You are playing a point. You are on the baseline and your opponent is moving in toward the net after making a very aggressive approach shot. What should you do?
- #1 If you can hit topspin, try to hit a defensive dipping topspin shot that makes your opponent hit up on the ball.
- #2 If you are better at hitting underspin, slice the ball low and soft also underneath your opponent.
After successfully hitting one of these 2 shots, you will be in a better position to hit a more aggressive passing shot (including a lob). Your challenge in both scenarios is to keep the ball low, putting pressure on your opponent to hit up on the ball and allowing time to get an easier ball to win the point with.
A typical response to an aggressively hit approach shot is to hit an "all or nothing" passing shot. Although they are fun to make, they are very low percentage. Usually you are thinking passing either left or right past your opponent. You should be thinking make them hit up. Another rut players get into is always lobbing when your opponent hits an aggressive approach shot. Soon, your opponents will catch on and be waiting at mid-court to intercept your lob. Don't panic when your opponent attacks the approach shot and moves in. Remember, the key is to make them hit "up" on the ball not "down" on the ball.
