To attack a short ball in tennis, move forward early, hit it on the rise or at the top of the bounce, and send it deep to a corner or behind your opponent so they cannot recover. A short ball is any ball that lands inside or near the service line, and it is the most valuable ball you will receive in a rally. Most club players waste it by hitting a tentative, mid-court shot that gives the point back. In my coaching sessions this is one of the first tactical habits I fix, because the gain from converting short balls is so large.
This guide covers how I teach players to read the short ball, the three decisions that matter, the common errors, and four drills you can run with a partner.
Why the short ball matters
When your opponent hits short, they have pulled themselves out of position and given you two advantages. You are closer to the net, so you have a shorter distance to cover and more angles available. And you are hitting from inside the court, so your shot travels less distance and your opponent has less time to react.
The mistake I see most often is treating a short ball as a gift to be handled carefully. It is an opportunity, and it expires quickly. If you hesitate, your opponent recovers, and the next ball comes back deep.
Step 1: Read it early
Attacking begins before the ball bounces. Watch your opponent’s contact. If they hit off balance, from a stretched position, with a short backswing, or with a slice that lacks depth, the ball is likely to land short. Start moving forward as soon as you judge this, rather than waiting to see where it bounces.
I teach a simple cue: if the ball is going to bounce inside the service line, you should already be stepping in. Players who wait for the bounce to confirm it end up hitting off the back foot, with the ball dropping.
Step 2: Choose the right shot
Not every short ball should be hit as hard as possible. I ask players to choose between three options based on where they are standing and where the ball is.
The deep drive
If you are around the service line and the ball sits at a comfortable height, a firm drive deep to the corner is usually the best choice. Aim well inside the lines, roughly a racket-length from the sideline, and well beyond the service line. You are looking for depth first and pace second. A deep ball that lands near the baseline forces a defensive reply, and that reply often gives you a volley or an easy next ball.
The approach shot
If you are inside the service line with a ball you can take above the net, hit an approach shot and follow it in. The key is to hit down the line or deep to the open court, then close to the net behind the ball. A common error is hitting the approach and then staying on the baseline, which gives away the benefit. If the ball is low or bouncing awkwardly, a slice approach that stays low is often safer than a topspin drive.
The angle or drop shot
If your opponent is deep behind the baseline and far from the net, a short angle can win the point outright. I use this selectively. It is a good choice when the opponent has recovered poorly and is already moving backward, and a poor one when they are fast and standing close to the baseline. Choose it when you have seen they are slow to move forward, not as a default.
Step 3: Direction and margin
The third decision is where to hit. With a short ball, you have a lot of court to aim at, and that tempts players to go for the lines. I coach the opposite. Hit to a target well inside the lines and give yourself margin over the net. The point is to hit a winner or force a weak reply, and a safe, deep shot achieves both more often than a line-hugging shot that misses.
As a general rule, I prefer to hit to the open court or behind the opponent, who is often moving the wrong way after recovering to the middle. If you are unsure, go crosscourt and deep, because the net is lowest at the centre and the court is longest on the diagonal. Once you have the opponent stretched, you can change direction on the next ball. I explore this kind of pattern thinking in my tactical drills for match IQ.
Common mistakes I see
Waiting for the ball to arrive
Players who stay on the baseline let the ball drop and then hit upward from a poor height. Move forward, and take the ball earlier, at the top of the bounce or just after it.
Swinging too hard
Adrenaline tells players to hit a winner. The result is a framed ball or a net error. A controlled swing with good footwork beats an over-hit swing almost every time.
Poor footwork on the final step
A short ball often arrives while you are still moving. I want the last step to set you up so the weight transfers into the shot. If you arrive late and reach, the stroke falls apart. If your contact point is also an issue, the steps in my forehand diagnostic checklist will help you find the cause.
Hitting and staying put
After a good approach, many players stop and watch. Hit the ball, then keep moving to cover the likely reply. The first volley or the next ground stroke is where the point is won.
Four drills to build the habit
Drill 1: Short-ball feed and finish
One player feeds a short ball from the net or service line to the other, who starts at the baseline. The hitter moves in, attacks deep to a target, and plays out the point. Do 10 balls, alternating forehand and backhand side, then swap. The aim is early movement, not power.
Drill 2: Rally and release
Two players rally crosscourt from the baseline. At any time, one of them hits a deliberate short ball. The other must recognise it, move in, and attack. This builds the reading skill, because the short ball arrives unannounced, as it does in a match.
Drill 3: Target zones
Mark a deep zone between the service line and baseline in each corner using cones or towels. From short-ball feeds, the player scores a point only when the ball lands in a zone. After 10 balls, count the score. This trains margin and depth, and quickly shows whether a player is hitting too flat or too short.
Drill 4: Approach and volley play
Feed a short ball, the hitter plays an approach shot, and the feeder tries to pass or lob. The hitter then plays out the point from the net. Play to 7 points, then rotate. This teaches players to follow the approach in, and to see how a decent approach shot makes the next ball easier.
Common questions about attacking the short ball
Should I always hit a winner off a short ball?
No. The goal is to gain control of the point. A deep, well-placed shot that forces a weak reply is often better than a risky winner attempt. Save the winner for when the opponent is clearly out of position.
What if the short ball is low?
Bend your knees, take the ball in front, and consider a slice or a lifted drive deep rather than a flat attack. Hitting hard from below net height is a low-percentage play.
How do I know when to come to the net?
Come in when you have hit a deep, well-directed approach, or when your opponent is clearly in trouble. If your approach was short or weak, stay back and rebuild the point.
Is this different in doubles?
The principle is the same, but the target changes. In doubles you often aim at the gap between the two opponents or at the feet of the net player, and you move forward as a pair.
Written by Tan Xu Teng (Coach XT), Head Tennis Coach and founder of TAG International Tennis Academy. Coach XT specializes in technical diagnostics, competitive player development, and modern coaching methodology in Singapore.