Certified Pro Instructor
Justin Sabourin (right)
Court One Lansing
offers PRO TIP of The Month
How to Defeat the Pusher:
A pusher is a defensive player who "pushes" back any shot they can chase down, without deliberately hitting a winner. They can angle shots, aim deep, as well as produce effective lobs. Pushers are extremely quick and consistent, rarely making errors.
Patience! and truthfully a ton of it when you play an annoying pusher! In this tip I will provide you with a few ideas to beat the pusher by focusing on playing smart and patient.
So, what is the key to playing a pusher? You have to be patient, and wait for that right time to attack Sometimes it’s a good idea not to give the pusher any pace, because they like pace. Try hitting the ball back with a lot of height under it just like they did and wait for a shorter ball to attack. If you have a good net game and are comfortable with a swinging volley this can be a huge advantage against a pusher. Also if you learn to move smoothly and gracefully on the court, they might struggle to hit balls to your weaker side, and that’s where you might find your opportunity to go on the offensive. Keep in mind, this also applies to your serve. If they are blocking your big serve back and keeping you from attacking with the next shot, try a slower serve with more spin. These change ups can create confusion and keep them from playing their usual push game.
In short, be willing to play high and slow, wait for the perfect time to attack, and whatever you do, avoid rushing! Don’t try to end points to early and play to safe targets to avoid missing wide. After all playing through the middle, and high to the backhand are simple strategies that really work against the pusher.
Coach Justin,
Court One Lansing MI
Defeating The Pusher