An approach is not a winner---it should set up a winner. Transitioning through the middle of the tennis court requires dynamic balance so you can position yourself to both hit your shot deep and continue to the net. Learning to get to short balls correctly is key to hitting a successful approach. Run to the ball properly and you'll increase your chances of coming to the net behind an offensive shot.
Step 1
Practice with a partner who can feed balls deep and short from the opposite baseline. Have your partner feed balls that bounce around the service line, short enough to make you take several steps to move into the court to play each ball.
Step 2
Have your partner feed four types of balls: short balls to the forehand and backhand that bounce above the level of the net; and short balls to the forehand and backhand that bounce below the level of the net. Practice each type of ball in a series before moving on to the next. For example, practice 20 high-bouncing balls to your forehand in a row, then 20 low-bouncing balls to the forehand.
Step 3
Run to the ball from the side, rather than from behind it, so you can hit the ball as you would a regular ground stroke. Many players focus on getting to the ball, running too close to the ball to hit it powerfully.
Step 4
Plant your front foot just before you hit the ball, then push off it as you hit, continuing to the net after you hit the shot. This footwork is different from running through the shot without stopping because of the slight bounce off of the front foot just before contact.
Step 5
Practice hitting slice forehands off your right foot and topspin forehands off your left foot, if you are a right-hander. Practice hitting slice backhands turning sideways to the net, then crossing your left foot behind your right foot, if you are a right-hander. These movements help you get your body turned to swing your racket forward, instead of across your body, giving you more depth.
Step 6
Practice hitting balls deep and to the corners to keep your opponent pinned back and give yourself more time to get to the net. Practice hitting approaches to the middle of the court to take away your opponent's angles.
Step 7
Open your racket face on slice approach shots to get more depth. Turn your shoulders enough so that you can slice forward, to the opposite baseline, instead of slicing across your body to the sideline. This creates more underspin than sidespin, keeping the ball in the court and low. Practice finishing topspin approaches with the racket over your shoulder, rather than under, to get more depth.
Step 8
Finish practicing using a pattern of hitting one or two deep balls from the baseline, then receiving a short ball, just as you would during a match. Practice coming to the net behind your approach shots. Finish these practice points with a volley, making a split step just before your partner hits the ball back; as your opponent is about to hit the ball, land on the balls of both feet at once, then quickly spring to the direction your partner has hit the ball.
References
- "Bollettieri's Tennis Handbook": Tools of Tenacious Net Play; Nick Bollettieri
- "Tennis Mastery": Footwork in Using the Slice as an Approach Shot; David W. Smith
- Web Tennis: Forehand Slice Groundstroke -- It Sets Up The Approach Shot; Brent Abel; April 2011
- YouTube: How to Play Tennis: How to Hit an Approach Shot in Tennis; Lincoln Ward
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