Low Balls (Groundstrokes)
Also known as: hitting low balls, how to hit low balls, low bouncing balls in tennis, low groundstrokes, low balls on my forehand
To hit low balls, bend your knees and widen your stance to get down to the ball instead of bending at the waist. Swing more steeply from low to high with a vertical or slightly open racquet face, and aim higher over the net. Stay down through contact.
A low ball bounces below the knees. It is hard because it has to travel up to clear the net, and the racquet must start below it. Many errors come from bending at the waist. The racquet head drops, the swing flattens out and the ball goes into the net or floats long.
Lower the body with the legs. A wider stance helps. Keep the back fairly upright and the head level. Take the racquet below the ball and swing up more steeply than you would on a waist-high ball. The racquet face should be close to vertical or slightly open at contact. Aim with extra height over the net and let topspin bring the ball down. Stay low through contact and rise only as you finish.
Grip matters. Eastern and continental grips handle low balls more easily than a full western grip. A western grip prefers higher contact. Players with strong grips need to bend lower. A slice is often the safer reply to a very low ball. Lifting a ball that low with topspin is a skill to build over time.
Tips by skill level
Have a partner feed low balls and hit them from a wide, low stance with your head level. Aim for the ball to clear the net by a good margin.
Use the low ball tactically. A low slice back makes the opponent hit up too. A lifted topspin ball with height buys time to recover.
Example
On a low-bouncing court, his forehands keep finding the net. His coach tells him to bend his knees until his eyes are much closer to the ball and to aim well higher over the net. The ball starts clearing comfortably and dipping in.
Why it matters
Low balls are a common target on slow, low-bouncing courts and against slicers. Getting down to them keeps you from hitting into the net.
Common mistakes
- Bending at the waist and dropping the racquet head
- Aiming too low over the net
- Standing up out of the shot before contact
- Trying to drive a very low ball hard and flat
Frequently asked questions
How do I hit low balls in tennis?
Bend your knees and widen your stance to get down to the ball. Swing more steeply up through it with a near-vertical face and aim higher over the net. Stay low until after contact.
Why do I hit low balls into the net?
Usually the racquet is not below the ball, or you aim too low. Bending at the waist instead of the knees is a common cause. Get down with your legs, start the racquet below the ball and aim higher.
Is a western grip bad for low balls?
It makes them harder. A western grip prefers contact around chest height. Players with strong grips need to bend lower. Many use a slice for the lowest balls.
Related terms
- Leg Drive on GroundstrokesLeg drive is the push off the ground that starts the kinetic chain on a groundstroke. It sends upward and rotational energy into the hips, torso, and arm.
- Western Forehand Grip TimingWestern forehand grip timing is about the narrow contact-height window this grip demands. Contact too low or too high costs far more than with a neutral grip.
- Racquet Face Angle at ContactRacquet face angle at contact is the string bed's tilt from vertical when the ball is struck. It mainly decides the ball's launch direction and spin type.
- Eastern GripThe eastern grip puts the index knuckle on bevel 3, the handle's flat side. It gives a flat or moderate-topspin forehand at a comfortable height.
- SliceIn tennis, a slice is a backspin shot hit high-to-low through the ball, for a low, skidding bounce. A golf slice, by contrast, is a curving mishit.
- Handling a Low SliceAgainst a low slice, move in early, get low with your legs and shorten your backswing. The ball skids and stays low. Lift it with a steeper low-to-high swing and aim higher over the net, usually crosscourt. You can also slice it back. Do not try to rip it flat.
Related guides & benchmarks
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