7 Ways to Beat the Ogre at the Net
Here are some simple ideas to take away the fire from the ogre at the net;
1. Hit down the ogre’s alley early in the match
Nothing disturbs the ogre more than seeing a ball zip down her alley early in the match. “How dare she do that to me!” grimaces the ogre. Hopefully, the ogre will think twice about poaching when the score is close at the end of a set.
2. Use the Lob
Use the lob to keep the ogre further away from the net. Keeping the ogre back from the net now opens up more room for you to drive the ball.
3. Hit the return on the rise
Master hitting on the rise and the ogre will have less time to react to your return. The ball will now pass the ogre at the net before she even has time to growl!
4. Bring your partner back to the baseline
When both players play back the ogre gets confused because she has no immediate target close in front of her. Playing both back tends to change the ogre’s shot selection, tempting her to now angle more or hit back to the baseline. However, if the ogre continues to dominate at the net, your partner is now safer at the baseline and has more time to react.
5. Hit an angled return
The ogre has to cover more court to poach an angled shot. Use a low, angled, crosscourt slice or topspin angle.
6. Keep the return lower
Keeping the return lower is risky because your chances of hitting the ball into the net increase. Put this strategy low on your list of options.
7. Mix It Up
Mix up all of the above strategies. The ogre will be totally confused!
© Greg Fowler