Many a times we wonder what an approach shot is all about. It is one of tennis' most aggressive shots these days.We will try to break down and analyse this shot.
In most cases, one would hit the approach shot on the forehand side as it will be towards the backhand of the opponent. Backhands are generally weaker.
Moving to the net is the key objective of the approach shot as you anticipate after hitting a hard approach shot, the return will be meek. This will allow you to put the ball away for a winner easily. The aim is to intimidate the opponent mentally by putting pressure on him. This will paint a scenario of panic in his mind which could work to your benefit as he crumbles mentally.
There is more than one way to approach the net with an approach shot. If you are in the forehand side, you could either play a forehand cross-court or down the line. Which should you choose? Hitting the ball cross-court and then approaching the net may sound easier as you hit the ball over the lower part of the net i.e. the middle portion. Furthermore, the distance across the court is longer and would be safer with a higher percentage of the ball going in. However, approaching the net with a cross court shot is not technically correct as it leaves you vulnerable to passing shots from your opponent as you wont be able to cover the whole court well. Therefore, it is tactically more correct to approach the net with a down the line shot. Thereafter, one needs to only take a few steps to reach the net and cover either the cross-court or down the line passing shot from the opponent.
A good approach shot which is hard and flat and fast could also be an out right winner. This will allow you the luxury of not having to hit or volley the ball away. Drilling the ball flat will result in less reaction time being allowed to the opponent. This could result in him hitting a fairly weak return.
Once one approaches the net, the objective is to volley or smash the weak return away. Having a good split step is critical in ensuring you are ready for the volley. It could either be a forehand or backhand volley. It could also be an overhead smash. The split step ensures you are ready to pounce on to the ball.
Volleys should be executed with you in a ready position i.e. with knees bent and ready to pounce.
In most cases, one would hit the approach shot on the forehand side as it will be towards the backhand of the opponent. Backhands are generally weaker.
Moving to the net is the key objective of the approach shot as you anticipate after hitting a hard approach shot, the return will be meek. This will allow you to put the ball away for a winner easily. The aim is to intimidate the opponent mentally by putting pressure on him. This will paint a scenario of panic in his mind which could work to your benefit as he crumbles mentally.
There is more than one way to approach the net with an approach shot. If you are in the forehand side, you could either play a forehand cross-court or down the line. Which should you choose? Hitting the ball cross-court and then approaching the net may sound easier as you hit the ball over the lower part of the net i.e. the middle portion. Furthermore, the distance across the court is longer and would be safer with a higher percentage of the ball going in. However, approaching the net with a cross court shot is not technically correct as it leaves you vulnerable to passing shots from your opponent as you wont be able to cover the whole court well. Therefore, it is tactically more correct to approach the net with a down the line shot. Thereafter, one needs to only take a few steps to reach the net and cover either the cross-court or down the line passing shot from the opponent.
A good approach shot which is hard and flat and fast could also be an out right winner. This will allow you the luxury of not having to hit or volley the ball away. Drilling the ball flat will result in less reaction time being allowed to the opponent. This could result in him hitting a fairly weak return.
Once one approaches the net, the objective is to volley or smash the weak return away. Having a good split step is critical in ensuring you are ready for the volley. It could either be a forehand or backhand volley. It could also be an overhead smash. The split step ensures you are ready to pounce on to the ball.
Volleys should be executed with you in a ready position i.e. with knees bent and ready to pounce.
About the Author:
I hope this article will provide some guidance for all would-be tennis players! If you find this article useful and would really wish to learn tennis, please visit us here to book your tennis lessons for kids and adults today!. For more information, please also check out this site.
No comments:
Post a Comment