1. How To Approach The Net With Smart Tactics

There are two main mistakes tennis players make when it comes to approaching the net in terms of tactics:

• they hit the approach shots in the wrong direction
• they usually aim too close to the sidelines, which results in many errors

a) Cross Court vs Down The Line

I overlayed both the cross court and down the line approaches into the same video from the moment I hit the ball to the moment my assistant Kaja hits the passing shot.

When we draw the lines from her contact point to the possible angles that she can hit (down the line and cross court), we can then also draw the dashed line in the middle of those two angles.

And then we can also draw a circle that represents our ideal position at the net where we cover all angles equally well.

As you can see, I am much further from that ideal position at the net when I am approaching cross court than when I am approaching down the line.

That’s why in most cases, it’s much better to approach down the line rather than with a cross court approach shot. 

Coming to the net after a down the line shot gives you much better coverage at the net and often forces your opponent to go for too much on the passing shot since they see very little space around you.

b) Smart Target Area

Tennis players tend to aim too close to the lines when they approach the net because they assume they have that kind of accuracy with the shots (even though they keep making unforced errors).

The reality is that even at the highest level of tennis, players cannot hit with very high consistency a target area that is less than 2 meters (6 feet) wide.

At the recreational level, we can aim at around the same area width since we hit much slower balls than the pros, and that allows us to maintain some degree of accuracy.

When I attempted shots into around a 1-meter wide area (3 feet), I hit around 50% of the shots in.

That is a very low percentage to hit when one has a short ball to attack and the opponent on the run. You are basically gifting them 50% of the points.

Your guideline should be 90% of the shots hit into the 2-meter / 6-feet wide area and then cover the net well, and you’ll still win way over 50% of the points on short balls even though your opponent may pass you here and there.

2. Forehand Approach Shot Technique

You’re probably going to hit more forehand approach shots than backhand ones because most of you are right-handed. You’ll likely target your opponent’s backhands, which are weaker. 

And that means you’ll likely be hitting a forehand down-the-line approach shot after you’ve stretched them wide.

I explained in one of the previous approach-related videos how to create a situation that gives you a very high success rate; you can check it out below.

Tennis players often face two common challenges when executing forehand approach shots:

• They hit the ball too flat, which increases the risk of unforced errors.
• They hit the ball with excessive topspin, resulting in a short, slow ball that makes it easier for the opponent to pass them. 

The key to hitting a forehand approach shot that has power and still some topspin, which helps to bring the ball down on the court, is to just “graze” the ball with topspin.

You can visualize “grazing” the ball with topspin like this:

• Swing at the ball with the racket as if you wanted to hit it flat.
• But then imagine hitting just an area at around 10:30 o’clock (where 9 o’clock is facing you and it would mean hitting the ball flat at the back and 12 o’clock would be the top of the ball) and spin the ball partially there.

I suggest you attempt that at a very low speed first where you drop the ball to yourself like you see me demonstrate in the video, and gently and slowly hit the ball in a way that I describe.

Once you get the hang of it, gradually increase the speed and look to maintain good control of the ball.

With regular practice, you will be able to accelerate much faster at the ball and still be able to hit it with this type of spin which preserves most of the ball’s speed, which is what you want when you hit approach shots on the forehand side.

3. Approach Shot Footwork Patterns

There are two main goals when it comes to the approach shot footwork patterns:

• The footwork needs to help you move quickly towards the net.
• The footwork pattern needs to allow you to hit very accurate shots.

The problem that recreational tennis players face is over-rotating their body as they hit the ball, and that happens on both the forehand and the backhand side.

While we have to hit open stance forehands sometimes when approaching the net, it’s better to hit neutral stance forehands as that allows us to swing in a more linear manner towards the target, which improves our accuracy.

So do the best you can to take care of your footwork as you are about to hit an approach shot with the forehand and try to align into a neutral stance.

You may also need to hop from the front leg onto the same leg while you are keeping your body more sideways for the short moment of hitting the ball, as that helps you hit more accurate shots.

When it comes to backhands, observe my demonstration of the so-called “carioca” step where I move my back leg behind the front leg, as that allows me again to stay more sideways on my backhand approach shots.

So in short, do not just rush and charge to the net as fast as you can because you will not hit accurate approach shots, but rather take care of aligning your body and feet into the more effective footwork patterns that help you move quickly towards the net and hit more accurate shots.

4. Best Shot Timing When Hitting Approach Shots

There’s another very important aspect of approach shots that we need to cover if you want to win a lot of points by forcing errors and finishing points with easy volleys.

