TennisOne Lessons

Pattern Play, Part 6:

Chip and Charge and Put on the Pressure

By Monty Basnyat
TennisONE Associate Editor

Are you the super competitive type? When you step on the court, do you think in terms of intimidation, domination, total destruction? Don’t get me wrong, I'm not talking about unsportsman like behavior here. Nobody wants to confuse the gentlemanly sport of Tennis with loan sharking. What I'm referring to is exerting steady pressure on opponents, mentally stressing them with aggressive play in order to gain a competitive advantage.

There are many ways to apply pressure; Agassi crushes huge returns and takes the ball early. Sampras uses a booming serve and deadly volleys. For my money, I find rushing the net the best way to turn up the heat. Besides robbing opponents of recovery and set up time, it forces them to make accurate passing shots under pressure. Not an easy thing to do.

Chip and Charge

One of the more effective tactics is to chip and charge on the second serve. Doing so effectively, puts added pressure on an opponent's first serve and creates doubt and tension about the second. The more you come in the more tension you create.

Invariably, opponents will go for tougher passes and bigger serves. This strained thought pattern along with your dominating presence at the net can cause an opponent to crack, perpetuating a downward spiral and providing you with an opportunity to take control of the match.

Court Positioning

The key to attacking the net is court positioning and the ability to open up the court. In the photo, Borg is positioned well inside the baseline. This allows him to take the ball earlier and places him closer to the net after the return. Consequently, his opponent has less time to get ready after making his shot.

The optimum places to return the ball are down the line or to an opponent's weaker side. The ball travels less distance when struck down the line and you have less distance to travel to be in the optimum volleying position by the time your opponent attempts to pass.

Keep the ball low by slicing the return when possible. Topspin balls tend to sit up making it easier for an opponent to hit a passing shot.

You Have the Advantage

Here I easily control this point by chipping my opponent's serve down the line and seizing control of the net.

For the most part, chipping and charging on the second serve is the percentage play. Doing it early and often in the match can set the tone through out and keep the server off balance. However, like every patterned tactic, mix it up, to keep your opponent guessing.

Try this tactic on big points. Whether you win or lose the point, you still gain an advantage.

You win the point:

You are up a break.
You get a feel for how your opponent reacts to big point situations. Maybe your opponent is a good player in normal situations but as soon as you put a little pressure on he falls apart.
You discover your opponent hates hitting passing shots.

You loose the point:

You've sent your opponent a very powerful message. “Miss your first serve and I’m going to be all over that net.” Even though you’ve lost the point, the server will try to do more with the serve.
Because of the added pressure, you may start seeing more second serves. I know many players at almost every level who have fantastic first serves and below average to mediocre second serves.
You discover a weakness. Your opponent can’t hit a forehand pass under pressure.

Who do you Chip and Charge Against?

For the most part, against everyone! I have not watched, coached, or played against a single player, who can stay calm and cool under pressure at all times.

When a big server gives you an opportunity to see a second serve, take it to him by returning and rushing the net. Perhaps the next time he may take a little off the first serve.
Against a server who has a hitch (does not have a smooth and fluid motion), you know it’s going to fall apart under pressure.
Against a serve and volleyer. Chip and take the net before she does. Force her to play outside her normal game.
Against an opponent who takes the ball early to dictate points from the ground. Chip and charge and dictate play before he does.

To be a good net rusher, whether chipping and charging, serving and volleying or just approaching, you must have the correct mind set. Do not stray from the tactic because you get passed a few times. Think about the big picture. Be persistent, have a short memory, and on the next big point, your opponent may start feeling the tension. Then it's your game I guarantee it. Put this thought pattern inside your opponents head and sooner or later you are going to get the break.

Last Updated 9/1/98. To contact us, please email to: webmaster@tennisone.com