I have both pushed and faced pushers, and the key is the net. Basically pushers love the base line but are weaker closer to the net when given short balls/volleys (tend to push them back not put them away), and are weak against someone at the net volleying/smashing their weaker pushed shots. So either you draw a short ball out of them and attack the net, or you draw them forward towards the net and pass them. I do think hitting the ball on the rise is a good idea but it's lower % shot so I'd save it for attacking that short ball, and I would still expect it to come back so I would have to be prepared to follow it in and put away the volley.

There are two challenges related to playing on the rise: you need to be able to get to that ball, and also to time your strike right…

Very insightful. If this works it'll make my life a lot happier

great coaching, many thanks! Hitting on the rise (at the top ) with the half swing (instead of full swing) to make a setup play following a winner play works me well the past week ! the week before , I think too much for easy ball and end with hitting on-the-down which gives me an uncomfortable position to swing and I lost 80% of them .... -/-

as a solid 4.5 player - this is amazing vid and amazing advice!

Interesting analysis. A lot of pushers hit with heavy back spin which generally draws you to the net. There next move is to usually lob you when they have drawn you in. The key I find is to get to the ball and to hit it carefully to the opponents corners but to stay back from the net and stay around the service T. Then I have the opportunity to volley or smash any back spin returns.

When dealing with looping slow balls hit it on the rise with compact strokes that means you must position your feet closer and shoulders square to the ball then direct the ball to the opposite side of the opponent and aim short, you’ll see it lands slightly longer from where you’re aiming. Compact strokes will force you not to swing fast but more control so you don’t fear of hitting it out long

The higher the ball, the more vertical the trajectory it falls with and I find the harder it is to time 'hitting on the rise!' - I'm talking about the kind of lob returns that are landing mid-court from being hit into orbit - my kryptonite - if I cannot get there in time to hit an overhead I am stranded mid-court trying to time hitting a ball that bounces vertically, or, I give myself more time and hit it on the way down after it bounces, but then it's hard to safely generate enough pace to put it away for a winner. I suppose I need to work on footwork!?

wow it's wonderful thinking, it's a wisdom!!! Thanks.

Thanks Steve , will give this a try . Speaking as an older player , I now find myself at times struggling against ‘pushers' who are younger and often fitter and the ball keeps coming back again and again. Singles matches against pushers generally follow a similar pattern. Early part of the match I'm well on top or at least level, then the tiredness and lack of fitness kicks in and game often goes downhill and my shots which were all going in at the start break down. Will try your suggestion. How about a video on combating those experienced players who simply slice nearly every ball with pace, spin and depth, forehand and backhand. We have a quite a few veterans at our club who have played for many years and continue to enjoy success based almost entirely on a vicious slice from both wings, normally accompanied with reasonable volley ability to end the point when they get the ball lifted to them. Speaking to the best in club at this art, I found they all use the continental grip for everything and have done for years. What do you recommend to improve against the demon slice?

Federer's racquet is particularly good for executing these kinds of shots. I'm not sure what exactly it is about his racquet but the weight and ball pocketing allows you to feel totally in control as you take a ball on the rise. Same with low pickup half volleys -- his racquet is magic. I've never understood exactly why tho.

Fed uses an eastern grip on the forehand making it easier to hit balls on the rise and in front. Easier to do this with a one-hand backhand as well. When he switched to the larger RF97, it gave him more margin for error to hit a sharp rising ball. Pushers try to buy time, the key is to take it away from them.

Federer always had that on the rise shot on both the forehand and backhand. He used a half volley on short hops on the backhand side as well. He got better on the high backhand in 2017 where he could hit the on the rise ball at head level. And he would hit winners off of this. That's how he defeated Nadal's forehand. To this day, no one has been able to copy his technique. Even two-handers struggle with head level high balls. In general, taking the ball on the rise is a skill that's acquired through practice. It's hard to coach this. The player needs to have an aggressive mindset and wants to play on the baseline for the entire match. I never back up. I refuse to give ground. And it took a while to develop the skill set and now it's completely natural that I don't even think about it. However, the most difficult shot is the deep moon-ball shot where you really need a swinging volley.

I sometimes take the opportunity to practice this technique when playing opponents who deliver a powder puff serve. I position myself as close to the service box as possible, so as to be forced to take the ball on the rise. It leads to a great many winner returns, rescues me from boredom and impatience, trains my reflexes, and whenever I do miss, I can generally afford to.

Fantastic!

Ok this is the best lesson yet! Amazing information. Thank you. I play this one guy who gives me shots like this almost EVERY time and he always beats me even though I can outperform him on deep ground strokes every time. 🙏🏼

I must try this...I hate playing pushers. I've lost twice in my club tournament to a guy who just runs and lobs

Totally makes sense. You are a guru. Where do you do your coaching?

I always try to hit the ball high, when it's slow. So I should try to hit waist height... Yes?

This sounds cool. If I pay for a subscription.. Can you help me learn this... I hate losing to pushers

thank you for following up my comment form your previous video with this video, I will give this a go and let you know how I go.

Federer uses 370gram raket and has strength to take halde swings...everyone should know the raket dictates how you play...give Federer a Light 300gram raket like 99% of People uses and see if he plays the same

The problem I find with pushers is that you don't get that bounce (especially in this weather!) so the ball at best is just above the knee! Any tips for low balls? As for developing power at an older age, you need to hit the gym. Good forehand technique and strong movement from compound lifting (deadlift, bench press, squat and shoulder press) really makes a difference. I suppose it depends on how important it is to develop power. A few weeks ago, one lady commented that I hit the ball like a man. 🤣 Just as well that's what I identify as. I noticed that when she's watching me play, if you get one of those delicious bouncers that puts the ball at shoulder height, she knows that I'm going to jump up and do one of those spinning forehand shots that you see Monsfils do, and she makes an audible "Pew!" sound as I'm about to hit it. 😂

Now I can beat "the most exhausting player".

good tip. but to claim this can make you "Never lose to a PUSHER again" is exaggerating.

Slow ballers and lobbers are horrible to play against. Just avoid these type of people as it’s not real Tennis it’s just garbage. I played against a guy once who would often lob a return of serve. Pathetic tactics.