Have you become a more aggressive player than you were a year
ago? If the answer is yes, then I assume that you are finding
ways to attack and get to the net more than you used to.
There are many advantages to being at the net but are you
taking advantage of them? Your goal in getting to the net is
to put pressure on your opponent and force an error or to put
the ball away quickly. Keep in mind I said quickly! While
getting to the net can be a very offensive move, you don't
want to get to the net to continue to hit volleys and get the
ball in play. It is time to win the point when you are at the
net!
Now, of course, I'm not saying to go for the winner on the first
shot. However, I am saying that your game plan once at the net
is to find the shots you can put away as soon as possible. If
you don't put the ball away, you are opening yourself up to be
passed or for your opponent to go over your head with a lob.
Many times when beginning or intermediate players work their
way to the net, they are satisfied that they are there and feel
their plan is complete. However, just getting to the net is
only half the battle. You might actually find that although
you are becoming more aggressive and getting to the net faster,
you are losing more points. This could come from the fact that
you are hitting weak approach shots, weak first volleys, or you
are rushing to the net on shots that you can't hit with depth,
control, and pace. If you remember my article "The Shot Before
the Shot," you'll note how important each shot leads to the
next. To become a good net player you have to set yourself up
for easy volleys and overheads.
To become a more aggressive player you will need to set
yourself up AND put those balls away. One of the main things
I see in my lessons is a player that hits the good approach or
first volleys and then gives the ball right back to the
opponent for a passing shot or lob. Work on the one-two
punch, the set up and put away. Prepare early for overheads
and have good balance for volleys and you'll find yourself
having more opportunities to put the ball away. In fact, I
would have to say that overheads are one of the shots that
beginning and intermediate players struggle with in their
game. So what good is it going to do this sort of player to
get to the net? They work hard, come in aggressively, and
then dump the overhead! Work on finishing off your points by
getting set up early and using angles. The more confident
you get, the easier these shots will become in match play.
Learn when its time to go for the winner and when it is time
to play it safe. Being able to make these adjustments from
offensive to defensive shots will really improve your game.
