You know the type. They try to kill everything hit to them. They have no idea what a lob or drop shot is. They win by hitting balls past you with all the power they can muster.
They can be beaten....if you play it smart.
If you have trouble with the big hitters the thing to understand is that you can’t let them draw you into playing their game. Many big hitters want you to stand at the baseline and trade big swings with them. Don’t play their game.
You have to take them out of their comfort zone. Big hitters like to see the ball coming with some pace on it so they can hit it back with even more pace. Don’t give them balls they can tee off on. You will have to mix it up.
Here are some ways to get them out of their comfort zone:
- Get them off the baseline. Hit some drop shots when you can and force them toward the net. From there they will either have to come all the way in and hit a volley or backpedal to the baseline. Either way, you have moved them off their preferred spot.
- Take pace off the ball. Try to hit it deep and with less pace than they would like. You are going to force them to over swing to generate the pace they like. It also attacks their ego and will frustrate them, both of which makes them more apt to hit errors.
- Slice. This will take some pace off the ball while making the ball bounce lower. Big hitters like to see topspin, which puts the ball higher on the bounce and puts it right in there strike zone where they can hit it back with lots of power and topspin. Lower bounces will force them to hit balls in ways they won’t like.
- Spin Serves. Use spin to mix it up on your serves. This will keep them from getting comfortable and less likely to have a ball where they want it.
- Make them run. Hit to all parts of the court and make them run down balls. This will test their fitness, lengthen points and force them to hit balls on the run. Most players can not hit the ball as hard on the run as they can while having the chance to set them selves.
One thing to keep in mind about many big hitters is that they are going to win their share of points. They will hit some right by you and there won’t be much you can do.
Patience will be the key. Lengthen the points and win as many points as possible by taking them off their game. Think of the match as a marathon and chip away, winning as many points as you can by playing smart. In the end, you’ll win more matches.
