Approach Shot
Also known as: approach, attacking shot
An approach shot is struck off a short ball as the player moves toward the net, designed to put the opponent under pressure while allowing time to close into a volley position.
The approach shot bridges the baseline and net phases of a point. When an opponent's shot lands short — inside the service box or near the service line — the player can move forward, strike aggressively, and follow the shot to the net. A good approach is typically played down the line to give the net-rusher the shortest closing path and leave the opponent passing on the tougher line. Depth and pace are more important than angle; keeping the ball low and fast forces the opponent to dig a difficult passing shot. Approach shots can be hit flat, with topspin, or as slice — slice stays low and gives the attacking player extra time to close. The decision to approach is based on ball height, depth, pace, and the server's position.
Example
Receiving a mid-court slice that bounces low, the player steps in, drives a flat forehand deep to the backhand corner, and closes to the net behind the shot.
Why it matters
A weak approach shot gives opponents an easy passing angle. SwingVantage links your contact point and follow-through to approach depth, helping you finish points instead of setting up easy passes.
Frequently asked questions
Should I go down the line or crosscourt on my approach shot?
Down the line is the classic choice — it gives you the shortest closing path to the net and leaves the opponent with the most difficult passing angle. Crosscourt approaches work when the opponent is clearly on the wrong side.
Related terms
- Down-the-Line ShotA down-the-line shot travels parallel to the nearest sideline, changing the direction of a crosscourt rally to create a sharper angle or exploit an open court.
- Approach to NetApproaching the net is the tactical decision to move forward from the baseline toward the net after an approach shot or serve, aiming to put away the point with a volley or overhead.
- Volley TechniqueVolley technique refers to the mechanics of striking the ball before it bounces, using a short, firm punch action rather than a full groundstroke swing.
- SliceIn tennis, a slice is a shot hit with backspin by swinging high-to-low through the ball, producing a low, skidding bounce. (This differs from a golf slice, which is a curving mishit.)
- Shot SelectionShot selection is the real-time tactical decision of which shot type, direction, pace, and spin to use on each ball, based on court position, ball height, opponent location, and score situation.
- Court PositioningCourt positioning is where a player stands between shots, continuously adjusted to maximize coverage of the opponent's most likely replies while minimizing defensive vulnerability.
Related guides & benchmarks
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