Real Tennis Players - Like You! - Asking For, and Offering, Advice on the Sport They Love
Player to Player is USTA.com’s regular feature in which everyday tennis players are given a forum to ask advice on the sport they love – and their fellow players will dish out advice. We’ll post a number of the best responses we receive to our question of the week. PLAYER TO PLAYER DOESN'T WORK WITHOUT YOUR QUESTIONS, so please send any queries you’d like answered, or responses to other players' questions, to Player@USTA.com.
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SEND YOUR TIPS TODAY This week's question from John: |
"Left-handed players seem to be the most difficult to play against. The spin on their serves seems to cause returns to go in every direction, except the direction you want. I have tried to let it bounce and hit it late and early – it's no help. Even the strategy to play against them is much different. I tried to play as though I was playing someone with a fantastic backhand – no help. I have the shots, but lefties are a strange sort. Any suggestions?" |
| Please share your thoughts with John by e-mailing Player@USTA.com and include your name and hometown. Got a question of your own? Send that along, too! |
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READ OTHER PLAYERS' ADVICE
Last week’s question from BJA:
(Please note: There's no need to send additional responses to this question)
"What is the best way to defend a lob? I play on a women's doubles USTA Leagues team."
PLAYER RESPONSES:
From Leo J., Lancaster, CA:
The overhead smash is the best tactic against the lob. Most club players don't hit overheads very well. Working on this shot, if it is one of your weaknesses, will help.
From Kenny S., Highland Park, IL:
If you’re at the net, hit an overhead. Make sure you point at the ball, and hit it clean. If you’re in the back court, maybe take it out of the air, but this is a real hard shot. You can take it as the ball is on the rise or wait and hit the lob as it comes down.
Sometimes a lob is just a shot to throw off the other player's timing, which works well, so be patient and wait for your kill shot or them to make a mistake. I also like to hit a lob with so much spin on it that it jumps up so high and deep that the other players can't return it or, when they are at the net, a deep topspin lob over their heads that is too hard to reach or return.
Good luck.
From Eric R., Santa Rosa, CA:
Your question implies that you do not like playing against a team that lobs well. Join the club.
Hitting fast-paced rallies is inherently more satisfying than "a moonball rally." To keep a team from lobbing you and winning by doing so, you must have a good overhead smash.
Your response to that obvious answer may be, "Duuuhhh." Nevertheless, it is still very true that most club players hit only a couple of smashes before they start play. That is way too little practice for a VIP shot in doubles.
You also need to change a losing strategy during match play. If Team A is lobbing a ton and winning, then you must "bait and switch." Have your best smasher play the ad court, and call off the weaker partner (on lobs that are short enough and high enough to switch positions).
Team B also could show a normal net stance but then back pedal early to get in better position for Team A’s moonballs.
In deuce court, an Australian formation for Team B, when you are serving, can often psychologically confuse Team A and allow you more time to run around high backhand lobs and hit more put-aways when Team A is targeting that corner on their lobs.
Above all, do not let your smash become the Rodney Dangerfield of your game because "it gets no respect."
That change will take hours of practice. Invest the time, and it will pay smashing dividends.
From Dave S., St. George, UT:
Many women react to a lob by looking at it and evaluating the degree of difficulty of such a lob and then deciding or electing to go after it. This is too late for many overheads.
The best players "challenge" every lob as one they can get. A good doubles partner will cover the lob until they see that their partner can indeed hit the overhead. Thus, if you challenge it and it ends up being too good of a lob, you can pull off the shot and say "yours" to your partner, who should be halfway covering it, anyway.
If you wait to evaluate the lob, you will end up passing on too many lobs that are within reach if you immediately go for it.
From Tess P., Pasadena, CA:
The best way to defend against a lob is to take the ball on the rise. I find that, this way, the height of the bounce doesn't intrude on my choice of returns on the lob. Also, it seems to take my opponents off-guard, as they seem to be anticipating more time to plan their next shot.
If you're not used to taking the ball on the rise, I would suggest getting a topspin grip ready to return the lob with a lob. Probably the worst thing to do is to let it psyche you out. That seems to be a primary objective of lobs in the beginner to intermediate game, as most players at this level are not accustomed to having so much time to think about their next shot.
Also, when you're returning a lob, remember that hitting a shot along a diagonal is probably wise, as this gives you a greater margin for error. And finally, most players are weaker on their backhand than forehand and find it difficult to adjust to a higher bounce (even the great Fed finds this difficult!), so lobbing to the backhand side is suggested.
From Coach Poppie, Palm Bay, FL:
"What is the best way to defend a lob?” This is tennis – every ball, every point is loaded with variables. The best way to defend a lob in doubles is anticipation coupled with court position. It’s what you are doing before, during and after your opponent contacts the ball.
The partner of net player being lobbed protects the open court. That means baseline to service, sideline to sideline, open service area to baseline.
Every time the hitter takes her racquet back, split (stop running) and spring after the contact so you can adjust your position to cover the lob (or any shot), then move in behind the ball. Repeat, as necessary.
That is after you or your partner returns the ball. Both of you must adjust your position and follow the ball, split as the hitter takes her racquet back and spring into action when the ball is hit. All eyes, except the hitter’s partner, should be on the hitter. After all, the opponent’s non-hitter is out of the play until you return the ball.
So, BJA, if you are at the baseline, returning cross court, you are moving in behind the ball and you are in the middle of “DEAD MAN’S LAND,” you get lobbed. If you split and spring at the right time, you should have plenty of time to cover the lob.
On the other hand, had the ball been returned cross-court, you still have time to get out of “DEAD MAN’S LAND,” since you are moving during the flight of the ball. COOL!
Bottom Line:
- Move during the flight of the ball.
- Split every time the hitter takes her racquet back.
- Spring into action to adjust your position.
- Repeat, as necessary.
Reference based on Pete Collin’s “Successful Doubles.” Check it out.
From B., Morrisville, VT:
It depends when they are lobbing you. If it is off the return of serve, then the net player stays in her normal position until her partner’s serve hits, then move back towards the baseline to take the lob. After that, stay back two to three steps, and step to the middle to eliminate the area that they can hit the lob into. If you move straight back and your partner is serving and volleying, then you leave the middle open.
During the playing of the point, the player on the opposite side of where the ball was hit stays just behind the service line, and the player who is where the ball was hit (or ball side) stays up inside the box. If the ball changes sides, then the players switch sides.
If all else fails, play two players back, and look for the short ball.
From Montserrat N.:
I have played doubles at college and international competition. The best strategy that worked for us was not to stay too close to the net, just to let the other player know that we were ready for their lobs. After a couple smash winners, they will stop trying.
I hope this helps.
From Les W., Sacramento, CA:
1) While practicing, regularly work on your overhead shot. It should be your hardest hit stroke. After all, it is like a serve that you get to hit from inside the baseline.
2) Develop your footwork so you can cover lobs (except for perfect ones that land on the baseline) from your net position -- not too close to the net, especially if your ability to move is not quick enough.
3) During competition, enjoy smashing those lobs for winners!
4) If your overhead smash is not possible, circle behind the bouncing lob (with the ball to your forehand) and return it with a high, deep lob, maybe using the extra time to advance to the net. If possible, hit your lob(s) toward your opponent's backhand side.
From Adrienne K., Tucson, AZ:
My partner and I defend lobs by hitting returns short, causing the receiver to pop up the ball on the run.
*Please note that any advice given out in this forum should in no way be confused with actual medical advice. Before starting any new exercise regimen or altering your existing one, we strongly urge you to consult with your regular physician.
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