Rhythm & Flow Tennis

4^th in a series on countering styles

There are two types of attacking styles in tennis: Net rushers and Big  Servers.

Net Rushers  apply pressure by going to the net as often as possible. They get to the net by serving and volleying, coming in off 2^nd serves ,or short balls. They rely on the opponent having to pass them so often that it wears the opponent down. Here’s how you can beat them.

1. When the opponent comes to the net, watch the ball, not the opponent.

Focus on the ball and picking your target. Ignore the opponent. They are coming in regardless. Once he knows you are not rushed to pass him and do not mind him winning a fair share of the points when he has hit a good approach, this player has little left to beat you with.

2. Think “Pressing shot” before “Passing shot”.

A “pressing shot” is aimed at the service line to force the opponent to play a low volley or half-volley. “Press” first, then “pass”.

3. Think plural – “Passing shots”, not “Passing shot”

When the opponent approaches the net, a common mistake is to try to pass them with one spectacular shot. Unless their approach shot is short or weak, you need to think in terms of more than one shot. Direct the first shot at their feet (pressing shot) or into the body to force a weak first volley. Then pass them with the second shot.

4. Avoid hitting the ball up the middle in baseline exchanges.

You want to angle this style off the court. This forces them to attack from outside the sidelines.

5. Move to the net yourself.

These players like opponents staying back,  because they can control that type of opponent. On your service games, make them play where they are most uncomfortable – on the baseline.

6. Serve out wide if they starts coming in behind their return.

This opens up the court for you to pass.

7. Serve into the body on 2^nd

They want the ball on the side of their body, especially if they like to “chip and charge”.

8. Return low.

Try to hit the service return low at their feet to force him to volley “up”.

9. Try to make as many returns off the first serve as you can.

A high volume of balls pays off later when the pressure is high. Make the first serve return, even if it gives them an easy volley.

10. Attack the second serve by rushing the opponent

Move up the court and hit early so the opponent has less reaction time. Pace is not as important as taking the ball early against this type of player.