1. Passing Fancy
A passing shot is when the opposing tennis player approaches the net and you try to make a shot that passes them and scores a point. The difficulty level of the passing depends on the size and athleticism of the opposing player at the net and your own skill and experience level. A player hits the typical passing shot parallel to the closest sideline on the court. Any shot that gets the ball past the opponent is a good passing shot.
2. Keep the Same Mechanics
Too many times players will overhit a passing shot because they think they need to hit harder than any other shot to get it past the opponent. This will alter the mechanics of the shot and cause the shot to be long or hit the net. Treat the passing shot as you would any other shot. Set up and follow through the shot with the usual motion and footwork. The only thing you want to vary is pace and placement.
3. Ignore the Opponent
Seeing the opponent at the net can cause the beginning player to alter his shot. This is a mistake. If you are a nervous or a novice tennis player, visualize the passing shot as if the opponent was not even there. Once you become comfortable with the passing shot then you can factor in opponent placement into the equation.
4. Vary the Passing shots
Use various types of shots for your passing shots. Too often players will become reliant on one type of shot and the opponent will learn to anticipate the placement and pace. Use a slow angled passing shot one time and hard driving shot the next, this will keep the opponent guessing and off balance.
5. Shoot Low
Keep the passing shot as low as possible and do not worry about hitting the net. The higher you hit the passing shot the more likely the opposing player will have time to react to the shot. In addition, the high shot makes it easier for the opponent to slam the return back down on your side of the court. The best passing shot scrapes the net and has the lowest angle of trajectory. There is also the passing lob. This is the trickiest passing shot because if it's not high enough, the other player will smash the ball down on your side of the net. Also, the lob gives the opponent time to circle around the shot, thereby defeating the purpose of the passing shot.
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