What is your strategy against GOOD Baseliners
When do you go down the line or Crosscourt? or come to net?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mark / The Mayor on -
Well, I'm a good baseliner, so I feel it out and try to find their weeker side, then go after that until they start to compensate which opens up the court then I go with sharp angles to the strong side. I'll write a little more later.
M
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Permalink Reply by Steve on -
I'm a baseliner myself, and always thoroughly loved playing other baseliners because it was the true test of one's game and ability..a slugfest if you will. Trying to feel out your opponent's weaknesses is always a must, exploiting whatever you can find - including thier will, stamina, and patience as well thier game or weaknesses in general.
Reading that Mark/Mr.Mayor will try to open up the court and use short angles is fantastic, and a favorite of mine as well. Thanks again to Andre. He really taught us alot by taking a little pace off the ball, using his topspin and going crosscourt over the center of the net where the net is lowest to implement that awesome short angle shot. Aim for the corner of the service box to where you would serve out wide or kick serve in the ad box. With this shot developed, you can either win points outright, or at least drag your opponent so far off court that you know to immediately close the net and put away the easy volley or overhead.
Here are few more tips to fight against tough baseliners:
- Try to keep your shots deep in thier court. Hit long if you must, but try not to hit a single ball that bounces before thier service line...unless it is that great short angle.
-Conversely, make your opponent pay for hitting you a short ball. Attack that short ball, approach and never be afraid to close the net. Too many good players work so hard on thier goundies, but can't finish off the pionts that thier powerful strokes set up.
-Take your opponent out of thier comfort zone - draw them into the net. Can they volley? Do they miss alot of approach shots?
-work to develop and AGRESSIVE slice - not a defensive one! Federer owns this shot, and it is very low, still deep in the court, and humming with underspin.
-Be patient with yourself - Momentum can shift on one point in a tennis match!
Best of Luck!
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Permalink Reply by Mark / The Mayor on
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Great points. I agree that patience is key with a groundstroker. Waiting for your opportunities and waiting for the court to open up. I played an OK baseliner yesterday (a bit of a pusher who never misses) and I had success with 2 patterns. (Hopefully I'll remember to visit this post next time I play him.) Both are based on moving him forward.
1. On any random ball of his, I'd hit it real short, pull him in and lob over his backhand side. Many times he'd try to retreat and I'd have him in akward positions.
2. On a short ball, I was missing my topspin approaches long, so I started chipping it short and coming in. He'd run forward to get it and pop it up. Once I figured out this, I'd be ready for an overhead and put it away.
I've lost to this guy many times in close, ugly matches, but yesterday I put him away 6-2,6-1. Woohoo!
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Permalink Reply by George Michael Provine (MIKEE) on -
Go crosscourt deep with pace and you will get crosscourt reply. Keep repeating this. When you get a SHORT crosscourt reply--hurry in and hit it down the line--and cover the net on same side as your down the liner--cover his/her attempt to pass you down the line or by lobbing you. If he/she is foolish enough to try a cross court pass--knife the angle volley to the open court. Mikee.
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Permalink Reply by Gary Sakuma on -
my conditioning sucks. i need quick points... or actually i need to get into shape...
George Michael Provine (MIKEE) said:Go crosscourt deep with pace and you will get crosscourt reply. Keep repeating this. When you get a SHORT crosscourt reply--hurry in and hit it down the line--and cover the net on same side as your down the liner--cover his/her attempt to pass you down the line or by lobbing you. If he/she is foolish enough to try a cross court pass--knife the angle volley to the open court. Mikee.
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Permalink Reply by Bob Lovinger on -
I try to keep the ball deep and in the corners and sprinkle in some drops shots and short balls until proves he can handle them.
I have found that many good baseliners are only comfortable when they can get planted and don't like to hit on the move. Also, many like to get into a rhythm so I will mix in the spins to break them of their timing.
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Permalink Reply by Gary Sakuma on
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that's so true. baseliners normally are horrible at the net
Bob Lovinger said:I try to keep the ball deep and in the corners and sprinkle in some drops shots and short balls until proves he can handle them.
I have found that many good baseliners are only comfortable when they can get planted and don't like to hit on the move. Also, many like to get into a rhythm so I will mix in the spins to break them of their timing.
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Permalink Reply by Gary Sakuma on
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what do you do if they're more consistent than you.
Martin Daugherty said:I only play doubles so when I'm at the net the feet are always moving to keep both the baseline safe and the "poach" alive.
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Permalink Reply by Kevin Kauffman on -
Strong baseliners are usually solid off of both ground stroke sides. Take at the highest level, Steffi Graf, people would say play her backhand, yet her slice was very consistent and she made fewer errors on the backhand than forehand.
So playing a good baseliner is tough.
I have found that hitting low and short and bringing the baseliner forward, to the net as the best strategy. This is tricky because if the ball isnt kept low but is short a good baseliner will come in and have an easy ball to attack.
Also mix up the tempo, do some high soft softs, and then low slices and some hard flat shots. Anything to mix up the tempo so that the baseliner doesnt get in a groove.
All these things have been said before by people but basics tend to work best.
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Permalink Reply by Kevin Kauffman on
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i was told once over 10years ago by an accomplished pro, rally cross court then when get the short ball approach up the line and follow the approach shot to the net and cover the pass up the line...
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Permalink Reply by Kevin Kauffman on
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Well consistency comes from learning proper stroke techniques. The most consistent pros like Evert and Borg had very consistent shots that didn't break down, so learning proper foundation of groundies is key.
Learn the correct foundation first!
Gary Sakuma said:what do you do if they're more consistent than you.
Martin Daugherty said:I only play doubles so when I'm at the net the feet are always moving to keep both the baseline safe and the "poach" alive.
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Permalink Reply by Kevin Kauffman on
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If a baseliner is more consistent than you from the baseline then get them out of their comfort zone.
So get them to the mid court or net part the tennis court.
If you can't beat them at the baseline then you need to get them off of the baseline or you need to get off of the baseline but playing all court or at the net.
Or even you bring them forward and come in yourself, anything to disrupt them from being in a groove on the baseline.
Kevin Kauffman said:Well consistency comes from learning proper stroke techniques. The most consistent pros like Evert and Borg had very consistent shots that didn't break down, so learning proper foundation of groundies is key.
Learn the correct foundation first!
Gary Sakuma said:what do you do if they're more consistent than you.
Martin Daugherty said:I only play doubles so when I'm at the net the feet are always moving to keep both the baseline safe and the "poach" alive.
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