You’ve cracked a short ball, your opponent is scrambling—and now comes the decision that can turn a promising attack into a clean volley or a frantic sprint back to the baseline. Go down the line? Roll it crosscourt? Aim behind them? The right approach-shot direction isn’t a guessing game. It’s a quick read of where your opponent is, where they’re moving, and how much time you have to get forward.
That last part matters. A beautiful approach is not just a shot that lands near a line. It’s a shot that leaves your opponent with an awkward reply while giving you a sensible route to the net. Let’s break down how to make that choice with purpose.
Start With the Opponent’s Position, Not Your Favorite Shot
It’s tempting to choose your approach direction before you even arrive at the ball. Maybe your forehand down the line feels like a weapon, or you love carving a backhand crosscourt. But the opponent’s position should come first. Your preferred shot matters only if it suits the picture in front of you.
As you move toward the ball, take one quick snapshot: Is your opponent near the center, leaning to one side, or already moving? Then notice whether they’re balanced. A player who has just pushed off in the wrong direction is much easier to move again than one who is set and waiting.
- If they’re well to one side, consider attacking the space they’ve left—or making them change direction.
- If they’re near the center, use your approach angle to open the court without taking unnecessary risk.
- If they’re moving toward the side where you’re hitting, a shot behind them can be awkward.
- If they’re moving forward, think about passing over them with a controlled lob or making them hit a difficult low ball.
Keep it simple: the aim is not always to hit the most distant corner. It’s to make the opponent’s next shot uncomfortable while keeping your own approach safe enough to follow in.
When Your Opponent Is Pulled Wide
When your opponent is stranded near a sideline, the open court looks like a giant invitation. Sometimes it is. But the obvious open space isn’t automatically the best target. A sharp crosscourt approach can give your opponent a comfortable angle to pass you, especially if you approach slowly or leave the ball sitting up.
One option is to go behind them. If they’re leaning or running toward the sideline, a firm shot back toward the middle can force them to stop, turn, and recover. That change of direction often matters more than adding another few feet to the angle. It can also give you a clearer view of the opponent’s reply as you close in.
The other option is to attack into the open court. Choose this when you have enough time to get behind the ball and hit with good balance. Aim with margin rather than trying to paint the sideline. If your shot is too short or too central, you may have opened the court without putting the opponent under real pressure.
How to choose between the open court and behind them
-
Choose behind them if they’re still moving outward, stretched, or off balance.
-
Choose the open court if they’ve stopped and recovered toward the middle.
-
Choose the safer, higher-margin route if you’re reaching or hitting from below net height.
Imagine a short ball pulling your opponent wide to their forehand side. If they’re sprinting toward the sideline, hitting behind them toward the middle may make them reverse direction before they can pass. If they’ve already planted and are balanced, the open court may be available—but your approach must be deep enough to stop them from taking a comfortable swing.
When Your Opponent Is Near the Center
A centered opponent is harder to fool with a simple direction change. They can cover either side, so the quality and shape of your approach become especially important. Instead of obsessing over the sideline, try to make them move enough to create a passing angle you can read.
If you approach crosscourt, you may draw them wider and leave yourself more space to cover the line. That can be a useful pattern when you can hit a controlled ball with depth. The trade-off: crosscourt approaches can give your opponent a sharper angle to pass you, so avoid drifting too close to the net before you know where the ball is going.
A down-the-line approach can be effective when you have a good position and can hit through the court. It tends to create a more direct path toward the net, but the ball travels over the shorter part of the net? No—down the line is usually over the higher section of the net, so give yourself extra margin and avoid forcing the shot from a stretched position. Its big reward is that it can limit the opponent’s crosscourt passing angle.
Classic attacking patterns show why both directions can work. A player may use a crosscourt ball to pull an opponent off the court, then attack behind them on the next shot. Or they may drive down the line to take away the easiest crosscourt pass. The useful lesson isn’t to copy a particular pro’s favorite pattern. It’s to notice how the shot changes the opponent’s next movement.
When Your Opponent Is Already Moving
Movement gives you information. If your opponent has started toward one side before you strike, you may have a chance to send the ball behind them. But don’t confuse “they moved” with “they’re committed.” Good players can recover quickly, and a late change of direction can leave you with a weak approach if you overreach for a risky target.
Watch their hips and outside foot, not just their first step. If their weight is already traveling toward the sideline, a ball behind them can make them brake and turn. If they’ve only taken a small adjustment step and remain balanced, a wide ball may be the more reliable choice.
There’s a catch: disguising your shot by waiting too long can cost you time at the net. Make your read early, commit to a sensible target, and move forward under control. An approach shot is only half the play. You need enough time and balance to handle the volley or the passing shot that follows.
