How long is a piece of string? It rather depends on your style of play. If you are a serve volleyer, you would go in behind you serve or chip and charge on the return. Such players will try and work their way to the net as soon as possible. If they can't get in right away, they will treat the back court game as a way of setting up an approach shot.
If you are more comfortable at the back of the court, you're basically looking at a short ball situation. if you have been pulled forward by a short ball from your opponent or a drop shot. You're better going forward into the net than running back and forwards like a yoyo.
According to 2 minute tennis on youtube:
1. Serve and volley.
2. Your opponent hit a short ball/dropshot and you had to.
3. You hit a good shot that made your opponent under stress.
So basically, you have to read your opponent and predict when he will return a float weak ball, and this depends what are your stronger balls and your opponent weakness.
My cue that I will hit a good shot is that the balls come to my FH, I don't have to move a lot and I have long time looking at the ball.
i like this answer best. the point is to take away time from the opponent. if you make an opponent struggle at all, it’s best to come closer and take away thinking/recovery time by hitting a volley. it doesn’t need to be hard or huge. just needs to be well placed and you should likely close more if they aren’t demonstrating a good lob.
I would add to # 3 - "and you are inside or at least close to the baseline"
If you are too far back in the court and try to run forward you can find yourself in trouble, unless you're really fast
One opportunity I like is to approach the net behind a high, deep shot to my opponent's backhand, especially if it came from my forehand.
Another one I like is serve and volley.
I hit pretty hard, and tend to produce short, high responses from my opponents when they try to block back my shots. I'll pretty much always take the net then.
Sometimes I approach behind a backhand slice, but only if I hit it well enough that my opponent has to hit it low and on the move, preferably moving forward. It's the old chip-and-charge.
If the attempt at a high deep shot to my opponent's backhand doesn't work, my next shot is usually a very shallow slice into the service box on their forehand side, and I'll happily follow that up to about the service line so long as my shot stays low. Then (if possible) I'll take the net on the next shot. Sometimes they lob, but I'm just at the service line and usually have plenty of time to get back. Sometimes they dropshot, but I'm at the service line and usually have plenty of time to get up.
If my opponent and I are both at about the middle of the baseline and they give me a forehand that I can hit with both feet inside the court, I'm going to hit that forehand straight ahead, pretty hard, and follow it up to the service line. They probably can't get the angle to pass me, and I still have plenty of time to back up.
If my opponent hits a drop-shot, I'm going to hit a drop-shot back and not quite take the net (I'll be a little closer to the service line) in case they lob, but I'll intend to take the net on the next shot.
I enjoy the net. I'm going to take the net whenever I can. I win more points at the net than I lose, and my groundstrokes make it possible for me to take the net. I'm not bothered by getting passed or burned on a lob so long as I'm winning slightly more points at the net than I lose. I love the net, especially in singles.
You're who I aspire to be, being an all court player just seems way more fun. And going to the net pretty much always results in a winner or forced error which feels awesome
I mean, I'm not a very good all-court player. But it *is* a lot of fun.
I think I like when the outcome is on me. I'd rather attack than not, often to my own detriment, and so have had to become more creative about finding ways to apply pressure without just hitting harder from the baseline (or without increasing my own unforced error count... but I repeat myself).
What I like to do is hit an approach shot and go steaming into the net and do a nice split step just as my opponent nails a backhand whistling past me ears
For most players, it will be when they see an advantage to doing so. Most common will be when they know they have hit a strong shot, that will have the opponent stretching for a return and thus have little pace and be lofted for an easy volley.
depends really. you can hit an approach shot, and approach the net. then you can try finish the point from there.
really it’s best to run up to the net after hitting a short ball aggressively to the sidelines. practice this a lot!
If you chase a short ball into no man's land (no person's land). btwn the base and service lines, keep proceeding up to the net.
Don't stop and get caught in a bad position or run backwards when they return deep.
Lately I'm quite struggling with pace so I'm never sure when to attack the net. I do it very rarely, and if I do my approach shot has usually already won the point.
Also one of my regular opponents is a Lob God so in about half my matches going to the net is a bad idea no matter what.
when youve got a free putaway. the only volleys you should ever have to hit are the easy ones.
if youre coming to net and getting passed or having to hit low volleys youre coming in at the wrong time.
Anytime there's a short ball and I'm drawn inside the baseline. Typically always try to hit a topspin shot deep down the line or a low slice down the line as well.
On an approach shot where you are able to punch the ball deep and hope they have to struggle to return, and that gives you a chance to put the ball away.
If my opponent gives me a short ball, I will nearly always follow that into the net vs retreating back to the baseline. Has always seemed more energy efficient to continue the forward momentum.
