Returning short, low balls

[CashDudeHomie]

I'm having trouble figuring out the best way to approach these. I'm very comfortable playing from the baseline, but eventually I get a mis-hit or drop shot that lands inside the service area and by the time I get there, the ball is at net height or lower. Where should I place these? Cross court is obviously easier because the net is lower but they usually expect that and can return it up the line before I recover. If I try to get a lot of speed and top spin, I often hit it into the net. How should I approach this situation?

 

[ucd_ace]

When I hit these shots, my main focus is dealing with hitting the ball with a lot of spin to avoid hitting it in the net or hitting it long. I think you should continue hitting these shots but give yourself a high margin of error. More spin, less pace and focus on keeping the ball in play and deep to either corner. The most important thing is to make sure you get up to the ball as quickly as possible and get for feet set and shoulders turned before you hit the ball.

You also have the option of playing a deep slice to either corner as well and then follow your shot up to net to put away the easy volley.

Until you get comfortable with hitting out on these balls, just make sure that you play these balls deep and to the corners and then get in position for the next ball.

 

[tennis_hand]

If you are really very late in getting to the ball, do a high backspin lob by just chopping the racket to under the ball, but making sure it is deep enough so your opponent won't smash it away easily.

 

[dr.freestyler]

i understand your predicament, i often find myself in the same. Using your groudstrokes you have put your opponent at a disadvantage where he has given you a short ball. The problem is you are better are getting to this point than finishing it. I used to always try to spin this short but with a lotta angle, but i would often get burned if the person got to the ball, and after awhile it became predictable. I think you have to find a way to vary how you are goingto finish the point, a few drop shots, a few deep down the line, and a few deep crosscourt. Those deep ones need to have more pace than spin in my opinion to be winners. I think the trick is also to diguise what you are going to do. If you notice the pros, when they get these, they put them away at a very high percentage, >90%. Its to the point where the oposing player usually just gives it away cause there is no Q that the ball will be put away.

 

[Supernatural_Serve]

anytime I am hitting a groundstroke inside the service line, I am looking to use the wide court angles presented if at all possible, especially if I can use an angle and hit away from my opponent. Its a free point whether I slice it or roll my racquet over the ball or hit a little drop shot.

Your opponent generally has a lot of ground to cover or will be out of position to retrieve your shot.

 

[prostaff18]

What ever you do DON’T GO FOR TOO MUCH!! My problem is that I go for way too much when I am in that position. What I do now is slice the ball short and on an angle so that I am at least keeping the point my way. The worst thing that you can do is loose the point by hitting it into the net or going for too much and sailing it long. Stay in the point and try to keep on the offence, but if you cant try to keep the rally neutral. If there is no winner don’t go for one, if you do you will probably make there bad shot a good one. Hit a good deep ball, or a good angle and come into net and put the next shot away!

 

[The Prodigy]

I switch from western to eastern and hit cross-court.