What is an approach shot in tennis? it is a shot you make, usually, on your forehand side and while the ball is in mid court.
Playing the tennis approach shot is usually done in the middle of the court when the ball is rather short and you will have ample time to make it to the net to complete the point with a volley if need be.
Setting up a tennis approach shot is simple but it requires a steady forehand down the line to the weaker backhand side of your opponent. You may or may not need to follow up with a volley following a weak return. Your forehand could already be a winner in itself.
There is more than one way to approach the net with an approach shot. If you are in the forehand side, you could either play a forehand cross-court or down the line. Which should you choose? Hitting the ball cross-court and then approaching the net may sound easier as you hit the ball over the lower part of the net i.e. the middle portion. Furthermore, the distance across the court is longer and would be safer with a higher percentage of the ball going in. However, approaching the net with a cross court shot is not technically correct as it leaves you vulnerable to passing shots from your opponent as you wont be able to cover the whole court well. Therefore, it is tactically more correct to approach the net with a down the line shot. Thereafter, one needs to only take a few steps to reach the net and cover either the cross-court or down the line passing shot from the opponent.
Approaching the net with a strong down the line shot requires accuracy and power. One has to be aware that you will be hitting the ball over the higher part of the net. The reward of a good approach shot is critical. You may not even need to volley any return shots from the opponent if the approach shot is very good and penetrating.
Once one approaches the net, the objective is to volley or smash the weak return away. Having a good split step is critical in ensuring you are ready for the volley. It could either be a forehand or backhand volley. It could also be an overhead smash. The split step ensures you are ready to pounce on to the ball.
Executing a volley would require you to approach the net with a split step and then pushing forward with a punch or block. It is important to master the technique of a volley as well.
I hope this article will provide some guidance for all would-be tennis players! If you find this article useful and would really wish to learn tennis, please visit us below for our private and group lessons.
Happy Learning & Playing!
Playing the tennis approach shot is usually done in the middle of the court when the ball is rather short and you will have ample time to make it to the net to complete the point with a volley if need be.
Setting up a tennis approach shot is simple but it requires a steady forehand down the line to the weaker backhand side of your opponent. You may or may not need to follow up with a volley following a weak return. Your forehand could already be a winner in itself.
There is more than one way to approach the net with an approach shot. If you are in the forehand side, you could either play a forehand cross-court or down the line. Which should you choose? Hitting the ball cross-court and then approaching the net may sound easier as you hit the ball over the lower part of the net i.e. the middle portion. Furthermore, the distance across the court is longer and would be safer with a higher percentage of the ball going in. However, approaching the net with a cross court shot is not technically correct as it leaves you vulnerable to passing shots from your opponent as you wont be able to cover the whole court well. Therefore, it is tactically more correct to approach the net with a down the line shot. Thereafter, one needs to only take a few steps to reach the net and cover either the cross-court or down the line passing shot from the opponent.
Approaching the net with a strong down the line shot requires accuracy and power. One has to be aware that you will be hitting the ball over the higher part of the net. The reward of a good approach shot is critical. You may not even need to volley any return shots from the opponent if the approach shot is very good and penetrating.
Once one approaches the net, the objective is to volley or smash the weak return away. Having a good split step is critical in ensuring you are ready for the volley. It could either be a forehand or backhand volley. It could also be an overhead smash. The split step ensures you are ready to pounce on to the ball.
Executing a volley would require you to approach the net with a split step and then pushing forward with a punch or block. It is important to master the technique of a volley as well.
I hope this article will provide some guidance for all would-be tennis players! If you find this article useful and would really wish to learn tennis, please visit us below for our private and group lessons.
Happy Learning & Playing!
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