if when improved, would help me against other 4.5 and 5.0 foes - eg. learning to confidently hit the down the line backhand on sitters; more forceful volleys; be more patient setting up points for more high % winners; develop a higher consistency when hitting transition balls and/or put-away balls from the midcourt).

So while I don't necessarily like playing pushers in a league and/or tournament (ie. when it "counts", and the pressure is on me to win it, because he's not going to lose it), I do like practicing with them at least once a week because they're almost as good as wall, and forces me to play solid, or lose.
 
Murray_Maniac said:
I dont recommend trying to always force the winners, like in the vid, because its too easy to become overconfident and hit out. Instead, use topspin, slice, volleys in whichever order in any way you can in the situation to mess with the pusher's groove. Make the pusher confused and pressured is basically the goal. Go for the winners only once in a while when its safe enough.
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I see a boatload of opportunities for hitting drop shots against that guy in the video.
 
dman72 said:
I see a boatload of opportunities for hitting drop shots against that guy in the video.
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Interesting... someone pointed this out in my match (eg. my opponent was standing way back behind the baseline waiting for me to blast it),... but it highlighted to me that I was too scared to try hitting the drop shot (eg. I never practice it)...

So guess what I did on my next practice match... yup, forced myself to hit droppers on short balls (when normally I'd approach deep - or hit an outright winner - and end the point at the net). Well I realized after the practice match (I lost where I'd normally win easily), I'm not so good at hitting good disguised droppers (off short balls) under pressure...

Anyway, something new to practice... looking forward to when I can actually use it consistently as a weapon.
 
Drop shots work okay if they are not used often --

I am finding as I get better and more forceful FH, the harder I hit a passing shot,

(if a the opponent is a pusher, which is sounds like from most all of your posts you expect to beat the pusher, disappointed if you don't, which translates to the pusher is always a less better player than you,)

-- then I find that if I hit a passing shot hard enough they cannot get their racquet to the ball let alone have a good return.

Also, if you get the least bit short ball and you hit a very hard-angled shot to the service box which goes wide, I don't see how they can get to a ball like that.

The person who said practice your strokes I think has the right idea ~ I work on my form to hit with lots of spin deep ... and when they hit short, which they'll have to if you are hitting solid strokes to the corners, I then spank the ball to where they are not.

That just seems like the standard tennis I have been taught by the good coaches I have had. Move the ball around, make your opponent uncomfortable enough to hit a weak return, and then apply some pace.

What I find interesting is that the so called pusher in the video is not hitting any short balls and he is not hitting low enough to take them in the air ... so obviously his opponent does not have enough pace to cause him any problems.

I was just thinking about signing up for this site as lots of people have liked it and now someone says its a rip off. How many people have found this site a sophisticated learning tool, I am wondering. I prefer watching videos to any other method of learning. Comments?
 
I am by no means a high level player, but I still see ample opportunity to slice that guys shots back short, make him come to the net, and either lob or pass him. Even though all his shots are deep, they have absolutely no pace, in which case they are easy to slice. After about 2 of those fluttering ducks that's what I'd be looking to do. If he's really only a pusher (which this guy probably is not), then he won't be able to do much off of the short ball, especially coming from that far back.
 
Il Mostro said:
http://video.yahoo.com/watch/1044710 That's one way to do it quickly. But what a rip-off that site is.
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I joined the site and finally got some time to finish watching the video about beating a pusher at the site. I think it was solid coaching, but that's just my opinion. What I like about online teaching is that things are organized in a concise fashion. One might cover all of this over a few lessons, but this is organized, and he mentions the most important stuff at the end of the clip in a summary fashion which helps me remember.

I get in the heat of a match and don't seem to remember much ... next I'm going to look at their ball machine exercises.

