Build your Game
How to counter specialist styles
by David Sammel LTA Head Coach, Leeds National Academy.
One of the more intriguing aspects of tennis is the various games styles that are available to players. Even though tennis has become much more of an all-court game, all players still favour a particular style of play. No longer can a player rely purely on one style of play and be poor in other areas of the court, however the modern player will build a game style around their strengths. This means that every good competitor should be clear in their mind about their own game style and how their strengths will hurt their opponents. Equally, important players need to know how to counter the various styles of play they will compete against.
In this article I have outlined the basic game styles available
and share some ideas on how to counteract the different styles of
play. Remember that each player is unique and within these different
game styles there will be specific strengths or weaknesses you can
only identify once you have played against or watched a player carefully.
The serve and volleyer The serve and volleyer expects many free points and wants the opponent to get a complex about their return of serve. He thinks if he can put away some good returns and passing shots early in the match, the opponent will panic and start to try for better and better returns and passes. When a serve and volleyer serves well, it is easy to feel that they are unbreakable. |
How to counter
· Try to make as many returns off the first serve as you
can, even if it gives him an easy volley. Giving the serve-volleyer
a high volume of balls to put away pays off later in the match,
when the pressure is high.
· Attack the second serve, not specifically with pace, but
by moving up the court to get the ball back faster and rushing the
volleyer. It is then very important to make him volley for a second
time or hit an overhead. Do not go for rash passes off good volleys
– make him play. Again, the pay-off comes later in the match!
· Be patient. Do not panic but sit and wait for the loss
of focus – the game that has a double fault, the missed volley
or many service faults. It often happens after one or two great
service games.
· Try to hit as many returns to the feet as possible, not
neglecting the return down the middle.
The Good Returner This player makes a high volume of returns and hits the ball
well in front, rushing the server. He wants to create the
following feelings: |
How to counter
· Serve into the body more. It is harder
to step into the ball when it is coming at you. Do not look for
the easy point, expect a return. Do not rush the first shot or volley
– make him play his second shot of the rally. They rely on
quick points. This player is a tough customer, so he does not panic
unless you show that you are prepared to make him play longer points.
Run hard and work hard to give him a high volume of second shots.
· Keep your 1st serve percentage high by mixing in a lot
of ¾ speed serves into your repertoire. Also use a mixture
of spins to prevent the class returner from settling into a routine
knowing what to expect.
· Try to mess up his range by mixing up the serve and volley
game. In other words, sometimes wait for the return, then go in
and take a few chances hitting a few bigger second serves.
· Prevent giving him easy games on his own service. This
allows him to concentrate exclusively on his strong point –
breaking you with good returns.
The clay-court Specialist This player will wear you down until you lose reason and
patience and start slashing at balls looking for a quick winner,
or attacking the net without rushing and unbalancing him first. |
How to counter
If you are not a similar player you know you have to attack
well – therefore most important is your frame of mind. Accept
that:
· You will be passed.
· You will watch some top-spin lobs land behind you.
· It may take you a while to break him down.
· You need to look forward to the moment when he actually
becomes erratic and gives you a few freebies.
Method of attack
· Your own serve is your biggest weapon
in this fight – use it well to keep them off balance. Approximately
60% three-quarter pace first serves, concentrating on placement
(including to the body) so that your first-serve percentage remains
high. 40% hard serves so he can never settle down to one pace and
you can get a few free points.
· Serve and volley some of the time especially at 30-40,
40-30 and advantage points
· The two big shots in your attack arsenal after the serve
are the second shot off the return and the return of serve. If the
second shot is a volley, volley behind the player a lot and cut
off volleys short (not drop volleys but turning away volleys, cross
court).
· When the second shot is off a shorter return you must attack
the ball to take command of the point and create chances for the
'cut in'.
· When you attack the net, do not forget one of the most
neglected approach shots: deep down the middle to jam them up and
take away a clay-courter’s lifeblood – passes made on
the run creating angles. Play the down-the-middle shot to force
him to hit a backhand, e.g. if he regularly runs round the backhand
(to hit inside-out forehands) then your 'down the middle shot' might
actually be further over to his backhand side.
