Approach Shot Strategy Beyond the Slice¶
A superset of Slice Approach — The Senior-Friendly Way to the Net, covering the full approach-shot decision tree.
Why This Matters¶
The site's existing Slice Approach content covers one excellent, low-impact way to approach net. But "approach shot" is a broader tactical category, and knowing when a flat/topspin approach, swinging volley, or serve-and-volley beats the slice approach rounds out your net game instead of giving you one tool for every situation.
Core Concepts¶
The approach-shot decision tree. Ball height and depth at the moment you're approaching determine the right shot: a low or skidding ball favors the slice (already well covered on this site); a shoulder-high or short ball favors a flat or topspin approach, hit with pace and depth to follow behind; a very short, sitting ball can be taken as a swinging volley approach, closing even faster than a standard groundstroke approach allows.
Serve-and-volley and chip-and-charge are approach-shot tactics in their own right, not just retro curiosities. Serve-and-volley on a well-placed first serve, or chipping a return and following it in against a weak second serve, both apply approach-shot principles (depth, direction, splitting on the opponent's shot) before the point has even become a groundstroke rally.
Surface and split-step timing matter as much as shot selection. Faster surfaces reward more approach attempts since the opponent has less time to pass; on any surface, splitting your feet exactly as the opponent makes contact (not before, not after) is what actually determines whether the first volley is comfortable or rushed — the approach shot only sets up the point, the split step wins it.
Action Steps¶
- Practice reading ball height before choosing the approach shot — treat "always slice the approach" as one tool among three or four, selected by the ball you're given.
- Add one serve-and-volley or chip-and-charge point per practice set specifically against a weaker second serve, to build comfort with committing forward before the rally develops.
- Drill the split-step timing separately from the approach shot itself — many missed first volleys are a timing problem, not a technique problem.
Common Mistakes¶
- Using the same approach shot (usually slice) regardless of ball height, when a shoulder-high ball calls for a different tool.
- Approaching without committing to the split-step timing, arriving at net already off-balance.
- Treating serve-and-volley/chip-and-charge as outdated rather than as situational tools that are especially effective against weaker servers or returners.
Quick Reference¶
| Ball You Receive | Best Approach Option |
|---|---|
| Low or skidding | Slice approach (see Slice Approach Coaching Guide) |
| Shoulder-high / short | Flat or topspin approach with depth |
| Very short, sitting | Swinging volley approach |
| Weak opponent 2nd serve | Chip-and-charge |
| Strong own 1st serve | Serve-and-volley |
Sources¶
Drawn from the Approach Shot chapter of Absolute Tennis by Marty Smith (full decision tree, surface dependence, split-step positioning at net).