I joined month-by-month so I'll see what the first month brings in the way of videos.
 
one thing ive heard that has helped me was, "respect the pusher", as much as it kills me to try and do that it hurts me worse to try and play one while constantly thinking, this guy sucks he cant even hit the ball, and getting angry. Just play your game, keep in mind all the basics and DONT push back. Also pushers dont get mad too often from what ive seen
 
just mix up the variety of shots into your game....and sometimes HIT A HARD powerful shot RIght into their body/raquet..and you will have a chance of them not being able to return it..i have no problem with pushers but i hate playing players that hit a lot of drop shots
 
i have a few thots on how to play pushers. my style of play is "i really want to get better" at this game. so i'm trying to learn all the right things trying to practice my fhand bhand serves etc. trying to get the topspin working kick serves and the rest. guess what, if u play a pusher with this preparation you are scrooooed!!! you need a completely diff mentality to play them. now i'm not claiming that i can beat the pushers, in fact, i lose to them more often than i'd like. but theres a reason for that. as soon as i realize i'm playing a pusher, i kinda "shut off", u knw what i mean. i then start trying to "build" my game by trying out diff things. like chipping and charging, topspins, bhand topspins, sidespin slices, kick serves, etc etc. not to mention since i'm not very consistent, i am not consistently successful. so i end up losing the match.

neways some tips that have been useful playing a pusher, if ur interest is to win the match such as in a league:
1. leave your 'player' frame in the bag!!! seriously. get urself a lighter racquets where u can hit without a big swing. i have a off the shelf racquet thats actually head heavy but with some good strings.
2. use the HH racquet for ppower dont overswing. if you think abt it u r now imitating the pusher. they usually use HH or very stiff racquets.
3. use the SLICE. u absolutely need the slice. gives u flex, maneuv, spins.
4. go to the net when and as much as you can. but stay just inside the service box, bcoz 'they' will lob a lot...a lot.
5. serve smart, put ur serves in. u will typically get a block ball back. dont go for the winner. place the ball and approach behind it.
6. mix up ur spins and shots...kinda like a dinker..
7. last of all take ur time between points and during points. its gonna be a long one!

good luck
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sunnyIce said:
i have a few thots on how to play pushers. my style of play is "i really want to get better" at this game. so i'm trying to learn all the right things trying to practice my fhand bhand serves etc. trying to get the topspin working kick serves and the rest. guess what, if u play a pusher with this preparation you are scrooooed!!! you need a completely diff mentality to play them. now i'm not claiming that i can beat the pushers, in fact, i lose to them more often than i'd like. but theres a reason for that. as soon as i realize i'm playing a pusher, i kinda "shut off", u knw what i mean. i then start trying to "build" my game by trying out diff things. like chipping and charging, topspins, bhand topspins, sidespin slices, kick serves, etc etc. not to mention since i'm not very consistent, i am not consistently successful. so i end up losing the match.

neways some tips that have been useful playing a pusher, if ur interest is to win the match such as in a league:
1. leave your 'player' frame in the bag!!! seriously. get urself a lighter racquets where u can hit without a big swing. i have a off the shelf racquet thats actually head heavy but with some good strings.
2. use the HH racquet for ppower dont overswing. if you think abt it u r now imitating the pusher. they usually use HH or very stiff racquets.
3. use the SLICE. u absolutely need the slice. gives u flex, maneuv, spins.
4. go to the net when and as much as you can. but stay just inside the service box, bcoz 'they' will lob a lot...a lot.
5. serve smart, put ur serves in. u will typically get a block ball back. dont go for the winner. place the ball and approach behind it.
6. mix up ur spins and shots...kinda like a dinker..
7. last of all take ur time between points and during points. its gonna be a long one!

good luck
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I don't see the difference in your first paragraph between what gets you screwed and what you should be doing against a pusher. In both cases you seem to be trying different things to "build" your game.

I completely disagree with #1 and #2 in your list because players shouldn't have to change racquets and change their swing pattern just to beat a pusher. You can hit more consistent shots by hitting less powerful shots, but that doesn't require a racquet change.
 
Match Play and The Spin of the Ball

by Bill Tilden ...

this book really helped me. It is probably old hat to all of you advanced players, but I realized after reading this book that I was not putting spin on absolutely every ball I hit -- when I started doing that I have much more control over the ball and whether someone hits with pace or not now isn't as important because I can now hit a lot harder and still keep the ball in.

I recommend this book for anyone who wants to beat a pusher or anyone else.
 
The last time I played a pusher we played 5 sets. I won 6-0 6-1 6-0 6-2 6-4. Looks like I'm having a slow influence on him after 4 years of playing him. He was trying to hit harder, he got a bit more spin on his shots, and he hit some solid winners against me.

