The unbeatable game

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The unbeatable game

by Alex
(U.S.A, MN)

A few days ago I played in our local tournament. I'm 13yrs old but a coach of mine recommended I play in the 15s division. (Weird age groups, don't ask me)

My first two matches I won with ease and along with a bye I was in the semi-finals. The guy I was playing had a deep forehand topspin shot (a nearly identical backhand shot) that would always reach above chest height which regularly made me hit my shots only around 2-4 feet behind the service box.

He would step up to these shorter balls and surgically hit the singles lines either down the line or crosscourt which often I either couldn't touch or barely get back and in that instance he would come to the net and easily finish the point.

I normally look at ever opportunity to take a place at the net so occasionally when I got an offensive shot I would take the net and he would pass me with ease.

I tried many other techniques to beat this guy but nothing worked thanks to his extreme accuracy for the "lines".

My question would be what to do to get this guy off his game or find a way to play effectively against his style of play. Thanks!!!

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Jun 26, 2009
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An opportunity to implement some new stuff maybe?
by: Julian

If I'm understanding well, what I get is that the deep high balls are obviously not allowing you to set up well enough as to produce sufficient power on your shots, and that's why they're landing short on his court. Have you tried stepping a few feet into the court and taking them earlier before they reach their peak height? In other words on the rise? This way you'll be able to take them at a much better height for you allowing you to produce more power. I'm also guessing that you might be giving away too much court position by having to step back to handle his shots, and the whole scenario is keeping you on the defensive.

Taking balls on the rise would make you more offensive since you'd be hitting more comfortably. If you could add to that some corner placement the whole dynamic of the game could certainly tilt to your advantage. Let's not forget you're playing older, and very likely more skilled/experienced players (strategically speaking) so don't knock yourself. Look at it positively, maybe now it's the right time to start Implementing new and more advanced skills like hitting on the rise. Your coach seems to believe you're ready...

(Whenever possible try to give him a taste of his own recipe by giving him some deep high over the net shots and/or the occasional dropshot. Both alternatives will take your opponent away from his strong baseline game)

Good Luck!

Jun 27, 2009
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Lots of Practice
by: Nick

Finding a way to counter a high deep topspin shot can be found through a lot of practice handling this shot.

That seems to be the root of your problem. This is considering that everything else you said about your opponent was that he hit a finishing shot.

I play similarly to the guy you describe. I can send heavy topspin moonballs that bounce above my opponent's heads then hit the fence. Most people miss it or hit a short ball that can be put away.

A short term solution is stepping back, if it does not hit the back fence after the first bounce. If it does hit the fence after the bounce then you do not have this option. Taking the ball as it descends will be easier but you give up your offensive court position (by about 3 feet back, right?)

The way to handle that shot, in order to keep an offensive position, is to hit the ball while it's bouncing up or "on the rise".

Get a partner or use a ball machine to give you these kind of balls. At first just try and get the timing of hitting the ball with your racket at your strike zone (about hip-shoulder height). *Warning* you will wiff a lot at the beginning, but it will get better is you stick to it.

Focus on neutralizing that shot by sending it back deep. Eventually you will be able to place it and hit a more offensive shot with a lot of practice.

This is not easy. If you have the determination you can master this skill.

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The unbeatable game

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The unbeatable game