This is the fifth article of a series of seven
Inevitably you will encounter a player who completely frustrates you and no matter what you try, you keep failing to come up with a winning strategy.
Learn to identify your opponent’s particular style, strengths and weaknesses, and their pattern of play, and how to exploit these to your advantage.
As well, inform yourself regarding your own style of play to develop the best strategy to protect your weaknesses.
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5. The Pusher (No-Pace-Hitter)
The Pusher (No-Pace-Hitter) will use the pace on your shots against you; they rarely miss their shots; the human equivalent to a backboard. Playing a no-pace-hitter is frustrating, something they are keenly aware of. They will get the ball to you at any cost. If they need to hit moonballs they will do so without hesitation. Every now and then a pusher may hit an aggressive shot to throw off your rhythm when they sense you are becoming comfortable. Remember, pushers are very comfortable grinding it out; their hope is that you will make an unforced error by getting impatient with your shots. They are extremely astute players, so you need to remain a step ahead of them. If you begin to play into their game, they will beat you. They are better at hitting with no pace. They are better at keeping the ball in play for extended rallies. So how do you beat them? Force them out of their game.
Strategy Against the Pusher (No-Pace-Hitter)
Get to the Net As Soon As You Can - remember, their weakness is that they don’t possess particularly strong groundstrokes, which is why they hit weak shots back at you. This is precisely why you want to get up to the net where you can easily put them away. A good pusher will lob you though, so be prepared to have to defend the lob with an overhead. However, because their shots tend to have little pace, you shouldn’t fear the lob. Anticipate it and set up quickly to put the ball away with an overhead smash. When volleying, try to angle your shots keeping the pusher away from the middle of the baseline, where they are most comfortable. Drop volleys can also be very effective in pulling them off the baseline.
Place Your Shots Wide Not Down the Middle On serves, serve wide then hit to the open court. Try to follow your return with a forehand shot to increase your chances of winning the point. On the return, slice wide to the sides to keep them off the baseline. On returns, hit shots cross court. Remember the goal is to move them away from the baseline. Don’t put too much pace on your shots, force them to have to generate their own pace. Move up as opportunities lend themselves which will allow you to hit deeper balls and at the same time give your opponent less time to set up. Don’t rush your shots, but by getting sooner to the ball, you gain a timing advantage.
Force them up to the Net - pushers generally are most comfortable playing back from the baseline, so bring them up to the net. Use the drop shot to surprise them and force them up. Ideally, you want to play shots deep to keep them back and then counter with short shots to bring them forward to the net. Another useful strategy is to make them play in no man’s land, between the baseline and service line. You can then counter your shot with a deep shot to the backhand side where they will have to back up and swing wide on their weaker side. Don’t be afraid to hit a few moonballs yourself. It’s effective to hit high balls well above the net to keep them pinned back. This will allow you to either rush the net yourself or bring them up to the net on the next shot.
Playing a pusher will be tough, be prepared for a long drawn out battle. Also be prepared for some anguish; but if you want to stand any chance of winning, you can’t let them frustrate you. Use the tactics outlined here methodically and you will prevail!
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