Return of serve
· Make a high volume of returns off first serves using height.
Do not be too proud to stand well back to achieve this. As you get
used to his serve, you can step up into the court to rush him more.
· Returning second serve – step up into the court,
hit it early and attack it to rush him and take control of the point.
(Remember hitting a ball early and attacking it does not mean rushing
or hitting hard only.) If you see the opponent is in trouble, cut
in and volley and sometimes approach directly after the return.
Warning - Just because you hit a good second shot or return does
not mean that you keep control of the point. Often the opponent
will counter with good length and spin. In this case, settle down
and play the point looking for an opportunity to attack. Do not
press to take control – play for it.
Passing the net rusher with wrong-foot passing shots forces the
player to make tougher volleys
The Net Rusher A net rusher wants to rush until you panic. The player often approaches the net on a 'bluff' and relies on the pressure of you having to pass him so often that it wears you down.
|
· Make the opponents play a high volume
of volleys and overheads.
· Take any chance you get to go in. Rarely do 'chip and charge
merchants' hit good passing shots themselves.
The Big Hitter This player tries to blast you off the court and overpowers
you. He will usually start well and is a good front runner.
Awesome when playing well. |
How to counter
· Hustle and use height. It is imperative
that this player is made to hit 3 or 4 big shots to win the point
as often as possible.
· Swing early and meet his big shots in front so you can
use his pace against him. Also if you can get to the net at times,
then forcing him to hit passing shots and to force the pace may
cause him to overhit and lose control. Your state of mind needs
to prepare you to ignore his great shots, work hard and not be intimidated;
be convinced he will run out of big shots if he has to hit enough
of them. Once he begins to miss and hesitate you are in control.
The Deceptive Player
|
How to counter
· Apart from possibly the serve, they
have few gears to step up the pace.
· Their game is based on timing, with fewer margins for error
when they move the ball to create angles. They are prone to making
mistakes in batches.
· Play back to the opponent, e.g. if he hits a cross-court
angle, hit the ball back cross court in order to reduce the angles,
unless you feel confident of hitting a winning shot down the line.
· Get under the ball well to keep a good length because then
it is harder for them to move the ball around. It also leads to
important approach opportunities. Be low, alert and agile at the
net because if you start to read the passes from this player, he
is dead because he cannot beat you with pace. Stay low, to give
them a problem – the heavy ball!
· Your state of mind. Do not be concerned if you feel disjointed
or unbalanced by this player at times – you cannot avoid it.
He will cut you up with little cuts and you need to thrust a sword
through him before you bleed to death. Get him to feel over-powered
by hitting big shots, volleys, serves and overheads when you get
a chance. Don’t get cute and try to outmanoeuvre him when
you can kill the ball.
· If you play the same way as this player – play the
percentages more.
Within the above styles of player, you may also need to take into
account the following characteristics:
The Sneak-in Specialist
Don’t watch for him coming in. Watch the ball and realize
that when in trouble sometimes go for the big shot, and off the
backhand slice, go down the line because this is the most difficult
place from which to hit an effective volley.
The all-rounder
Play your game and wait because even these solid players make mistakes.
You must take some chances to unbalance them.
Very tall players and very quick players
Hit directly at tall players when they are at the net. The lob is
not wasted because if they hang back sometimes it is easier to get
the ball at their feet.
Very quick players recover quickly and can
reach shots that are played away from them relatively easily. Therefore,
a good tactic is often to place the ball behind them in the spot
they have just come from, thus wrong-footing the player.
by David Sammel
 |
David
is the Head Coach at the LTA Academy in Leeds, northern England.
He presides over some of the best upcoming young British tennis
talent. A former ATP player, world ranked in singles and doubles,
David has coached a variety of name tennis players and took
several British stars to career-high rankings plus Davis Cup
selection. Visit David Sammel's web site, tennis4everyone,
which offers a goldmine of coaching tips and analysis, interviews,
emerging talents, tour diaries, coaching products and discounted
promotions. |
