Attacking Short Balls
Also known as: attack short balls, attack a short ball, attacking a short ball, short ball attack, moving forward to a short ball, moving forward to attack, short ball in tennis
To attack a short ball, read it early and move forward fast, with small steps at the end. Get beside the ball and take it around waist height or above, before it drops. Hit firmly but with margin, usually deep or to the weaker side, and keep moving toward the net.
A short ball lands around the service line or closer. It is a chance to move forward, hit from a higher contact point and take time away from the opponent. Many players miss these balls. The ball looks easy. Players then rush, overswing or arrive with their feet still moving.
React as soon as you see the ball will land short. Run forward, then use small steps to get beside the ball, not on top of it. Try to take it at the top of the bounce or on the way up, at waist height or higher. High short balls can be driven. Low short balls often suit a slice approach. Keep the swing compact. You are closer to the net and need less pace.
Pick the shot before you get there. The classic option is a deep approach to the backhand or down the line, followed by a move to the net. Go for a winner into the open court when the ball sits up and the opponent is out of position. Aim inside the lines with margin. After the shot, keep moving forward and split step as the opponent hits. Stopping in midcourt lets them hit at your feet.
Tips by skill level
Have a partner feed one deep ball, then one short ball. Move in, set up with small steps and hit the short ball deep crosscourt with a compact swing.
Take the short ball as high and early as you can. The higher the contact point, the more you can hit through it. The opponent also has less time to recover.
Example
Her opponent's backhand lands near the service line. She sprints forward, takes small steps to set up beside the ball at waist height and drives it deep down the line. She follows it in and puts away the floating reply with a volley.
Why it matters
Short balls are the main chance to take control of a point from the baseline. Wasting them hands the advantage back to the opponent.
Common mistakes
- Waiting at the baseline and letting the short ball drop too low
- Running through the shot instead of setting up with small steps
- Overswinging because the ball looks easy
- Hitting the approach and then stopping in midcourt
Frequently asked questions
How do I attack short balls without missing?
Move in early, finish with small steps and set up beside the ball. Take it around waist height before it drops, keep the swing compact and aim deep with margin instead of at the lines.
What should I do with a short ball in tennis?
Move forward and attack it. A deep approach shot followed by a move to the net is the usual play. If the ball sits up and the court is open, go for the open court with margin.
Should I come to the net after a short ball?
Often, yes. After a deep approach from a short ball, moving forward lets you finish the point with a volley. Stopping in midcourt leaves balls at your feet.
Related terms
- Approach ShotAn 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.
- Approach to NetApproaching the net means moving forward from the baseline after an approach shot or serve. The aim is to put away the point with a volley or overhead.
- Net Approach TimingNet approach timing is when a player moves in to the net, relative to their shot and the opponent's reply. The aim is to split step as the opponent hits.
- Adjustment StepsAdjustment steps are the small, quick steps you take just before contact to fine-tune your distance from the ball. After the big steps that get you there, shorten your stride and keep your feet moving until the ball is in your strike zone. They fix being too close, too far or late.
- Tennis No-Man's LandNo-man's land is the area between the service line and the baseline. Standing still there is risky. Balls land at your feet and force half-volleys or low volleys. It is fine to pass through it on the way to the net. Split step there as the opponent hits, then keep moving forward or back.
- Aggressive Baseline PlayAggressive baseline play means taking the ball early and hitting with pace and depth from the baseline. It dictates rallies instead of waiting for errors.
Related guides & benchmarks
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