And that’s the topic of when to hit the incoming ball, in other words, how to time your approach shot.

There are three options you have:

• hitting the ball on the way down
• hitting the ball on the rise
• and hitting the ball on top of the bounce

Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each situation and what it means to you in terms of risks.

a) Hitting the Ball On The Way Down

If you wait for the ball to start falling down after the bounce, you will have the most time to set up and the most time to really see the ball well.

That will allow you to hit a really clean and controlled shot, and therefore your risk of missing the shot will be very low.

But the disadvantage of waiting for the ball and hitting it on the way down is that you’ll be further away from the net, and you most likely will not come close enough to the net as you approach, and that makes it easy for your opponent to pass you or to force you to hit a weak volley.

b) Hitting The Ball On The Rise

If you want to hit the ball on the rise and approach the net, then you’ll have to really rush towards it before it reaches the peak of its flight, and in most cases, you will have the time to control your footwork, nor will you be able to see the ball well.

And so in most cases, you will not hit the ball clean, nor will you have good control of the shot, so there will be a high risk of missing the shot.

The only “pro” in this situation is that if you do manage to hit the ball in the court, you will put your opponent under time pressure and likely force an error or an easy ball to put away.

c) Hitting On Top Of The Bounce

When you attempt to hit the ball on top of the bounce, you get the best of both worlds. 

You will still see the ball quite well after the bounce and be able to align your body and feet into the right position so that you can hit accurately and with good power.

At the same time, you will be more inside the court and be able to get quite close to the net with your approach to cut off the angles of your opponent’s passing shots.

Summary

When you’re looking to master your tennis approach shots, whether on the backhand or the forehand side, you have to work on 4 key elements: tactics, technique, footwork, and timing.

Here is a quick overview of what to focus on in your next on-court sessions:

• Tactics - approach mostly with down-the-line shots and aim into around a 2-meter / 6-feet wide area.
• Technique - focus on grazing the ball when hitting topspin shots so that your shots still retain a good amount of pace and yet have some topspin on it, which allows you to control the ball well.
• Footwork - a neutral stance on both forehand and backhand sides is better for accuracy, but be flexible to use an open stance on higher balls. Use the carioca step on backhand slice approach shots for better shot accuracy.
• Timing - the best timing to hit the ball is to hit it on top of the bounce. That gives you enough time to position and see the ball well and still come very close to the net after your approach shot to cover the net well against potential passing shots.

The ball is in your court now! If there's something else you want to know when it comes to approach shots in tennis, let me know in the comments below!

Characteristics of a Heavy Ball

A heavy ball in tennis is characterized by three essential components:

• Topspin
• Speed
• Depth

These elements work together to create a challenging shot for your opponent. Topspin provides the ball with a higher trajectory and ensures it dips rapidly as it approaches the other side of the court.

Speed makes the ball difficult to react to, while depth ensures it lands deep within your opponent's court, pushing them back and limiting their offensive options.

To truly understand why all three components are necessary, I conducted an experiment where I applied two components and omitted the third one so that we can see what effect that has on the ball flight.

Experiment 1: Topspin and Height Without Speed

First, I hit balls with plenty of topspin and height but without speed. The results were clear—my assistant Kaja had no difficulty handling these shots.

Despite the heavy topspin and safe height over the net, the lack of speed caused the ball to land short and drop right into Kaja's strike zone (green area) which made it very comfortable to hit it.

This type of shot, while safe and effective up to a certain skill level (around 3.5), becomes ineffective against more advanced players who can easily handle slow-moving balls.

Essentially, without speed, the heavy ball loses its sting.

Experiment 2: Topspin and Speed Without Height

Next, I combined topspin and speed but kept the shots low over the net. This approach was riskier and proved to be less effective. 

Although the balls were fast, they consistently landed in Kaya's strike zone, making it easy for her to return them.

At higher levels of play, players are positioned correctly about 70% of the time, allowing them to control and utilize the speed of your shots against you. 

The high risk of this strategy, combined with its low effectiveness, makes it an unreliable choice for hitting this way.

Experiment 3: Speed and Height Without Topspin

Finally, I hit balls with speed and height but minimal topspin. As expected, this method was the riskiest.

Without topspin, controlling the depth of the shot was challenging, leading to many errors. 

Some balls might trouble an opponent because they fly fast and land deep, but the high risk of mistakes outweighs any potential benefit. 

This experiment reinforced that topspin is crucial for maintaining control and ensuring the ball lands deep in the court.

