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.
When do you play the tennis approach shot? You should try to do so when the ball is short and near the service line. Do not try it from the baseline as it takes too long for you to make it to the net. Your opponent would have passed you by then.
As the phrase suggests, the approach shot is a shot which allows you to approach somewhere. And that 'somewhere' is the net. One plays an approach shot in order to move up and take charge of the net in order to volley or smash the ball for a winner.
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.
Aggression comes from power and speed of the ball. The approach forehand should be hit low and flat. This will prevent the opponent to have time to retrieve the ball.
Following up from the approach shot, one could then either expect to volley or even hit an overhead smash. One has to be ready when at the net to either execute the volley or overhead smash.
The volley has to be done in a crouch position in order that you can see the ball earlier and be more alert towards a the return shot from the opponent. One should then volley the ball away from the opponent.
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 below for our private and group lessons.
Happy Learning & Playing!
When do you play the tennis approach shot? You should try to do so when the ball is short and near the service line. Do not try it from the baseline as it takes too long for you to make it to the net. Your opponent would have passed you by then.
As the phrase suggests, the approach shot is a shot which allows you to approach somewhere. And that 'somewhere' is the net. One plays an approach shot in order to move up and take charge of the net in order to volley or smash the ball for a winner.
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.
Aggression comes from power and speed of the ball. The approach forehand should be hit low and flat. This will prevent the opponent to have time to retrieve the ball.
Following up from the approach shot, one could then either expect to volley or even hit an overhead smash. One has to be ready when at the net to either execute the volley or overhead smash.
The volley has to be done in a crouch position in order that you can see the ball earlier and be more alert towards a the return shot from the opponent. One should then volley the ball away from the opponent.
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 below for our private and group lessons.
Happy Learning & Playing!
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