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Strategy Lesson of the Week:

How a Baseliner Should Play a Net Rusher

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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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