Shires Tennis

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Michael D Shires

In the next few weeks we will have some big news, we will keep you updated!

New Tennis Tip:
How do you beat a "pusher"?
"How can I lose to this guy? He hasn't really got any shots!". That's what you're thinking, huh? Well, let's get one thing straight to start with - the patient baseliner definitely demands respect. But not too much respect! Avoid feeling that there's nothing you can do against this type of player.

Conversely, it's no use feeling superior because you hit the ball harder and take more chances. Don't sneer! He's beaten you, right? He plays within the rules and makes you dance to his tune and you can't handle it. Agreed? Good! Now we can move on and address the problem!

Many people prefer playing hard-hitters. After all, you can redirect their power without having to generate any of your own. When you come up against someone who does not hit with pace, uncharacteristic errors can result from loss of patience. You start hitting the ball harder and harder and closer to the lines than normal. Errors can also result from you taking it too easy. You don't need to rush to the ball and you get lackadaisical with your footwork.

So, those are the problems. What can we do about them?

You don't want to soften up your own shots so much that you end up trapped into playing your opponent's game. There are two things you need to focus on. One is controlling your impatience and the other is to work your feet.

Resolve to play your game and your style without over-hitting or becoming too aggressive. And then, work those feet! Avoid just waiting for the ball. You'll end up becoming uncoordinated and making faster swings to compensate for poor positioning.

Stay focused, work your feet and play your own game (but play it patiently!). And remember that his tactic is legitimate and often successful. But remember also that it's probably the only one he's got!

How can I break serve against a strong server?
Don't go for too much on the first-serve return. Your first objective should be to make your opponent play another shot. Shorten your backswing and direct the ball back along the line of the serve.

You've got to view your opponent's second serves as big opportunities. Consider going down the line. Consider generating more pace. Consider a chip-and-charge combination.

Being aggressive on the second serve return may make your opponent go for more pace or depth, risking more errors. It may also force your opponent to play safer with the first serve!

New Tennis Tip:
How do you wrong foot your opponent?
The idea is to make your opponent think you're going to hit the ball to a particular side of his court and then when he's moving there, you play it back to the side of the court he just left! The element of surprise is crucial, so don't overdo it!

Ironically, it's a move that's often more successful against fast players than slow ones. A fast-moving, fast-thinking player who is looking to anticipate your next shot is actually quite vulnerable to this tactic.

Against a slower player, it's usually better to hit into the open spaces.

New Tennis Tip:

How can I find a player's weaknesses quickly?
Weaknesses fall into three categories: technical, physical and mental. As the standard of tennis you play improves, you find that technical and physical weaknesses become gradually less significant than mental ones.

If you don't get a chance to watch a player before you play, it can sometimes take several games before you get a feel for what they do well and what they don't do well.

Mental weaknesses are not easy to identify early in a match, but take note of what your opponent does on the first few pressure points.

Technical and physical deficiencies can be exposed fairly early on, even during the knock-up. So use the knock-up to do a quick evaluation of your opponent's strengths and weaknesses. Vary the speed and spin of your shots slightly. Watch for reluctance to hit backhands. Does your opponent ask for a few overheads? If not, make a mental note to send up a lob as soon as the opportunity arises!

There are some deficiencies which you can expect (but be prepared to revise your expectations!). For example, players who use an extreme western forehand grip often have suspect forehand volleys. Similarly, players with two-handed backhands often struggle with their backhand volleys. Tall players often hate digging out low balls and fail to cope with balls directed straight at them.

Some players have shots which appear to be strengths because they hit them with considerable spin or power or both, but don't be deceived by appearances! The hardest shots in the world are a weakness if they don't land in the court!

If your opponent repeatedly hurts you with a shot or combination of shots, upset the repetition! If a particular shot of your own (or a combination of shots) gets results, do it again!

How can I dominate a groundstroke rally without making errors?
One of the biggest problems may be hitting too hard. Hitting hard means your shot cannot clear the net by much in order to stay in the court. Unless you harness the pace with a suitable amount of topspin, the risk factor is so great that you're going to make more errors than hit winners.

Rather than hit harder, try taking the ball earlier by playing inside the baseline whenever you can.

Making your opponents move and play shots off-balance is the objective and it's achieved by denying them time. The most effective way to deny your opponent time is to step inside the baseline and take the ball early.

You may find you need to reduce your backswing slightly to do this!