Last month’s piece dealt with the importance of varying your game in order to be unpredictable. It’s worthwhile exploring this theme further. So – how can you vary your game when your opponent is at the net?
YOUR OPTIONS
1. THE DRIVE PASS: hit hard, with minimal spin and low over the net. Use power and placement to force an error from the volleyer – if she can get to it.
2. THE CHIPPED PASS: hit softly, with a little underspin, low over the net. Many volleyers struggle to control low, soft shots, especially when they carry underspin (AKA backspin or slice).
3. THE WHIPPED PASS: hit at a medium pace, with heavy topspin, low over the net. Lots of topspin makes the ball dip to the volleyer’s feet. No one likes to play shots off their shoelaces!
4. THE OFFENSIVE LOB: hit at a medium to fast pace, with lots of topspin. Dips when it gets over the volleyer’s head. When it bounces, the topspin makes the ball `run` towards the fence.
5. THE DEFENSIVE LOB: hit at a slow to medium pace, with no real spin but lots of height. Gives the baseliner plenty of time to recover, and the net player plenty of time to agonise over the coming smash…
As previously stated – in tennis unpredictability is a big advantage.
Here’s the latest article in our Tennis Unlocked series by Peter Farrell, one of Ireland’s most experienced coaches. The series will build into a library of knowledge, specifically designed for club-level players, that can help make your match play more effective.
