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TENNIS: MORE ABOUT DEPTH

I would like to talk to you some more about DEPTH.

Almost always when I tell my pupils I'm going to analyze the depth in their game the same two things will happen:

They will start to hit the ball much deeper than usual, just because I focused their attention on it.
They will try to hit almost every ball deep into the opponent's court.

While #1 is disturbing in itself (shouldn't [advanced] players hit the ball deep without being told?) #2 is pretty interesting as well.

When I set out to analyze the depth in someone’s game I don't want to know if they will hit the ball within three feet of the opponent's baseline, I want to see if they consciously USE depth to win the points.

Sometimes you want to hit a shorter ball; the drop shot of course being the most extreme example. What makes a drop shot different from other shots played in a baseline rally is the lack of.................. DEPTH, right!

Another example of a shot that requires some 'lack of depth' is the angled shot. When the opponent hits a shot that takes you to the side line or the alley, often it's a good idea to go for a cross court shot that will have its first bounce near the side line in the service box and the second bounce on the court next to you (or in the fence! ;- )

I once saw two other examples of good lack of depth in a match between Kafelnikov and Henman.

Kafelnikov was playing backhand slice shots cross court to Henman's backhand, but not too deep. He was trying to lure the Englishman into a position at the net. (=1) Now you may wonder why someone would like to have Tim Henman at the net since that's one of his better qualities. Well, Yevgeni had a plan! Henman tried to go down the line with his backhand approach shot a couple of times but that day Kafelnikov's forehand passing was absolutely brilliant.

So Henman decided to attack using a cross court approach to Kafelnikov's weaker backhand. The problem with this was that he had to move in really fast to cover the down-the-line shot at his forehand side. Kafelnikov would notice this and play an angled not to deep cross court passing shot. (=2) In other words he didn't try to keep Henman away from the net, but made him come in on his own terms.

Other situations suitable to play a not so deep shot:

You played a really deep shot to one corner; you play your next shot shorter (but not a drop shot or an angled shot) in the other corner.
Your opponent is standing 6 feet (or more) behind the baseline, because you usually hit really deep and/or with a lot of topspin; you alternate with a low ball that bounces before the opponent's service line.

Okay that's all for now. Why don't you do some experimenting Next time I will be answering some questions I keep getting on questions about technique that are the most frequently asked.

Mark Luyk 18 Tennis Tips

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