What's the right shot? Short ball to middle from opponent's backhand (ad side)

[eah123]

I'm working on my approach shots. A common situation is a short ball to the middle (near the T) from the opponent's backhand hit from their ad side. What's the best shot? Some options-
Forehand to inside-in to deuce side - can be difficult because it involves changing direction of the ball and "running around" the backhand. Can be hit harder than backhand, and forces opponent to move the most.
Backhand inside-out to deuce side- it is a more natural shot to the deuce side, but has less power/spin than a forehand. Forces opponent to move the most.
Forehand inside-out to ad side- may catch the opponent "behind" if they are moving to the center. Has advantage of my forehand vs. his backhand. Can be difficult to "run around" the backhand. Opponent does not have to move a lot. Federer made this shot famous.
Backhand to ad side - easiest shot to make, but weaker than forehand inside-out.

Tell me your choice and reasoning.

 

[Roforot]

How fast do you move. If you can contact ball at net height w forehand, do it. If you can put away the ball, 70/28/2 iniside in fh, inside out fh, drop shot. I feel you need some inside out fhs to keep them honest and not running straight to deuce side. If you cant put away the fh, go dtl to their backhand assuming its their weaker shot and plan a crosscourt volley or overheadwinner next shot.

 

[johnmccabe]

Attack with angle, then FH topspin short angle to exit from deuce court doubles alley. Attack with depth, then place it to deuce court deep with FH topspin or bh slice depending on contact height, and finish with volley overhead.

If you want to wrong foot the opponent, maybe better to use backhand. Forehand inside out set up position can be easily read.

 

[socallefty]

Be like Alcaraz - show a deep shot and then hit a dropshot winner. Or hit a FH winner that passes the sideline first before the baseline on the deuce side.

 

[toth]

I'm working on my approach shots. A common situation is a short ball to the middle (near the T) from the opponent's backhand hit from their ad side. What's the best shot? Some options-
Forehand to inside-in to deuce side - can be difficult because it involves changing direction of the ball and "running around" the backhand. Can be hit harder than backhand, and forces opponent to move the most.
Backhand inside-out to deuce side- it is a more natural shot to the deuce side, but has less power/spin than a forehand. Forces opponent to move the most.
Forehand inside-out to ad side- may catch the opponent "behind" if they are moving to the center. Has advantage of my forehand vs. his backhand. Can be difficult to "run around" the backhand. Opponent does not have to move a lot. Federer made this shot famous.
Backhand to ad side - easiest shot to make, but weaker than forehand inside-out.

Tell me your choice and reasoning.

Are these incoming ball low or not?
If not i would attak it with forehand.
If low, it is a difficoult situation, i would try to attak the opponent weaker wing, usually the bh.
I dont like to be at the net and see my opponent crush fh passing shots.
Just my opinion (about level 4)

 

[Dragy]

If you have enough time (and you should expect that situation), your best approach is to run around to set up very comfortably for a FH. Once you are well set every time (not running chest-up to the ball, not getting jammed, late, unprepared), you can pick a shot dependent on how wide your opponent is pulled, how fast he's running, is he split-stepping or just rushing to the other side expecting you to go I/I every time.

I would pick an I/I straight-through approach shot with a FH most of the times, and take the net. But if the opponent rushes to the mid-hash when I'm set to make a shot, I'll be going I/O sharp, or sometimes do FH dropshot I/O.

If the shot comes faster and more to the BH side so I'm not in position to run around and set up a FH comfortably, I'll frequently pick a DTL BH, drive if the ball if in the strikezone, or slice approach if it's lower or higher. I can also go for another setup shot like sharp angled slice or CC BH drive and stay back.

 

[LuckyR]

It depends on if, all things being equal, his groundies (passing shot) is better than your net game, which would be common in the Modern era. If so it's more important to be in the optimal position to take the first volley (same side as your opponent) than necessarily your shot strength, per sé.

OTOH if not, then blasting away with whichever is most comfortable (even up the middle) would be okay.

 

[Daniel Andrade]

If you have enough time, forehands are better than backhands. And I would hit them "behind" him. Very easy to hit a winner, HOWEVER, once in a while you have to hit it to the deuce side, so they just don't start waiting for the ball on the ad side.

Obviously all of this depends on the types of balls you are getting, the movement of your opponent, etc

 

[Morch Us]

Tell me your choice and reasoning.

All of the above + drop it short and low via a slice to either side using backhand + why not deep middle since you are already going to be in the center of the court when you hit the approach shot?

Reasoning ? Based on the positioning of the opponent and your streghths. Or in otherwords ALL are viable choices and there is no right or wrong. You just have to be aware of the tradeoffs.

The tradeoffs:
1. Forehand vs Backhand : Most probably you are trading position for next shot (volley), for a better/stronger approach shot
2. deep: Adside vs Dueceside vs Middle: You are considering available/preferred angles for the opponent for next shot for his passing shot compared to your preferred angles and shots for next shot (volley or overhead).
4. short: you are trading the opponents movement to front to his ability to hit a strong shot off short balls (when he is in position).

In otherwords there is no right or wrong. Everyone would have some preferred ways, and so go for that first.

In many cases for guys below 4.0 level the default choice is a deep forehand to opponent ad side, and force an error.

Reasoning? Lack of good understanding of court positionings. So hitting a stronger shot straight to the guy is better than making him run and get vulnerable for a pass, especially since your defense is going to be weak from that position. Also most probably you and your opponent would have a big descrepancy between forehand and backhand consitency+shot quality.

The second choice in many case for this level is a bakhand slice short to duece court. Reasoning? Unlikely to be able to hit a running strong forehand shot from low balls + your court positiong is not compromised much + slice short backhand comes naturarlly consistent to most folks at this level, especially considering that you may not be reaching to your approach shot early enough and may be dealing with a lower contact point.

In the end consistency comes first. I guarantee you, at this level in this scenario 6 out of 10 points end up in unforced error. The next 3 end up in winners out of bad court positioning. Once in a while you see a great approach followed by a volley finish, or a great approach winner/forced error.