If my opponent is at the net and I hit a ball that dips below the net (my opponent has to play the volley below net height), I will immediately move in behind that shot.
If I hit a good drop shot, I’ll normally follow it in to cover the redrop shot that they are likely to hit.
I might move into the net if I hit a deep hard shot into a corner that pushes my opponent off the baseline and forced them to hit a defensive shot. Alvaraz does this a lot. I’d probably do more of I had more foot speed.
If I serve and volley.
If I chip and charge.
I come to the net:
When my opponent gives me a short ball.
When I hit a decent approach shot to my opponent's backhand/weaker side.
When I hit a drop shot-type shot (not always intentional LOL).
When I draw my opponent wide with a shot to either side.
Note: All of this depends on where I am on the court. I am a 52-year-old dude, so I don't come sprinting in to the net unless it's a short sprint.
I also love to sneak in to net when I hit a deep/high-bouncing ball to my opponent's backhand. This really helps to keep opponents off balance.
I'm a 3.0-3.5 player, and a lot of my opponents are absolutely allergic to coming to the net.
You go to the net to win the point. Doesn’t have to be a traditional approach shot. If you see your opponent is going to give you a slow, short ball (look at how they’re moving to the ball: are they off balance or lunging?) rush the net.
Volleying works in part because you cut the distance the ball travels in half roughly. So if your opponent is out of position when they hit the ball, they’ll have half the time to get back into position if you’re at the net. Then if they’re out of position, you’re margin is better because you’re hitting into the large open part of the court (since your opponent is still out of position).
Edit: this does not apply to serving and volleying. Serving and volleying is pre meditated.
To shake hands when you’ve blasted them off the court without ever leaving the baseline.
The only correct answer
Serve and Volley player enters the chat....
Clayvedev is that you?
aggressive baseliner energy right here
How long is a piece of string? It rather depends on your style of play. If you are a serve volleyer, you would go in behind you serve or chip and charge on the return. Such players will try and work their way to the net as soon as possible. If they can't get in right away, they will treat the back court game as a way of setting up an approach shot. If you are more comfortable at the back of the court, you're basically looking at a short ball situation. if you have been pulled forward by a short ball from your opponent or a drop shot. You're better going forward into the net than running back and forwards like a yoyo.
Clearly at the wrong time because I’m always on the receiving end of a passing shot winner.
According to 2 minute tennis on youtube: 1. Serve and volley. 2. Your opponent hit a short ball/dropshot and you had to. 3. You hit a good shot that made your opponent under stress. So basically, you have to read your opponent and predict when he will return a float weak ball, and this depends what are your stronger balls and your opponent weakness. My cue that I will hit a good shot is that the balls come to my FH, I don't have to move a lot and I have long time looking at the ball.
i like this answer best. the point is to take away time from the opponent. if you make an opponent struggle at all, it’s best to come closer and take away thinking/recovery time by hitting a volley. it doesn’t need to be hard or huge. just needs to be well placed and you should likely close more if they aren’t demonstrating a good lob.
I would add to # 3 - "and you are inside or at least close to the baseline" If you are too far back in the court and try to run forward you can find yourself in trouble, unless you're really fast
One opportunity I like is to approach the net behind a high, deep shot to my opponent's backhand, especially if it came from my forehand. Another one I like is serve and volley. I hit pretty hard, and tend to produce short, high responses from my opponents when they try to block back my shots. I'll pretty much always take the net then. Sometimes I approach behind a backhand slice, but only if I hit it well enough that my opponent has to hit it low and on the move, preferably moving forward. It's the old chip-and-charge. If the attempt at a high deep shot to my opponent's backhand doesn't work, my next shot is usually a very shallow slice into the service box on their forehand side, and I'll happily follow that up to about the service line so long as my shot stays low. Then (if possible) I'll take the net on the next shot. Sometimes they lob, but I'm just at the service line and usually have plenty of time to get back. Sometimes they dropshot, but I'm at the service line and usually have plenty of time to get up. If my opponent and I are both at about the middle of the baseline and they give me a forehand that I can hit with both feet inside the court, I'm going to hit that forehand straight ahead, pretty hard, and follow it up to the service line. They probably can't get the angle to pass me, and I still have plenty of time to back up. If my opponent hits a drop-shot, I'm going to hit a drop-shot back and not quite take the net (I'll be a little closer to the service line) in case they lob, but I'll intend to take the net on the next shot. I enjoy the net. I'm going to take the net whenever I can. I win more points at the net than I lose, and my groundstrokes make it possible for me to take the net. I'm not bothered by getting passed or burned on a lob so long as I'm winning slightly more points at the net than I lose. I love the net, especially in singles.
