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Tip of the Week: Coping With Deep, Heavy Pushes |
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Written by Larry Hodges
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Monday, 10 March 2008 |
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 Coping With Deep, Heavy Pushes
By Carl Danner
While a deep push is generally a weak shot in today's high-level game, some opponents will load up a deep push with heavy underspin. If you don't (or can't) attack this ball, chances are you will also push it back deep to where your opponent is waiting to attack. Here are three options for dealing with this sequence without giving up a deep push return to be attacked.
First, try a roll or lift shot where you angle your racket open to offset the underspin, and just lift the ball deep and low to your opponent's backhand or middle. The result will be a dead ball that's not so easy to loop. Second, try a short, underspin return by bending your knees as you scoop the ball up and softly forward. Contact this shot after the ball starts to come down from the peak of the bounce. (Both of these two options are touch shots that greatly benefit from practice.) Finally, and best, move your feet quickly to get in position to execute a forehand loop using a severe upward stroke, and using your legs for lift. Such a loop will be spinny even if soft and high, will likely give your opponent fits, and is the best way to break up this troublesome pattern. |
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