Use Your Own Position to Set the Direction
Your opponent’s position is the headline, but your contact point is the supporting evidence. If you’re balanced and meeting the ball in front, you can change direction more confidently. If you’re stretched, late, or contacting below net height, favor a higher-margin target and a shot that buys you time.
For example, a short ball in the middle gives you a chance to choose either side. From a stable position, you might drive deep behind a centered opponent. If you’re scrambling, a controlled crosscourt approach with plenty of net clearance may be much smarter than trying to thread the sideline.
Also consider what your opponent hits well. If their strongest passing shot is crosscourt, an approach that invites that shot may be a poor tactical choice—even if it looks geometrically attractive. A player with a dangerous forehand pass may be less comfortable hitting a backhand on the run. Use the approach direction to test the weaker reply, but don’t assume everyone has the same weakness.
Quick Direction Guide
| Opponent’s position or movement | Approach direction to consider | Why it can work | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far to one side and still moving outward | Behind them, often toward the middle | Forces a stop, turn, and change of direction | Don’t leave the ball short and easy to attack |
| Far to one side but balanced and recovering | Into the open court | Uses the space they have left | Allow margin; a sharp angle may invite a sharp pass |
| Near the center and set | A controlled angle that draws them off balance | Creates movement before they can pass | A central, short approach gives them too many options |
| Leaning or moving toward one side | Behind them, if you can hit safely | Uses their existing momentum against them | Read their balance, not just their first step |
| Moving forward to take your shot early | A controlled ball at their feet, or a lob if they close in | Makes them hit up or adjust their position | Don’t try a delicate touch shot without time and balance |
Depth, Height, and Pace Change the Direction’s Value
Two approaches aimed at the same spot can create completely different problems. A deep, firm ball may push the opponent back and give you time to close. A short, floaty ball may sit up and invite a pass. When you’re approaching, depth is often more valuable than pinpoint accuracy.
Use enough height over the net to protect yourself, especially when you’re hitting from behind the baseline or below net level. A lower ball can be harder to attack, but trying to skim the tape under pressure is a risky way to start your move forward. A ball with safe net clearance and good depth often gives you a better chance to reach the service line under control.
Think about the surface, too. On a slower court, your approach may give the opponent more time, so direction and depth need to work together. On a faster surface, even a modestly angled ball can rush the reply. There is no single ideal approach direction for every court or every player—adjust to how much time your shot actually takes away.
A Simple Three-Question Decision
Don’t turn every short ball into a mental spreadsheet. Ask yourself three quick questions while you move:
-
Where is my opponent right now? Note the space they’ve left and whether they’re balanced.
-
Which way are they moving? A shot behind a committed opponent can be more effective than simply hitting to the widest point.
-
Can I hit this target and still get forward in control? If the answer is no, choose a safer direction, add depth, or wait for a better ball.
That final question is crucial. If you hit a risky winner attempt and can’t recover, you haven’t really made a good approach—even if the ball lands where you aimed. Your shot and your movement need to belong to the same plan.
Common Approach-Direction Mistakes
-
Always going to the open court: It can be predictable and may give the opponent a clean angle. Mix in the ball behind them when their movement makes it available.
-
Always going down the line: The line can be a smart target, but it often requires more precision. Don’t force it from a stretched or low contact point.
-
Hitting too close to the sideline: A small miss can hand over the point, while a deep ball with margin may still produce a weak reply.
-
Charging in before reading the play: Move forward with purpose, but stay ready to split-step and respond. The opponent’s position can change during your shot.
-
Trying to hit a winner instead of an approach: Your goal is often to earn a manageable first volley, not finish the point immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I usually approach crosscourt or down the line?
Neither direction is automatically best. Crosscourt can pull your opponent wider, while down the line can reduce their easiest crosscourt passing angle. Choose based on their position, your balance, and the quality of the ball you can produce.
When is it smart to hit behind my opponent?
It’s especially useful when they’re moving toward a sideline or leaning strongly one way. The change of direction can force them to brake and turn. If they’re balanced and waiting, the shot may not catch them off guard.
Where should I aim if I’m stretched or off balance?
Favor a safer target with good net clearance and depth rather than aiming close to a line. If you can’t approach under control, a defensive shot that keeps you in the point may be wiser than forcing a forward move.
How far should I move in after hitting the approach?
Move forward promptly, but stay balanced and ready to split-step before your opponent contacts the ball. Your exact position depends on how deep and wide your approach is, and how much time it gives you to close.
Final Thoughts
The best approach direction is the one that turns your opponent’s position into a problem. If they’re moving wide, consider sending the ball behind them. If they’re centered, use a controlled angle to make them move. If they’re already leaning, test the space their momentum has left behind. And if you’re stretched or late, protect your margin instead of trying to paint a line.
Next time you get a short ball, take that quick snapshot before you swing. See the opponent, read the movement, choose a target you can reach with control—and get ready for the next shot. That’s how a simple approach becomes a smart one.