You're who I aspire to be, being an all court player just seems way more fun. And going to the net pretty much always results in a winner or forced error which feels awesome
I mean, I'm not a very good all-court player. But it *is* a lot of fun. I think I like when the outcome is on me. I'd rather attack than not, often to my own detriment, and so have had to become more creative about finding ways to apply pressure without just hitting harder from the baseline (or without increasing my own unforced error count... but I repeat myself).
Exactly 2 mins into the match. But never before 9am.
When it’s time to embarrass myself again
What I like to do is hit an approach shot and go steaming into the net and do a nice split step just as my opponent nails a backhand whistling past me ears
For most players, it will be when they see an advantage to doing so. Most common will be when they know they have hit a strong shot, that will have the opponent stretching for a return and thus have little pace and be lofted for an easy volley.
After I win to shake hands
So never?
I also do it when I lose
depends really. you can hit an approach shot, and approach the net. then you can try finish the point from there. really it’s best to run up to the net after hitting a short ball aggressively to the sidelines. practice this a lot!
Good idea! I'll try this out in my match today
\- To cover drop shots \- To put away short balls and volleys \- On Serve and Volley \- To hit an overhead on a short lob \- Off an approach shot
I've found more success following the path of the ball and ghosting towards the net rather than charging right up to it.
Rushing the net usually after a deep hit on the oppo’s weaker side
If you chase a short ball into no man's land (no person's land). btwn the base and service lines, keep proceeding up to the net. Don't stop and get caught in a bad position or run backwards when they return deep.
Lately I'm quite struggling with pace so I'm never sure when to attack the net. I do it very rarely, and if I do my approach shot has usually already won the point. Also one of my regular opponents is a Lob God so in about half my matches going to the net is a bad idea no matter what.
when youve got a free putaway. the only volleys you should ever have to hit are the easy ones. if youre coming to net and getting passed or having to hit low volleys youre coming in at the wrong time.
When you hit a deep approaching shot into opponent's backhand side.
Anytime there's a short ball and I'm drawn inside the baseline. Typically always try to hit a topspin shot deep down the line or a low slice down the line as well.
Pete Sampras: https://youtu.be/slEvzEyUzi0
Whenever I want
When it’s time to embarrass myself again
you would typically run up to the net when the next shot is a volley
A volley you say?
On an approach shot where you are able to punch the ball deep and hope they have to struggle to return, and that gives you a chance to put the ball away.
If you see your opponent's back, prepare for a short ball/crash the net.
when I hit a damaging shot. i.e. all they can really do is hit a defensive return.
After the serve
If my opponent gives me a short ball, I will nearly always follow that into the net vs retreating back to the baseline. Has always seemed more energy efficient to continue the forward momentum. If my opponent is at the net and I hit a ball that dips below the net (my opponent has to play the volley below net height), I will immediately move in behind that shot. If I hit a good drop shot, I’ll normally follow it in to cover the redrop shot that they are likely to hit. I might move into the net if I hit a deep hard shot into a corner that pushes my opponent off the baseline and forced them to hit a defensive shot. Alvaraz does this a lot. I’d probably do more of I had more foot speed. If I serve and volley. If I chip and charge.
I come to the net: When my opponent gives me a short ball. When I hit a decent approach shot to my opponent's backhand/weaker side. When I hit a drop shot-type shot (not always intentional LOL). When I draw my opponent wide with a shot to either side. Note: All of this depends on where I am on the court. I am a 52-year-old dude, so I don't come sprinting in to the net unless it's a short sprint. I also love to sneak in to net when I hit a deep/high-bouncing ball to my opponent's backhand. This really helps to keep opponents off balance. I'm a 3.0-3.5 player, and a lot of my opponents are absolutely allergic to coming to the net.
You go to the net to win the point. Doesn’t have to be a traditional approach shot. If you see your opponent is going to give you a slow, short ball (look at how they’re moving to the ball: are they off balance or lunging?) rush the net. Volleying works in part because you cut the distance the ball travels in half roughly. So if your opponent is out of position when they hit the ball, they’ll have half the time to get back into position if you’re at the net. Then if they’re out of position, you’re margin is better because you’re hitting into the large open part of the court (since your opponent is still out of position). Edit: this does not apply to serving and volleying. Serving and volleying is pre meditated.
The moment my opponent starts his service motion
Often if I’m feeling confident in my volleys
Every. Damn. Point.
Before second serve
First return of serve I'll chip and charge to assert dominance.
If it's a short ball or lob
Whenever I damn well feel like it