2017.12.20

Hi everyone!
Part of being a well balanced tennis player is having good defensive skills. I remember as a junior I grew up focusing on offense and having power, but not recalling how often we practiced defensive tactics. Here is another defensive tactical tip when the opponent hits an offensive down the line shot by either forehand or backhand.

Defend cross court effectively from an offensive down the line attack

The diagram illustrates the defensive player on the bottom positioned in the center moving to the right to cover the aggressive down the line shot.
The opponents position designated as a triangle hits an offensive down the line shot by either forehand or backhand.
Aim the offensive down the line shot cross court to area A or B. Aiming to area B may allow you to convert the situation or increase the unforced error % by opponent. Area C would be avoided because the risk of the opponent hitting another offensive down the line.

Shot Selection: Windmill

The type of shot we recommend using is a heavy forehand spin ball or what we call it at APF [Windmill]. Other places may call it the ‘Nadal shot’ or ‘hair-brushing shot’.
If the shot is effective enough, you will be able to quickly turn the tide from defense to offense and force the opponent from offense quickly into defense.
Please Note! This video demonstrates the type of shot selection ONLY.