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Strategy Lesson
of the Week:
How a Baseliner Should Play a Net Rusher
Strategy Question
How do I play a net rusher if I am a baseliner?
Answer
Being mentally ready to play the net rusher is extremely important. The
basic strategy of the net rusher is to get to the net as soon as possible
- by serving and volleying, hitting an approach or simply chipping and coming
behind your second serve. The net rusher's goals are to come in and put
away volleys and overheads - or simply put enough pressure on you so you
miss. Just as the net rusher is putting pressure by attacking, the baseliner
has to be mentally be ready to answer back with passing shots and strong
returns.
No one can hit clean, pin-point passing shots all day long, especially as
the match progresses into a second or third set. So get it into your head
that you will pass some and miss some. Hopefully you will pass more than
you will miss. It's almost always true that the winner in tennis not the
one who hits the most winners, but the one who forces his opponent to make
errors. So therefore the basic strategy for the baseliner is to hit
enough good passing shots that he/she forces the volleyer to make errors
either by missing the approach or the volley itself.
Here are some tips for staying ahead of the net rusher:
1. Don't give away the point
Each time you miss a return or pass, the net rusher gains momentum.
If the net rusher is going to win the point, force him to come up with a
winning volley or overhead. Do not, under any circumstance, give
him the point by missing.
2. Vary your play
The baseliner and net rusher are constantly trying to guess each other's
moves, so hit the ball wherever you sense that there is a hole, whether
it's crosscourt, down the line or a topspin lob. Keep him guessing by mixing
up the returns, the passing shots, and the serves. A smart net rusher will
start picking up patterns.
3. Accept your role
The baseliner must accept and understand the fact that the net rusher is
going to come into the net every possible chance he gets. Therefore,
it's imperative that the baseliner tries to stay relaxed, picks a side,
watches the ball, and goes for it. The most common error a baseliner can
make is trying to sneak a quick peek at the net rusher. Keep in
mind, the ball is moving a lot faster than the net rusher.
4. Understand your strengths
Very rarely is there an athlete who is so spectacular that he can play an
all-court game with ease. Unless you are one of these athletes, try not
to abandon your own style of play. Trying to get to the net before
your opponent is not a wise strategy unless you know what to do once you
are up there. You will probably be better off sticking to your strengths
and not thinking about changing your game until you are sure it's not going
to work for you.
5. Don't try to end the point too quickly
Don't try to end the point too quickly by overhitting when you do get into
a groundstroke exchange. Just think, "I have him right where I want
him - on the baseline." Keep the ball deep and work him from side to
side. Since baseline play is not the net rusher's strength, he will probably
give you an opportunity to go for the aggressive winner or simply give you
a short ball to come in on, enabling you to knock off a winning volley yourself.
In conclusion, if the baseliner can simply make the net rusher play
more volleys, the baseliner is giving his opponent a good chance to make
errors and eventually lose the match - for very few net rushers
have the hands and touch of a John McEnroe. Remember the net rusher is counting
on the baseliner to miss a good percentage of is passes. Don't do him any
favors today.
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