Attacking the Weaker Side
Also known as: attack the backhand, attacking the backhand, hit to their backhand, hit everything to their backhand, target the weaker side, attack the opponent's weakness, attacking the opponent's backhand
Hit most of your shots to their weaker side, often the backhand, but not every single one. If you only hit there, they will cover it and run around to forehands. Pull them wide to the stronger side now and then, then go back to the weakness when the court opens.
Most players have a weaker wing. At club level it is often the backhand, though not always. Find it in the warm-up and the first games. Then build your patterns around it.
Attack it with depth and height, not just pace. A high, deep ball to a weak backhand is hard to handle. Serve to it on big points. Approach to it. When the opponent sends a weak reply, attack the open court.
Do not become predictable. If every ball goes to the backhand, they will cheat that way and run around more forehands. Their weak side may also improve with practice in the match. Mix in a ball to the strong side to open the court. Then go back to the weakness with a better angle.
Tips by skill level
Watch the warm-up and note which side looks less steady. Aim most of your rally balls there.
Use the strong side to move the opponent, then hit behind them to the weak side. Change height as well as direction.
Example
He hits most rally balls deep to his opponent's backhand. When she starts shading that way, he goes wide to her forehand. Her reply lands short and he attacks her backhand corner again.
Why it matters
Pressure on a weaker side produces errors and short balls. Doing it with variety keeps the pressure from fading.
Common mistakes
- Hitting every ball to the same side
- Hitting at the weakness too hard and missing
- Not checking which side is weaker
- Giving up the plan after one lost game
Frequently asked questions
Should I hit everything to their backhand?
Most balls, not all. Mix in shots to the forehand to open the court, or they will cover the backhand and run around it.
Should I attack my opponent's backhand in singles?
Usually, if it is their weaker side. Hit most rally balls there with depth and height, but mix in balls to the forehand so they cannot camp on the backhand.
How do I find my opponent's weakness?
Watch the warm-up and the first games. Look for the wing with less pace or control, and how they handle high and low balls.
Related terms
- Game Plan and ScoutingA simple tennis game plan has two or three goals: use your best shot as often as you can, attack the opponent's weaker side, and play high-percentage tennis on big points. Scout the opponent in the warm-up and first games. Check at changeovers whether the plan is working, and switch to plan B if it is not.
- Shot SelectionShot selection is the real-time choice of shot type, direction, pace, and spin. It depends on court position, ball height, opponent location, and score.
- Singles Patterns of PlayA core singles pattern is to rally crosscourt until you get a shorter or weaker ball, then change direction down the line or attack. Others include the inside-out forehand to the opponent's backhand, the serve plus one and the approach down the line. Patterns give each shot a job.
- Inside-Out ForehandAn inside-out forehand is played by running around a ball that arrives on the backhand side and redirecting it with the forehand to the opponent's backhand corner.
Related guides & benchmarks
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