Playing against a lefty with tons of spin

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Playing against a lefty with tons of spin

I'm playing against my friend who plays almost exactly like Nadal. He is lefty and uses an extreme western grip.

He loves to play with a ton of topspin and runs around his backhand whenever he can to spin it back.

Even though I use a two-handed backhand it's really tough for me to continue to get hammered with spin cross-court on an extreme angle.

I need tips to start beating him!

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Playing against a lefty with tons of spin

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Mar 16, 2009
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He can only work with what you give him...
by: Julian

There's not one ready made solution to counteract what you're describing. There are different strategies you can apply (if you can execute them) that could neutralize what he seems to (comfortably) be doing to you.

In other words, you're talking about a player who's able to execute certain types of shots that you're having a hard time handling... Well, the first thing you're going to have to seriously consider is that he can't do any of this on his own.... He's just working with what you're giving him... this is all happening based on what you're allowing him to do.

I know this may sound obvious to you now that I brought it to your attention (maybe not) But I feel I have to make this point clear because on your post you come across as if you're just a helpless and uninvolved observer of this guy's lethal game... and you need to change your mind about that right away and start thinking differently.

He runs around his backhand and pounds away with his heavy topspin because you are letting him...

So, for the solution... Did you think of (as much as possible) never catering to his backhand side again for example? Or if/when you had no other choice at a given moment, what kind of shot are you going to give him? Does he hate slices to his backhand, maybe loopy deep moonballs. Can you try an occasional drop-shot and keep him guessing as to when you're going to give him the paceless, bounceless and heavy with backspin shot? Could he hit a heavy topspin forehand if you gave him that? How about hitting to the middle of his court also? You would take away that crazy angle of his if you did that...

So you need to explore the possibilities... and apply a new strategy that you can execute of course. Mainly keep in mind that what he's doing is being allowed by what you're giving him. Change that and you'll take him away from his comfort zone.

This website and the books by Tomaz are a great source to explore for more answers. They helped me a lot to understand the game and provide with a in depth analysis of strategies and possibilities for any kind of situation.

Good Luck to you! Post your progress here and tell us how it went...

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Mar 16, 2009
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Submitted by: Julian

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Comment
There's not one ready made solution to counteract what you're describing. There are different strategies you can apply (if you can execute them) that could neutralize what he seems to (comfortably) be doing to you. In other words, you're talking about a player who's able to execute certain types of shots that you're having a hard time handling... Well, the first thing you're going to have to seriously consider is that he can't do any of this on his own.... He's just working with what you're giving him... this is all happening based on what you're allowing him to do. I know this may sound obvious to you now that I brought it to your attention (maybe not) But I feel I have to make this point clear because on your post you come across as if you're just a helpless and uninvolved observer of this guy's lethal game... and you need to change your mind about that right away and start thinking differently. He runs around his backhand and pounds away with his heavy topspin because you are letting him... So, for the solution... Did you think of (as much as possible) never catering to his backhand side again for example? Or if/when you had no other choice at a given moment, what kind of shot are you going to give him? Does he hate slices to his backhand, maybe loopy deep moonballs. Can you try an occasional drop-shot and keep him guessing as to when you're going to give him the paceless, bounceless and heavy with backspin shot? Could he hit a heavy topspin forehand if you gave him that? How about hitting to the middle of his court also? You would take away that crazy angle of his if you did that... So you need to explore the possibilities... and apply a new strategy that you can execute of course. Mainly keep in mind that what he's doing is being allowed by what you're giving him. Change that and you'll take him away from his comfort zone. This website and the books by Tomaz are a great source to explore for more answers. They helped me a lot to understand the game and provide with a in depth analysis of strategies and possibilities for any kind of situation. Good Luck to you! Post your progress here and tell us how it went...

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Mar 16, 2009
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no angle, no pace, slice
by: Walter

Hi,

Try this:

1. a lot through the middle, deep with no much pace slice and or loopy spin balls

2. play deep on the forehand with slice and then cross-court on the backhand, he will have trouble to run around his backhand

3. play low and short, to get him to the net

Have fun and remember tennis with passion!

Mar 27, 2009
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No
by: Tennis for Humans

Your friend plays like Nadal?

Apr 02, 2009
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A tip
by: Anonymous

When I play someone with a full western grip I always play a flatter ball. Consider it to be a laser beam, I also always at least once a game throw in some nasty back spin or side spin to keep the player off balance, and to make them dig the ball off the ground. As a rule of thumb, keep the ball low to the ground, do not let the ball jump up into their "wheel house". Enjoy.

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Playing against a lefty with tons of spin

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Playing against a lefty with tons of spin