Teach me how to Chip and Charge

[wfudeac]

Lately I have been serve and volleying, just because it's so fun. I can place my serves pretty decently, and close really fast, the only problem is working on my volleys. I figure the only way to get better is to keep doing it, even if I lose points in the process.

I would also like to learn the basics of chipping/charging. I really haven't read a whole lot about it, and Tennis Magazine hasn't talked about it lately either. What exactly do you do, and is it basically a return and volley? Where do you aim your chip, and how far back in the court? A little feedback, please!

 

[Rickson]

Lately I have been serve and volleying, just because it's so fun. I can place my serves pretty decently, and close really fast, the only problem is working on my volleys. I figure the only way to get better is to keep doing it, even if I lose points in the process.

I would also like to learn the basics of chipping/charging. I really haven't read a whole lot about it, and Tennis Magazine hasn't talked about it lately either. What exactly do you do, and is it basically a return and volley? Where do you aim your chip, and how far back in the court? A little feedback, please!

Whoa! Easy, killer. You shouldn't go kamikaze in order to learn volleying skills. One of my buddies, Carlos, used to do exactly that (go kamikaze) and I lobbed him at will. Carlos used very poor approach shots and weak serves so I was able to take advantage of that and I beat him quite easily. When you serve and volley, come in behind strong serves that prompt weak replies and you should get some easy putaways. If you come in behind a weak serve, you'll very likely get passed by any halfway decent player. As for chipping approach shots, go up the line and not crosscourt, with a backspin groundstroke. Make sure your approach shot lands past the service line or you'll become pass bait. Good luck with your approach shots.

 

[mdhubert]

Slice long down the line or short cross-court, usually on your BH but it can be on your FH, and move forward. The slice gives you time to charge the net and bounces low, which is more difficult to attack. Chip and charge on second kicked/topspin serves that bounce high, it's easier. Watch Henman or Rusedski, they do it quite often.

 

[joe sch]

C/C is easier than trying to blast service return winners.
You need good volleying and half-volleying skills.
Try to block the returns short with slice underspin on the ball.
Practice chips against a friend serving until you can consistenty get them short while not popping them up, since these will be easy passes. Its best to chip down the line to minimize the cross court passing opportunities. Study some of the old Resedski matches, he was very good at this type of game. C/C is a great skill to add to your arsenal.

 

[Marius_Hancu]

check my posting on
Serve and Volley
in the Sticky (topmost thread) and check the clips with Edberg there

also, check Noelle's posting there on Footwork

 

[7zero]

C/C is easier than trying to blast service return winners.
You need good volleying and half-volleying skills.
Try to block the returns short with slice underspin on the ball.
Practice chips against a friend serving until you can consistenty get them short while not popping them up, since these will be easy passes. Its best to chip down the line to minimize the cross court passing opportunities. Study some of the old Resedski matches, he was very good at this type of game. C/C is a great skill to add to your arsenal.

maybe I do not get it. So you advise slice short low ball DTL and attack net? Isn't easy for oponent to lob me then? I always thought I must push them as deep as possible to have good volley opportunity..

 

[SoBad]

maybe I do not get it. So you advise slice short low ball DTL and attack net? Isn't easy for oponent to lob me then? I always thought I must push them as deep as possible to have good volley opportunity..

Hitting short slices was a viable tactic in 2003 -- 2007.

 

[7zero]

Hitting short slices was a viable tactic in 2003 -- 2007.

I am always late!

 

[SoBad]

I am always late!

If you are sincere, forget about the tactics and just focus on moving well. Move well and hit through every ball, unless you're desperately stretched.

 

[7zero]

If you are sincere, forget about the tactics and just focus on moving well. Move well and hit through every ball, unless you're desperately stretched.

well i meant I am late with picking up tennis as sport - but yeah you are right too, I am late in positioning too!

 

[SoBad]

well i meant I am late with picking up tennis as sport - but yeah you are right too, I am late in positioning too!

Were you playing soccer before? Anyway, my best advice is to forget about gear and tactics until you hit your physical ceiling.

 

[7zero]

Were you playing soccer before? Anyway, my best advice is to forget about gear and tactics until you hit your physical ceiling.

high school basketball later some running, MTB and downhill skiingbut no big deal. At 40+ age I am going downhill physically I am afraid.. anyway this debate was about C/C not my game

 

[SoBad]

They used to purposely ice the slopes in slalom competitions when I was a little boy, to make it fair. You are right though, this particular debate is about C/C, hopefully Rickson chimes in with an update.

 

[newpball]

Lately I have been serve and volleying, just because it's so fun. I can place my serves pretty decently, and close really fast, the only problem is working on my volleys. I figure the only way to get better is to keep doing it, even if I lose points in the process.

I would also like to learn the basics of chipping/charging. I really haven't read a whole lot about it, and Tennis Magazine hasn't talked about it lately either. What exactly do you do, and is it basically a return and volley? Where do you aim your chip, and how far back in the court? A little feedback, please!

Here is a nice classic chip and charge gif, look at the intensity of the shot to provide the right amount of spin:

:grin:

 

[7zero]

Here is a nice classic chip and charge gif, look at the intensity of the shot to provide the right amount of spin:

:grin:

to me it looks like not quite well executed lob..

 

[nhat8121]

that's good, but can you teach me how to dougie?

 

[Maximagq]

Here is a nice classic chip and charge gif, look at the intensity of the shot to provide the right amount of spin:

:grin:

Is it just me or is that who I think it is? Is that a young Roger Federer?

 

[newpball]

Is it just me or is that who I think it is? Is that a young Roger Federer?

Good guess, it is indeed the young Federer.

:grin:

 

[Maximagq]

Good guess, it is indeed the young Federer.

:grin:

Where did you find this gif? I could tell as soon as I saw him hit that slice backhand.

 

[newpball]

Where did you find this gif? I could tell as soon as I saw him hit that slice backhand.

I made it, it is some footage I selected from an old documentary about the young Federer.

And yes that slice is definite a Federer signature!

:grin:

 

[junior74]

It is very important to be aggressive when hitting the approach slice, if it is low and deep you will almost always get a nice chance of putting away the volley, as it is such an awkward ball to hit for the opponent. Almost impossible to lob and hard to get any pace on. You comming in behind it, makes it even harder!
The best news is that it is actually easier to hit a penetrating slice when you're moving in behind it, it makes the slice heavier and you hit it more in front of your body. If you don't lean forward into the shot, it is harder to keep it low.

 

[J_R_B]

Good guess, it is indeed the young Federer.

:grin:

OK, so we've established that to successfully chip and charge, you need to hit slice backhands like Roger Federer and then come in behind them. No problem.

 

[junior74]

OK, so we've established that to successfully chip and charge, you need to hit slice backhands like Roger Federer and then come in behind them. No problem.

No worries: You may use the Fernando Lopez slice, if you like

 

[LeeD]

C/C....
Try to chip DTL mostly, as CC approach shots make you Roddick.
Short or extremely deep depends on positioning and skills of the opponent. Lots of modern opponent's don't pass well against short heavy underspin skidded balls. The worst spot to land your approach shot is usually mid NML with little pace and spin. Biting slices within 2' of the baseline and right AT the service line can work effectively.
If opponent lobs, you stay just inside the your service line.
If opponent tends to hit passing shots, you step in as he hits, so you're in mid service box to receive his pass attempt.
You have to know a little about your opponent, forget lucky shots or mistakes, and play the overall percentages.