Short-Angle Crosscourt
Also known as: angle shot, sharp angle, short angle, short angle shot, sharp crosscourt angle, angled crosscourt, sharp angle crosscourt
To hit a sharp angle crosscourt, aim to land the ball near where the service line meets the sideline. Use heavy topspin, meet the ball out in front and swing more across the ball than through it. It works best from a ball that is already wide or short.
A short-angle crosscourt lands short and wide, often before the service line, and pulls the opponent far off the court. A normal crosscourt aims deep. The angle shot aims sideways instead. It opens space on the other side of the court for your next shot.
The ball must dip fast to land short and inside the sideline. That takes topspin. Use a semi-western or western grip if you have one, take the ball out in front and brush up and across the outside of the ball. A windshield-wiper or reverse finish helps. Aim lower over the net than on a rally ball but keep a little margin. Hit with less pace than a deep drive. Extra speed makes it harder to land the ball short.
The best time is when the incoming ball is short, wide or crosscourt. Coaches often say that angle creates angle. A ball from the middle of the court has little angle to give. Avoid it from deep behind the baseline, where the ball has too far to travel to land short. After you hit it, recover quickly. A good angle also gives the opponent angles back.
Tips by skill level
Place a target cone where the service line meets the singles sideline. Rally slowly crosscourt and try to land balls near it with plenty of topspin.
Use the short angle as a setup. When the opponent is pulled wide, the next ball to the open court or behind them is often an easy winner.
Example
In a crosscourt forehand rally, her opponent sends a shorter ball wide. She steps in, brushes up the outside of the ball and lands it just past the service box near the sideline. He scrambles off the court, and she puts his floating reply into the open court.
Why it matters
Angles move the opponent sideways and off the court. That opens the whole court for your next shot.
Common mistakes
- Trying the angle from the middle of the court or deep behind the baseline
- Hitting it flat and too hard instead of with heavy topspin
- Aiming right at the sideline with no margin
- Watching the shot instead of recovering for the reply
Frequently asked questions
How do I hit a sharp angle crosscourt?
Take the ball out in front and brush up and across it with heavy topspin. Aim near where the service line meets the sideline and use less pace than a deep drive. It works best off a short or wide ball.
When should I hit an angle shot in tennis?
When the incoming ball is short, wide or already crosscourt. A ball in the middle of the court gives little angle. Avoid it from deep behind the baseline.
What is a short angle in tennis?
It is a crosscourt shot that lands short and wide, near the service line, and pulls the opponent off the court. Players use it to open space for the next shot or to pass a net player.
Related terms
- Crosscourt ShotA crosscourt shot travels diagonally across the net to the opposite side of the court. It uses the longest available distance and the lowest part of the net.
- Windshield Wiper ForehandThe windshield wiper forehand finishes with the racquet sweeping across the body like a car's wiper. The extra face rotation adds heavy topspin.
- Reverse Forehand (Buggy-Whip Finish)A reverse forehand finishes with the racquet over the hitting shoulder or above the head instead of across the body. It gives fast topspin and a sharp dip on short angles, running forehands and balls that jam you. Use it as a variation. Most forehands should still finish across the body.
- Passing ShotA passing shot is hit by the baseline player when the opponent has approached the net, aiming to place the ball past the net player through an angle or pace that cannot be volleyed.
- TopspinTopspin is forward spin imparted by brushing up the back of the ball. It makes the ball dip down into the court and kick up high after the bounce.
- 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.
Related guides & benchmarks
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