Better Ways of Attacking the Net

It is extremely clear that serve and volley used to be the norm for playing tennis up until the twenty first century. Players such as Pete Sampras and Stefan Edberg would always follow their serve into the net. However, as mentioned in another article, the slower courts and new racket technology caused players to eliminate this choice from their game. Due to this, tennis has shifted to sitting comfortably at the baseline and extending points out.

Although serve and volley is the predominant choice when coming up, there are actually numerous other ways to attack the net. In that case, we will look into the best ways to charge the net in the modern game and when it is the best time to put them into use.

Classic Serve & Volley

I am aware I mentioned that serve and volley is ancient, but it is still something the pros on the ATP and WTA do from time to time. It is also something that I recommend for players at the recreational level. What’s more, for anything that is said today, it is important to have sound volley technique and fundamentals. If not, my advice is that you decide to not attack the net and stick to your previous game plan.

First, let’s put out what you shouldn't be doing when you decide to follow your serve in. Surprisingly, stop trying to serve flat or slice and come to the net. The reason for this is that those serves are going to be the fastest serves. Thus, you will have less time to approach the net in time and most likely be hitting the volley around the service line.

Instead, I recommend you to do what Pat Rafter or modern players like Alcaraz decide to do, which is to kick the serve and come to the net. The flight path of a kick serve is much longer than the one of a flat or slice serve. With this little extra time, you are allowed to volley inside the service line, meaning you have better chances to play a quality shot.

Chip & Charge

Another way you can come to the net is to attack off the return. The best way of doing this is with a chip, which is basically an abbreviated slice. The chip is something you don't see at all anymore on the pro tour, but at the rec level it still has a time and a place. It is a phenomenal way to surprise your opponent or maybe put pressure on them because they're going to have to come up with a passing shot. Additionally, if you strike your chip well the ball is going to stay low and increase the chances of them missing long.

The danger of chipping is if you don't hit it well enough or if you play against a high level opponent. In those scenarios, they're going to pass you because let's face it, a chip is a slow shot and you're actually looking for your opponent to mess up. What’s more, please make sure you don’t overdo this, for your opponent is going to get used to this. Therefore, only pull this out every now and then so you can keep the surprise factor.

After the Drop Shot

Stepping a bit inside the court after the drop shot is a great idea since you want to defend against the counter drop shot. However, if you have great feel and you hit a quality drop shot, the opponent is likely to pop the ball up since they are making contact below net level. For that reason, it is wise to charge the net and hit the next shot as a volley. Now just like for the chip and charge, don’t do this too often or your opponent will be expecting the dropper. Well, keep hitting them if they are just as good as Alcaraz’s.

The Trusty Approach Shot

If your opponent hits something around the service line, it is a no-brainer to hit a regular approach shot and come to the net for an easy volley. In addition, something that recreational players sometimes have a hard time understanding is that the approach shot is not a ball to hit a winner off of. Instead, it works to put you in a great position to hit the winner as a volley and drop it short. In fact, sometimes your presence at the net will throw off the other player and cause them to miss due to the pressure.

A More Physical Way of Playing

Something that should be cleared up is that all of these methods of attacking the net work for both, singles and doubles. In my opinion, it should be done more in doubles, for there is less court to cover; thus, making it easier to come up.

However, please be aware that charging the net is very physical. It exerts loads of energy, so you must be aware of that when you decide to play this way. Hence, if you switch up your style to becoming an attacking player, make sure that you are in good shape and are able to run point after point.

When To Stay Back

Coming to the net more often can be a superb approach, but players don’t capitalize that they have to be patient in certain circumstances. For instance, if you are exchanging balls from behind the baseline and out of the blue you decide to come up to the net.

It is clear that the distance from behind the baseline to the service box is too large. You will be guaranteed to leave your plan behind and hit a half volley. However, if you are hitting aggressive shots and your opponent is struggling to reach them, you should still come up. The chances of them hitting a quality shot are very low.

New Tactics

Finding a way into the net by being aggressive is an awesome approach, but another great tactic is to hit a deep moon ball. By hitting this annoying shot, your opponent scrambles back to most likely hit a moon ball back. You will sneak up into the service box because you are guaranteed to get a high ball mid-court that you can take as a swing volley or an overhead. I am aware that moon balls are aesthetically a disgrace to our sport, but like everything else mentioned today, it is okay to mix it up every now and then.

Final Thoughts

Finding the correct opportunity to charge the net in today’s game can seem extremely difficult. Every time you have enough courage to do so, you mess up or your opponent passes you without difficulty. Therefore, give it a chance with a chip on a return or after a drop shot, and keep attacking on a short ball. I promise it will keep your opponent guessing, as well as make your life a lot easier because you will have an easier time to put the ball away. It sure worked for the legends of the game. Maybe you will become one too.