Many a times we wonder what an approach shot is all about. It is one of tennis' most aggressive shots these days.We will try to break down and analyse this shot.
In most instances, you should only play the approach shot when the ball is short that is, the ball is within the mid-court area. This will allow you to take advantage of the position and move up to the net to volley and harass your opponent by putting pressure to him. There is no point playing the approach shot from the baseline as it will take too long a time to hit the shot and approach the net. Your opponent would have passed you with a passing shot before you could reach the net
As the phrase suggests, the approach shot is a shot which allows you to approach somewhere. And that 'somewhere' is the net. One plays an approach shot in order to move up and take charge of the net in order to volley or smash the ball for a winner.
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.
The volley has to be done in a crouch position in order that you can see the ball earlier and be more alert towards a the return shot from the opponent. One should then volley the ball away from the opponent.
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