I’ve got another doubles shot selection situation for you.
Again, from no man’s land. This time however, it’s not a volley, it’s a groundstroke, maybe an approach, maybe a…
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Ok, what do you think? What would you do in this situation? Let us know right below in the Comments area. Thanks
Brent
Inside out forehand cross court…if returned back his partner has a chance to pick off for a put away volley.
Ken
Hi Ken. Good choice to inside the forehand, and more specifically, to do so with the shot getting down to the feet.
Brent
I agree with Ken’s comments, but I also think a drive down the near tram lines would set up a possible winner.
Chris Drew
Perth, Australia
Hi Chris. That can work IF Rodrigo (in red) can play that shot in such a way that he’s recovering to the middle of his side of the court.
If he goes for pure winner, stays in his alley, and the opponent has a play, Rodrigo loses the advantage.
Every time you play a shot, you have to consider where you on the court and if you can cover a possible return from your opponent.
Some times your shot choice is determined by your next court position…
Brent
Brent
So this must be the match at Berkeley TC back in May – the Pacific Coast Seniors Family Tournament. Brian Cory (5.0) & Rick Kepler (5.5) vs Rodrigo Prudencio (5.0) and Brian Thomas (5.0).
Looks like four potential shots for Rodrigo – (1)cross court inside-out forehand aiming for the alley, (2)down the line forehand, hopefully a dipper at Rick’s feet, (3)down the middle between Rick and Brian or (4)a lob over Rick.
I think the lob is the worst choice because Rodrigo doesn’t have much court to work with and Rick hasn’t jumped up and closed on the net yet. The down the line shot would be the 2nd worst choice because if Rodrigo doesn’t hit it perfectly, he leaves a huge amount of real estate open for Rick to place a volley.
That leaves the inside out cross court forehand and the down the middle shots. Cross court looks promising because there is some room over there as Brian Cory is on the service line and closer to the middle than to the alley. But Rodrigo has to have a lot of spin on the ball in order to clear the net and then drop it inside the sideline. If he doesn’t hit it well, Brian Cory could pick it off and hit a volley up the line for a winner since Brian Thomas is pretty much in the middle of the court.
For me the percentage shot would be down the middle. Rodrigo could hit it with a lot of spin or flatten it out. The volley would most likely go back down the middle where either he or Brian Thomas could have a play on it. Down the middle could create some confusion too as to who takes the shot.
At my level (4.5) and age that would be the shot I would play. These guys are at least a half-point better than I am and 10-15 years younger, but maybe Rodrigo has that great dipping forehand shot. I have it too, but I need to hit the ball off the frame to make it.
Best regards,
Dave
I would either go
1) crosscourt back to the body of the server. fairly hard aim to his right hip.
2) slice softly to server feet if I was really well set up and then follow it in
3) lob net player but sort of down the middle so over his BH and far enough away to prevent a smash from server.
I would not go
4) Line – I am then in a bad position. Net player only needs to get a racquet on it and I am finished.
5) crosscourt dipper to alley. Too difficult.
6) Lob crosscourt. Server in too good a position.
7) Anywhere near net player. Again positionally all wrong
My guess is the player went for 1.
I think there are three shots choices. My first choice would be to lob over Brian to the add court which is over his BH. Second take it down the line if you feel competent to do so. Last but not least down the middle.
Inside out cross court aiming for the singles line and low with a severe dipping spin and controlled power would be my choice.
Definitely wouldn’t go down either the middle or the near line when the ball is this high and the opponents are both very much covering the center. A lob? Forget about it – unless your name is Sergi Bruguera!
Down the middle.The ball is mid court with both nett players not that close to the nett.opportunity to play the ball down the middle and get it low.
Have to agree with Paul & Harry best shot must be down the middle using soft topspin forehand to keep it low without pace. This will not give either player angles to work with and hopefully elicit them popping up an easy volley. I think one of the worst shots to play in this situation is to try ripping an inside out forehand, although it is an easy shot to play it is also possible to return and then leaves all sorts of angles open. Also, I don’t think the down the line is on as this is an easy intercept however the lob down the line could be a good second alternative.
Rod seems well positioned to hit a drive down the middle or a lob over Rick in the ad court. I like the lob option.
I should have said that I like the lob over Rick in the deuce court.
I’ll go with the first response (Ken) because the ad court net person is right handed and I would drive a heater cross court to the side alley which should set up for the partner to put away down the middle -
Hi Fay. Not a bad choice if you can get the ball down where the opponent (Brain – the server) has to now volley up.
If you go with “the heater”, there’s a chance you won’t be able to spin the ball back down.
Think more of where you want Brian to have to volley the ball from (below the net) than pace.
Knowing that, you could also play a low forehand slice over there. Either way, Brian has to now volley back up.
Brent