I've been trying to get him to ditch that eastern forehand grip for his backhand. I think he might listen after that beatdown. If he can do that, he might become a counter-puncher.

When all else fails, hit high and wide to the pusher's backhand. Bait them to come to the net. Dangle them like they're your puppet. Construct a point rather than "instant kill the ball".
 
My pusher story:

My pusher opponent basically has that slice touch that he can execute from any position. He doesnt position himself well to hit the ball, but man can he get that ball back. He just sends the ball back floating back pretty high with some minor spins.

I went with hitting with good direction and moderate pace strategy. Huh, lemme tell you, he just WONT DIE. Good angles is not enough to kill them: the angle needed to be pretty extreme to get winners. If it were the other average players, they would have succymbed to my strokes already. So basically, in order to win, I can either risk hitting extreme angles, or I can risk hitting hard balls with good angle.

Eventually I lost 6-4, unforced errors. Well I guess pushers feed off of that anyways right? Then I realized that man, if only I was a better mover, a better ball watcher, I would just keep rallying with him. Afterall, for most parts, he was running across the court left and right: he probably ran enough to cover a marathon, and I was the one directing the ball--well that is until that time when i either hit long or into the net.

Anyways, I agree with the posts made here with the others who have experience playing pushers, with number 1 impt point being dropping the idea that you are the better player with better strokes (I am getting there, but it still creeps up and bothers me sometime). Point number 2 usually follows number 1, and that is dont get mad (I...try my best. I succeed sometimes, but not really. I still stay grim about it mostly).

To win against these guys I actually HAVE to exceed my usual performance against other fellow players with conventional game. I will still need to be on my agressive attacking game, and at the same time be more consistent than ever at keeping the ball in court. I can tell you I needed more concentration than ever on moving in position to strike with good angle. Even though I am not moving half as much as the other guy, I felt REALLY strained.

Oh yeah, I have won him before 6-2. But I am down against him like, maybe 4-1 or something like that.

And that's my story against pusher.
 
how to beat a push-back guy?

I have a match for my team yesterday in the league.
I lost 6-7 and 2-6. in the first set, I was lead 5-2 at the beginning, but I lost. I felt so sorry for my team.
the thing is: any points I got are the points I won, the are winners.
and any point my opponent got is the point I lost, I mean I made errors. (I almost hit them in the court, but they are just out)
he just push every ball back, no directions, just push it back.
I feel so frustrated when I play with him, no offense, he is great "winner", but I hate the way he plays, tennis should not be played like this. I would never play with an guy like this unless I have to do it in a match.
So, the only thing I want to do is beat him perfectly with my way, with winners, not accumulate points by your points lost.
the question is how to beat this kind of guy?
can anybody give me some advice, how to deal with those push-back guy both physically and mentally?
thanks a lot!!!
 
Check out this link: http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=126199

There are several of these players in my league also. First, realize that you may be of the court for a long match. Try not to overhit....I hit my shots at 3/4 pace to pushers. Get to net, and also draw them into net when possible. Most importantly, don't get frustrated......just look at it as a match that may take you a little longer to win.
 
David said:
I have a match for my team yesterday in the league.
I lost 6-7 and 2-6. in the first set, I was lead 5-2 at the beginning, but I lost. I felt so sorry for my team.
the thing is: any points I got are the points I won, the are winners.
and any point my opponent got is the point I lost, I mean I made errors. (I almost hit them in the court, but they are just out)
he just push every ball back, no directions, just push it back.
I feel so frustrated when I play with him, no offense, he is great "winner", but I hate the way he plays, tennis should not be played like this. I would never play with an guy like this unless I have to do it in a match.
So, the only thing I want to do is beat him perfectly with my way, with winners, not accumulate points by your points lost.
the question is how to beat this kind of guy?
can anybody give me some advice, how to deal with those push-back guy both physically and mentally?
thanks a lot!!!
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1. Become more consistent and realize this guy beat you because he's better than you right now. Being consitent can be a great weapon in tennis. If you make an error every 3-5 shots, then I would just keep the ball in play and let you make the mistakes. Why hit winners when your opponent can't handle weak, directionless shots? Work on being consistent enough where you can stay in a rally and not give up unforced errors - don't push - be learn how to stay consistent and create openings to win the point.

