Secret Formula to Beat a Pusher!

[Spinal Tap]

1. Hit more winners than the pusher, or
2. Hit fewer unforced errors

Seriously, the way to beat a pusher is to get better at the fundamentals of tennis. If your shots and strategy are better, you will win. Tips like "get them to the net" or "make them hit passing shots" are really useless if you don't have the skills. I used to get beat by pushers all the time because I would hit too many errors, and I was incapable of sustaining a rally. I could hang in a match with similar players to myself because they would hit lots of errors too, which made me think I was better than I actually was.

If you have powerful shots that are consistent, coupled with proper shot selection, you should have no problem beating a pusher of similar NTRP rating.

 

[Bagumbawalla]

"If your shots and strategy are better, you will win."

Exactly.

It always puts me off a bit when I see somebody write something like, "I'm no good with volleys, lobs or overheads so what is the secret to beating this really good doubles team that always gives my partner and I so much trouble?"

In almost every case the answer to almost every question, here, is practice, get better, learn all the skills, have a full court game with no obvious weakness, become mentally efficient, learn winning strategies/tactics, get physically fit, move well.. and then... it's easy.

 

[Steady Eddy]

1. Hit more winners than the pusher, or
2. Hit fewer unforced errors

Seriously, the way to beat a pusher is to get better at the fundamentals of tennis. If your shots and strategy are better, you will win. Tips like "get them to the net" or "make them hit passing shots" are really useless if you don't have the skills. I used to get beat by pushers all the time because I would hit too many errors, and I was incapable of sustaining a rally. I could hang in a match with similar players to myself because they would hit lots of errors too, which made me think I was better than I actually was.

If you have powerful shots that are consistent, coupled with proper shot selection, you should have no problem beating a pusher of similar NTRP rating.

While I agree with alot of your post, it's still a good idea to get them to the net. Yes, you'll still need some skills, you have to hit a short ball that goes in, and then hit a lob that goes fairly deep without going out. But these aren't very difficult things to do. It's more difficult to backpedal, scissor-kick, and blast away with your overhead than to just toss up a lob. At the public park level, my money will be on the lobber.

What you say is true for the "make them hit passing shots". If it has not occured to someone to rush the net, I doubt very much that they can do much once they get there. This is only a formula for them to lose points even faster. I don't even think it will be easy to beat them by staying back. They love to play that way. But they aren't going to come to the net and become Pete Sampras. They want to stay in the backcourt. So take them out of there.

 

[NLBwell]

If you truly are on an equal rating as a pusher (or anyone else) the match should be very close. The choice of strategies used then becomes important.

 

[GuyClinch]

I agree with the OP. I think on the message boards people want to solve everyones problem. But the real solution is to improve your game. A good strategy can work on everyone.

Your in X situation - and you have the appropriate counter already built in. Its more of a question of execution. It's not about totally changing your style and playing another way because your facing a "pusher"

I remember one poster saying he doesn't want to be like James Blake. LMAO. If we all had his problems. Yes James plays "his game" and that's why he is one of the best tennis players in the world.

 

[larry10s]

I agree with the OP. I think on the message boards people want to solve everyones problem. But the real solution is to improve your game. A good strategy can work on everyone.

Your in X situation - and you have the appropriate counter already built in. Its more of a question of execution. It's not about totally changing your style and playing another way because your facing a "pusher"

I remember one poster saying he doesn't want to be like James Blake. LMAO. If we all had his problems. Yes James plays "his game" and that's why he is one of the best tennis players in the world.

james blake is NOT one of the best players in the world his go for broke style is flashy when he is on ,he is an american so we read about him alot, but his up and down consisitency falls right into a pushers hands.

 

[GuyClinch]

james blake is NOT one of the best players in the world his go for broke style is flashy when he is on ,he is an american so we read about him alot, but his up and down consisitency falls right into a pushers hands.

LMAO. Wow - and do you hit with anyone better then him? James doesn't hit with any "pushers" BTW.

 

[Nellie]

james blake is NOT one of the best players in the world his go for broke style is flashy when he is on ,he is an american so we read about him alot, but his up and down consisitency falls right into a pushers hands.

What are you talking about?! He is currently 14th in the world and peaked at 4th? You may not like his style but he is, without a doubt, "one of the best players in the world."

 

[Nanshiki]

Pushers and defensive players will often fall into the hands of a strong offensive net player. Putaway shots are hard even for pushers/counter-punchers to defend against; slow, high shots are easy to volley and more likely to get put away or smashed; and pushers, by definition, don't hit good passing shots.

 

[coach81]

Tennis Tips-How To Beat A Pusher Video

Tennis Tips-How To Beat A Pusher Video

 

[Babo]

LMAO. Wow - and do you hit with anyone better then him? James doesn't hit with any "pushers" BTW.

Hahaha couldnt have said it better