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Patient Passing

David W. Smith, TennisOne, Senior Editor

Sadly, many players don't use common sense when structuring a point. That is, they choose to hit lower percentage shots at unnecessary times. More times than not, a more conservative shot could be both smarter and more advantageous.


Click photo to hear Dave Smith talk about the second shot pass.

The most obvious of these situations is when a player is faced with a passing shot from an opponent who has executed an approach shot off a short ball.

There are generalities that, while certainly have exceptions to the rule, should be considered when a player made an approach shot in singles or doubles.

The first of these generalities is that most players who get a short ball will be attacking you with some offensive-type shot to maneuver themselves to the net. Thus, if you are facing one of these attacking players, you most likely will have to be defending a deep, firm, and usually lower bouncing ball (if the attacking player hit a slice approach).

For many, the usual response is to try and hit an aggressive passing shot; a low-percentage topspin drive that often is hit on the run off or from a difficult position in most cases.

Instead of attempting such an arduous shot, consider these issues:

  • The harder you hit your passing shot, the less time you will have to cover any open court left behind you.
  • Many players possess much less effective volleys than approach shots.
  • You probably will be trying to hit a ball over the highest part of the net for your typical passing shot. (In singles, down the line passing shots are strategically more desirable than crosscourt passes.)
  • You probably will be attempting to pass while on the move, off balance, or moving backwards.


Click photo: Max Mirnyi approaches the net but is forced to volley up on a low ball and is then easily passed in this two shot sequence

All of these issues lead up to the topic of this tip: Be patient when trying to hit a passing shot. Many opponents who approach you are simply hoping you will miss the pass altogether! I think we all know that the player making the least number of errors wins most tennis matches. And, especially at lower levels, players usually have much weaker volleys than groundstrokes. So, if you simply make them volley the ball, two things can happen in your favor:

  • They can make an error trying to volley the ball.
  • They can hit a weak volley offering you a much easier passing shot on the second ball

Another thing to consider is the speed of your passing shot. Not only does swinging harder increase the likelihood of an error on your part, but such hard-hit balls tend to stay up higher above the net, making a block angle volley winner by your opponent that much easier. A softer, more finesse-type stroke not only gives you a higher element of consistency, aimed right, such a ball is usually dipping even before the ball crosses the net. (This shot is on its way down when it reaches your opponent instead of rising towards him.) You opponent will need to be even more well-versed in the volley skills department to do something effective or offensive with such a soft, dipping ball. 3.0 and 3.5 level, players notoriously have less effective volleys than approach shots. So, if you are a player competing against such opponents, consider this softer, patient passing shot instead of the alternative!

And for you higher skilled players, consider this simple strategy: Save your best shots for later in the match (if at all!). Even some highly skilled players when forced to hit more balls will fold under the sense that their opponent is simply not going to make a lot of errors!

So, next time your opponent rushes the net, instead of trying to win the point outright, try hitting a softer, safer ball and set yourself up for an easier second shot pass. You're going to make a lot less errors and you'll force your opponent “Win” the match rather than just giving it away!

Your comments are welcome. Let us know what you think about Dave Smith's article by emailing us here at TennisOne .

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Your comments are welcome. Let us know what you think about this article by emailing us here at TennisONE.

David W. Smith is the Director of Tennis for the St. George Tennis Academy in St. George Utah. He has been a featured writer in USPTA's magazine ADDvantage in addition to having over 50 published articles in various publications.

David has taught over 3000 players including many top national and world ranked players. He can be reached at acrpres1@email.msn.com.