2. Learn how to attack and come to net. - If this guy just hits back with no direction, you should be able to attack his ball and get into the net.

3. Don't expect to win by hitting winners. At your level, most matches are won and lost because of errors - that's why "pushers" win. No one at your level is going to hit enough striaght up winners to win the match. Besides attacking the net, learn to move your opponent around to where they will cough up weak shots. Move them side-to-side, drawn them in and lob them, push then deep then hit a drop shot. Take advantage of his weaker side.
 
My biggest advice for how to handle pushers is to bring them to the net. Their volleys aren't obviously as strong as their groundstrokes, otherwise the would spend all of the match at the net, not the baseline. Also, with this being said, they will practice groundstrokes more than anything including their net game. The word "pusher" is a self-fulfilling prophecy--pushers view their game as one-dimensional, and give up on practicing anything but keeping the ball in the court. Hope this helps.
 
welcome to the 'I hate to play a pusher club'. all the above comments are good.the pusher feeds on your errors and impatience.once you you can move them around hit to the open court if not for winners but to get short balls to attack and finish at the net you will have mastered beating the pusher. when you climb that hurdle your game will go up a notch because you will have improved you consistency, patience and learned when to pull the trigger and be more4 aggressive. these playing skill will help you win many matches.good luck
 
Practice your high volley; your overhead and your approach. All that soft floating stuff he pushes back at you is an opportunity to close out point. Know where to volley to (jam him up vs. open court)...

Make no mistake; the pusher thrives on delivering big softballs and having the opponent screw up the put away. That and waiting for you to make the mistake...

If you think you've practice enough "no man's land junky, blooping, awkward half overhead/half volley lob returns" - stay out and hit another hopper of 'em.

That and the working on the cornerstone of tennis, consistency, should improve your odds of putting up the "w"...
 
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Mdubb23 said:
My biggest advice for how to handle pushers is to bring them to the net. Their volleys aren't obviously as strong as their groundstrokes, otherwise the would spend all of the match at the net, not the baseline. Also, with this being said, they will practice groundstrokes more than anything including their net game. The word "pusher" is a self-fulfilling prophecy--pushers view their game as one-dimensional, and give up on practicing anything but keeping the ball in the court. Hope this helps.
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This is true. It's too hard to hit more winners than errors. Usually, you won't be able to out-steady a pusher, that's why they're a pusher. The net is their weakness. When they get there, hit deep lobs to their backhand side. If they get it back, bring them right back to the net, and do it all over again. If they leap into the air and smash winners all day, then they weren't really a pusher to begin with. They're a 5.5 who's just toying with you.
 
Yes, everything you say is true ;-) I was a "pusher" years ago and then I evolved to "attacker". My experience as a pusher gave me the ability to return every ball, that combined with good attack and volleys makes a tough player for anyone :mrgreen: I think It's more fun and smart to attack in tennis, of course you can play defensive in some precise points. The variety and consistency is very important too :-D
 
My pusher friend drives me mad. He has been playing tennis for over 5 years but I just can't believe his cowardly attitude. He slices back and forehands all the time and starts to hit stupid dropshot a good player would punish with his eyes closed.

Seriously, today I went to practice with him and I could not hit a decent ball, meaning the only thing that came at me was serious junk. In a match that is fine. If you want to play like that, I will just run down all those balls and put them away. But in practice, there is nothing funny about.

I just do not understand that if I throw a half paced ball at him fairly in the middle of the court, and he can take the initiative, the only thing he does is playing hopeless dropshots. Some of them are good, but some can easily be reached, so he is counting on errors of his opponent and avoids all initiative.

If anyone thinks that by using these strategies you are getting any better, just forget it.

He continously plays dropshots on second serves that sit up, where he would have a wide range of possibilities to put them away. A dropshot is one of them and a valid variant if you do it from time to time, but you can also hit a winner or a strong shot down the line or crosscourt. Playing stupid dropshot that are oh so predictable does not really enhance your skills.

