Beating A Consistent Player

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Beating A Consistent Player

by RF
(Colombo)

Hi, I coach my daughters and I am a PTR qualified coach. Game style of my children are that they go for their shots and try to win rather than moonballing and be very defensive where you win on the other persons unforced errors.

How best can they tackle a player of the caliber of a returner where you will have to play 10-20 balls to win one point.

Please advise ASAP since she is due to play this player tommorrow in the finals!

Regards
RF

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Beating A Consistent Player

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Jul 07, 2009
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Aim away from the lines and expect long match
by: Tomaz

Hi RF,

You didn't mention the age of your children but I assume they are under 14 or something like that.

If under 14 girl wants to beat a moonballing opponent by going for her shots, she would have to be exceptional.

The errors against winners is typically not in her favor - the risk is too big.

You may advise them to keep playing aggressively but aim away from the lines and expect 8, 10 or 12 returned balls before they get a clear advantage in the point.

The intention of their opponent is to return enough balls back so that your daughter will go for too much because she doesn't want to stay in the rally anymore (and work hard).

So it's good to be aware of that too.

They must also be aware that their opponents cannot hurt them so there is no panic and they have enough time to prepare each point by consistently building the point with good shots.

They can also rest in between and just moonball back - to show the opponent that they are not afraid of playing their game.

Jul 07, 2009
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Beating a Consistent Player (moonballer)
by: TennisTom

I have been teaching and coaching female players for many seasons (decades) and my response to the moonball LOB situation seems to be in the minority, however what I suggest works for most of my students, even at a 2.5-3.0 level.

It makes no sense to get in a moonball lobbing contest with a moonballer because she is ready to hit high lobs until you eventually miss. This is why lobbers use the tactic, and they are really good at it.

As soon as my students learn to hit a serviceable overhead (practice of course is the key), I suggest to them that they hit an OVERHEAD at every opportunity from anywhere on the court, including the baseline -- not a smash or attempt to hit an outright winner, just an overhead.

See if you agree with the following reasoning:

1) If you can get your serve IN most of the time then it is at least as easy to hit an overhead with the entire court as your target as it is to hit the service box.

2) You have plenty of time to let the opponent's lob bounce in front of you and set up for you.

3) Your medium-paced overhead will probably have more pace than your groundstroke or lob. As you get better at this you can add a little more pace and even a little slice (side spin).

4) You can forget hitting your shot wih great depth because this is too risky, but you can aim for their weaker wing (usually their backhand.

5) This is a fun tactic and will pay off for the rest of your tennis life. It's even fun in practice games. Fun, what a concept!

Jul 08, 2009
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Playing Moonballing Opponents
by: RF

Hi Tomaz, Thank you for the reply. Age is 17 and 14, however they are very fit and have all the technical lly correct shots to play any opponent. How ever the y are ok with the baseline game and not the net game and volleying at net etc. which is one of the 5 game situations in tennis.

What strategies could they use to beat a very consistant baseliner???

Also what are the progressions to teach the FH and BH slice?

Await early reply.

Regards
RF

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Beating A Consistent Player

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Beating A Consistent Player