 The Ideal Heavy Ball

After these experiments, it's evident that a heavy ball requires a balanced combination of topspin, speed, and height. When executed correctly, this shot becomes a powerful weapon:

• Topspin ensures the ball dips sharply and lands deep in the court.
• Speed reduces your opponent's reaction time.
• Height provides a safe margin over the net, reducing the risk of hitting into the net.

When all three components are present, the ball is not only difficult to return but also safe to execute consistently.

The Main Objective Of A Heavy Ball

In practice, hitting a heavy ball allows you to stay aggressive while minimizing errors.

By consistently hitting deep, fast, and topspin-heavy shots, you force your opponent into uncomfortable positions, increasing the likelihood of them making errors, while at the same time playing very consistent yourself.

This strategy provides a foundation for controlling the rally and eventually opening up opportunities to finish the point.

In the next video, we'll delve deeper into the technique behind hitting a heavy ball. We'll cover specific drills, stroke mechanics, and strategic scenarios where a heavy ball is most effective.

Stay tuned for these insights, and if you haven't already, check out my previous video on hitting a good neutralizing ball—a foundational skill for mastering the heavy ball.

When Not To Approach The Net

In tennis, knowing when not to approach the net is as critical as mastering your net game. There are two situations when you want to avoid coming to the net:

The Return Shot Is Not Short Enough: Without a short ball from your opponent, advancing to the net is difficult because you will not get close enough to the net by the time your opponent hits a passing shot.

And that means you will not cover the net well and likely get passed. 

Your Opponent is Within The Singles Sideline: If your opponent remains well within the singles sideline, reconsider your move forward.

This positioning suggests they're not stretched wide enough to compromise their forehand or backhand passing shot and they will likely hit a powerful and precise shot and pass you.

The key to knowing when to approach the net in tennis lies with your opponent. They should be be stretched wide and having played a short ball. 

If you try to approach the net without seeing these cues, you may end up being an easy target at the net.

The Two Conditions Perfect For You To Approach The Net

In many situations, you will need these two key conditions to enhance your chances of winning the point from a net volley:

Your Opponent Steps Over The Single Sideline

Observe your opponent's position closely. When they step on or over the singles sideline, it's your cue to anticipate your approach to the net. 

Because if they stepped over the singles sideline, they now have more than 8 meters (26 feet) to run to the other singles sideline to cover the court and that means they will have to hit shots on the run. 

Your Opponent Returns A Short Ball

The second condition is that your opponent's shot after they have been stretched wide is short.

This scenario often arises when your opponent is off-balance or hurried by your previous shot, resulting in hitting the ball with poor control and less power.

A short ball gives you a chance to move closer to the net after the approach shot and also robs them of time since the ball flight to them will be shorter.

When these two conditions are met - your opponent's compromised position and you getting a short ball - the green light is on and you should approach the net into the open court.

In most cases the opponent will return the ball cross court and you will be therefore approaching the net down the line which is ideal because you can cover the net better.

But even if they return the ball down the line and you have to approach cross court into the open court, you'll still end up in a much better position than your opponent and you'll win a high percentage of points at the net.

When To Approach The Net After The Serve

Now that you're aware of this 1-2 punch strategy you can already see how we can apply it when serving. 

You will use wide serves to pull your opponent out of the court and look for a short return.

If you see that you've pulled your opponent wide off the singles sideline, the first condition is met and in your mind's eye you can see the first green "checkmark".

If you then see that the return of the serve is short, the second green "checkmark" is lit and you have the full green light to approach the net into the open court.

You will again force your opponent to hit the attempted passing shot on the run which makes it very difficult for them to be accurate and increases the chances of you finishing the point at the net or them making an error.

The same of course applies to the deuce side where you will try to pull your opponent wide with a slice serve (for a right-hander) and then look for a short ball to attack into the open court.

If you do get a short ball, the second green light is on and if you approach into the open court you have 80% chance of winning the point at the net.

Summary

Having high success when approaching the net in tennis comes down to meeting two conditions:

• opponent initially crossing the singles sideline 
• receiving a short ball

If the above two conditions are met and you approach the net into the open court, you will have a very high success rate at the net because your opponent will be attempting to hit a passing shot while running and that makes their shots very inaccurate.

Your goal is then to try and create situations where you can pull your opponent out of the court either with a short cross court forehand or backhand or with a wide serve, and then look for the short ball to attack it.

If of course your opponent defends well and they play the ball deep, then you have stay in a neutral rally and wait for the next opportunity to approach the net.

A future post about approaching the net will cover more specifics regarding technique, target areas, and footwork, so stay tuned.