How to play counterpunching tennis?-Please help?

Question

Hi I am 16 and really enjoy my tennis. I want to find a game that plays on my strengths. I am a good athlete and a quick runner. However I cannot serve nor can I volley also I am not a big hitter. I like the idea of counter punching as I think it will suit my qualities that are passing shots and creating angles.

How does counterpunching really work?

How should I rally etc.

Any tactical or technical insights would be useful thankyou.

Answer 1

a counter puncher stays on the baseline and has to be really quick to get everything back.  counter punchers grind and wait for the right oppurtunity to pounce on the ball, almost like a cat and a ball of yarn.  they are not pushers nor do they hit a winner right off the bat.  they wait and are patient.  you need to have great legs and footwork to be a good CP.  a regular point for a CP would be getting the ball deep with heavy spin, they when their opponent hits a shorter ball, they attack and maybe even get to the net.  

you should rally with lots of spin and very deep.  always try to have your opponent on their heels.

Answer 2

To play counterpunching tennis, take a few things into consideration:

First, most counterpunchers remain on the baseline unless they have a good approach to come in on (think Lleyton Hewitt). So, if you want to be a good counterpuncher, definitely work on your baseline play and when you see you've hit an aggressive shot and your opponent replies with a weak response, answer back with a mid-court approach. To help you to get comfortable in the area between the service line and the net, practice some swinging volleys by having somebody serve lobs to you where you start at the baseline and rush up the court and make your swinging volley. This will help you with your anticipating during actual play.

Next, most great counterpunchers rely on consistency. If you're comfortable hitting with topspin, I'd recommend employing that shot significantly. The spin brings the ball in the court at least 9 times out of 10, so you'll likely make few errors with this shot. What I like to do, personally, is hit deep topspin in the court, making my opponent return the ball. Then, I enjoy taking some pace off the ball and hitting a nice topspin angle cross-court. I feel like it's a nice mix of counterpunching and aggression.

Don't let your opponent get too comfortable with one type of shot or style, though. Also try your best to flatten out your slice deep into the court, particularly near the sidelines where you'll really make your opponent do some road work. The slice, if hit properly, will also stay in the court because of how high-percentage of a play it is.

Finally, flattening out your shots is a good play too. Compared to the topspin shot and the slice shot, though, the flat shot is relatively low-percentage. Thus, if you want to play a nice counterpunching game with some flat shots, keep in mind the idea of hitting flat with controlled aggression. You hear tennis commentators comment on this term all the time, especially Patrick McEnroe. I'm sure you get this jist of what he means, but just incase, it refers to a player hitting flat but hitting with more percentage. Thus, don't try to go for winners all the time; even though you might make more winners this way, you're likely to make more errors as well. Instead, hit flat with less pace so it'll have more margin for error and thus, it'll be safer. Then, if you have a good opportunity to hit hard and aggressively, do so.

Answer 3

Hi i play the same game as you but have been using this tactic for about 5 years the real way to play is in the first few games find the players weaker side forehand/backhand once you have found this out continue playing to the weaker side and unforced errors will creep in. The player will then try just to get it in because of the errors there making which then sets you up for a clean winner or come into the net to just tuck the ball away, its a very clever way if you pull it off and will work wonders! Hope it goes well mate

Answer 4

counterpunching is what a "pusher" does. a pusher gets in position for every ball but doesn't put much power into it. they focus more on returning everything in play and not missing. They want the opponent to commit the error. Many counterpunchers drop shot the opponent which lures them to net, then they lob it over their head. COunterpunching takes a lot of stamina and endurance. U have to manuever around the court quickly to get everything back. Pushers also use high topspin moon balls that bounce over some opponent's heads. Counterpunchers rarely play aggressive and push the ball over the net and are very consistent. I hope this helped. Vote me for best answer plz!