How to play against… · 3 min read
Against the big hitter
They hit hard and push you back. Neutralize with depth, height and the middle; let them take the risk.
The plan
- Deep to the middle: you take away angles and force them to generate from a neutral position.
- Vary heights and spins: big hitters love steady pace at hip height. Low slices and high balls to the backhand take them out of their zone.
- Defend with margin: high over the net, deep. Your goal is one more ball, not to outhit them.
- First serve in: if they see lots of seconds, they’ll punish you with the return.
- Patience on the scoreboard: big hitters have streaks of errors. Being there when they come is part of the plan.
To review after the match
In the app, when you mark that your opponent was “Baseline hitter”, we ask whether you tried:
- I played deep to the middle to take away angles
- I varied heights and spins (slice, high balls)
- I defended with margin and waited for their error
To practice on court
Deep defense
Your partner attacks; you can only return beyond the service line.
Goal: Neutralizing under pressure.
Change of spin
Rally where every third shot must be a low slice.
Goal: Breaking the rhythm.
Fitness that helps
- Lateral lungeWide step to the side bending one leg and keeping the other straight.
- Skater jumpsLateral jump from one leg to the other, braking and stabilizing each landing.
- Crossover step and recoveryFrom a split-step: pivot, crossover start step and back to center with side steps.