How to play against a hard hitter

Everyone has faced that opponent who hits everything. High balls, medium balls, even balls they should not: they swing big, and when they connect there is nothing you can do. It feels hopeless, but hard hitters have a clear weakness, and a good game plan is often enough to turn the match around.

This guide shows how to think about playing against a hard hitter, from the serve to the block, including the mental side.

What a hitter needs

Players who rely on power depend on a few conditions to hit:

• High balls, above the net, so they can hit down.
• Medium, spinless balls they can hit flat without fear.
• Time to get set and prepare the stroke.
• A predictable rhythm, so their timing is right.

If you give them those balls, they will hit, and they will make plenty. If you take those conditions away, they have to take bigger risks, and errors follow.

The plan in 6 points

1. Keep the ball low

A low ball gives no angle for a smash. Low pushes, short serves, blocks that skim the net: all of these force the hitter to lift the ball before they can hit it.

2. Use heavy backspin

Hitting flat into heavy backspin sends the ball into the net. A heavy, low push forces your opponent to loop, which many hitters do poorly. Mix in light pushes to confuse them.

3. Aim at the body

Hitters love balls with space, away from the body. A ball to the elbow of the racket arm forces a forehand-or-backhand decision and cramps the swing.

4. Change the pace

One fast ball, one slow. One deep, one short. Changes of pace are the worst enemy of anyone who relies on timing. The drop shot and a soft, absorbing block work very well here.

5. Block firm and close to the table

When they hit, do not back up too far or try to hit back hard. Stay close, close your racket, keep your wrist firm and just redirect the ball using its own speed. A well-placed block, to the opposite side or the middle, makes the hitter run. Against very hard balls, a soft block (slightly relaxed grip) sends the ball back short and breaks their rhythm.

6. Attack first when you can

The best defense against a hitter is not letting them hit first. If their serve or return comes up a little high, attack yourself. Players used to attacking often defend poorly.

Serve and return

• Serve short and low, with backspin or no-spin. A long, spinless serve is exactly the gift the hitter is waiting for.
• Serve long only as a surprise, fast and into the body.
• On the return, keep it short and low when you can, or push heavy and long to their weaker corner.

Serve patterns are covered in serve and third ball.

The mental side

Playing a hard hitter is uncomfortable. Balls fly past and you feel the urge to answer in kind. Resist it:

• Do not get into a power contest if that is not your game.
• Accept losing some points. They will hit some incredible shots. What matters is how many they miss.
• Count their errors, not just their winners. The score often shows the plan is working.
• Breathe between points and stick to the plan. More tips in the mental game.

Drills

1. Block vs attack: your partner hits hard forehands, you block with a closed racket to alternating targets.
2. Low pushes: a push rally where the ball cannot rise more than a hand's width over the net.
3. Rhythm: in a rally, alternate one fast ball and one slow ball every shot.

Frequently asked questions