I am seriously thinking of not training with him anymore. I am disappointed for him that after such a long time of playing he hasn't been able to develop any stroke mecanisms. Actually he can hit hard if he wants to but his technique is just crap.
 
larry10s said:
welcome to the 'I hate to play a pusher club'. all the above comments are good.the pusher feeds on your errors and impatience.once you you can move them around hit to the open court if not for winners but to get short balls to attack and finish at the net you will have mastered beating the pusher. when you climb that hurdle your game will go up a notch because you will have improved you consistency, patience and learned when to pull the trigger and be more4 aggressive. these playing skill will help you win many matches.good luck
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Once you utilize some very solid advice mentioned above, you'll want to join the "I love playing pushers club" because you'll be able to beat them easily. One tactic that I use all the time is the BH up the line to my opponent's FH(assuming you both are righties). He has to move to his right to hit a FH and then I crack a shot to his BH and then move in to volley which is usually a weak reply. At first, playing tourneys I didn't have the confidence to hit this shot - after lots of practice however, it's not a problem now. You can look at it as your continuing tennis education.
 
matchmaker said:
My pusher friend drives me mad. He has been playing tennis for over 5 years but I just can't believe his cowardly attitude. He slices back and forehands all the time and starts to hit stupid dropshot a good player would punish with his eyes closed.

Seriously, today I went to practice with him and I could not hit a decent ball, meaning the only thing that came at me was serious junk. In a match that is fine. If you want to play like that, I will just run down all those balls and put them away. But in practice, there is nothing funny about.

I just do not understand that if I throw a half paced ball at him fairly in the middle of the court, and he can take the initiative, the only thing he does is playing hopeless dropshots. Some of them are good, but some can easily be reached, so he is counting on errors of his opponent and avoids all initiative.

If anyone thinks that by using these strategies you are getting any better, just forget it.

He continously plays dropshots on second serves that sit up, where he would have a wide range of possibilities to put them away. A dropshot is one of them and a valid variant if you do it from time to time, but you can also hit a winner or a strong shot down the line or crosscourt. Playing stupid dropshot that are oh so predictable does not really enhance your skills.

I am seriously thinking of not training with him anymore. I am disappointed for him that after such a long time of playing he hasn't been able to develop any stroke mecanisms. Actually he can hit hard if he wants to but his technique is just crap.
Click to expand...

Just dont play with him. There are plenty of players around! Besides, unless he asks for advice or asks to be taught on how to get better, he should just be left alone. So just forget about it.
 
nickarnold 20000 you are right .i have become a member of your club."i love to play the pusher "club once you know what you are in for it is kimda fun to torcher the pusher back by not falling for his tricks turning the tables and watching THE PUSHER get frustrared. one pusher i play has a great drop shot off the backhand. i use your tactic to hit to his forehand up the line fom my back hand he goes crosscourt i hit forehand up the line to his backhand and moe foward .i am ready for the dropper and can take time away getting to a drive early and hitting it to the open court.
 
to beat the pusher, you must become the pusher. meaning that you should understand his intentions in order to exploit them. or quite literally: just push back. i've found that pushers don't like other pushers. give him pace and he frustrates me by getting it back. give him a high bounding deep ball and he won't be able to do anything with it. playing the pusher game will give you more time to get into an attack position and it usually results in an easy put away volley.

serve & volley. pushers rarely know what to do with serve and volleyers. they likely cannot hit a passing shot or a perfect lob over you everytime and you'll get a lot of easy volley winners.

as others suggested, bringing a pusher to net is very effective. they usually can't volley and you can tee off on a groundstroke with confidence that an error is sure to follow.
 
That's why it pays to practice all the shots and become a well rounded player. When it's a "serious match" you can adapt to your opponent's game style.
PS I don't think you have to "push to beat a pusher" but I do beleive that you need good solid GS and the patient frame of mind that more balls are going to be coming back.
 
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I find that many pushers can run down balls and can return pace, so you need to be smart about hitting angles and hitting hard because you will end up with a lot more errors than points to show for it.

While it is suggested above, I don't think that point is made clearly enough that a good strategy is to really mix up your shots. The pusher wants to get into long rallies, and will really start grooving the ball if you keep on supplying the same pace and spin. By hitting smartly with slice, top spin, angle, etc. so that every shot is different, you can stay in the rally and force the oponent to make better shots. It is also way more interesting for you to play that way, helping you keep focus.
 
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