The Art of the Approach

by Jim McLennan

The Angle of Play

In the following diagram, your opponent hits from the forehand corner. The lines made from the shots hit crosscourt and/or down the line form the angle of play. The sharpest crosscourt and perfect down the line shot form the possible angle. The average crosscourt and average down the line shot form the probable angle. The possible angle is larger and more difficult to cover; the probable angle is somewhat smaller, easier to cover, and more likely to occur.

The best position, which enables you to get to the most shots, occurs along the line that bisects the opponent’s angle of play. The further you are from that line, the less shots you will be able to get to.

Position yourself, whenever possible, on the mid line of the opponent's angle of play. On the midline, you reach the majority of shots. 

When playing I prefer covering the smallest possible angle with the greatest amount of time, and in that instance I can get to nearly everything. On the other hand, when the opponent’s angle becomes too great and or I have too little time, I have far less fun.

Compare the net position with the baseline position. At the net you move a shorter distance (to either the down the line or the crosscourt) and have less time than at the baseline. At the baseline, you move farther, and have more time to do it. 

Your opponent’s angle of play decreases when they hit from well behind the baseline. Their angle of play (and the amount you may run) increases when they move closer to the net. Always attempt to play deep groundstrokes (to reduce the opponent's angle of play) and when reasonably close to the net go for the sharpest angles.

Professional example: Bjorn Borg played well behind the baseline, he ran great lengths during his matches. John McEnroe was all over the net, quickness his stock in trade, he ran much shorter foot races than his backcourt contemporaries.

In all cases, it boils down to court sense, knowing when to drive the ball deep and when to find the angle. Knowing when to slow down your shot to gain more time, and when to speed up your shot to rob your opponent of time. Strategy in a nutshell - varying time and finding the angles.

McEnroe was, and still may be, the master at the net rushing style of play. In each and every point, his entire focus, rationale, and end point was control of the net. When forced wide he defended, floated the ball, anything to neutralize the opponent. But once his opponent played anything even the slightest bit short, Mac was all over it, and on the way to the net. Offense, attack, pressure, the all court forcing game. 

Take the time to review all of his net rushing plays within the ProStrokes Gallery. When you have finished this review you will have a great picture of how to take and control the net.

Your comments are welcome. Let us know what you think about Jim McLennan's article by emailing us here at TennisONE.