The Baseliner

A counterpuncher lets the opponent attack, keeps the ball coming back, and strikes when the opponent overreaches.

Source: General coaching reference (playing styles) · recall

The style depends on getting to the ball, so movement and reading the opponent come first.

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Against a hard hitter, a short, firm swing can send the incoming speed back without the need to generate it.

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Every extra ball asks the aggressor to take another risk, and errors follow.

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Because a counterpuncher is hard to beat from the back, opponents come forward, which is where the pass hurts them.

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A player built to defend may not step in and finish when the chance comes.

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Extra distance from the baseline gives extra time against pace, at the cost of court in front of them.

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The counterpuncher waits and defends, the aggressive baseliner dictates from the back, the serve-and-volleyer attacks the net at once.

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The counterpuncher survives the attack first and only strikes once the opponent has overreached.

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Defending deep and returning everything is the counterpuncher's game.

Source: General coaching reference (playing styles) · applied

The aggressive baseliner controls rallies from the baseline with pace and placement rather than at the net.

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Most aggressive baseliners build their game on the forehand and create chances to use it.

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Hitting big and early wins points outright but also produces misses.

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A player who keeps returning their best shots forces them to keep taking risks.

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Attacking only the right balls stops the counterpuncher from feeding on errors.

Source: General coaching reference (playing styles) · applied

A slow court takes the sting out of pace, so the aggressor needs more balls to win a point.

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If the second serve is weak, the opponent gets to dictate, which takes away the aggressor's game.

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Depth first, pressure second, then the step in and the finish.

Source: General coaching reference (playing styles) · recall

The aggressive baseliner tries to strike early; the counterpuncher waits the longest.

Source: General coaching reference (playing styles) · applied

Standing close and driving to the corners is how an aggressive baseliner dictates.

Source: General coaching reference (playing styles) · applied

Named after the squash stroke, it is a wristy forehand slice used when pulled far out wide.

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The slide turns the approach to the ball into the braking step, so recovery can start sooner.

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A 'get' is a retrieval: reaching and returning a ball the opponent thought was a winner.

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Distance gives time against a smash, and another lob keeps the point alive.

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Players move sideways all rally; the explosive first step forward is what decides whether they get there.

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The slice can be played at full stretch, and its floating flight gives the defender time to recover.

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If the obvious winner keeps coming back, the attacker tries for more, and errors follow.

Source: General coaching reference (playing styles) · applied

Distance first, then a split step at contact, then the reply.

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The read starts the sprint; the reply is only possible if the ball is reached in time.

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Standing deep gives the defender the most time against the smash.

Source: General coaching reference (playing styles) · applied

The pusher wins by consistency, not by hitting winners.

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A slow ball has no pace to borrow, so going for winners off it is a low-percentage choice.

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Patience avoids gifts, and the net takes away the pusher's main weapon, the slow rally.

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Met in the air, a floating ball can be attacked from a comfortable height instead of above the shoulder.

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At the net the pusher must finish points, which is the skill their style practises least.

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Playing the opponent's game on their terms suits the opponent.

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Frustration is the pusher's ally; accepting long rallies takes it away.

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Margin first, then the right ball to approach on, then the finish at the net.

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Going for a winner from deep is the riskiest; a deep, heavy ball is the safest.

Source: General coaching reference (playing styles) · applied

Soft, high, consistent balls from deep are the pusher's trademark.

Source: General coaching reference (playing styles) · applied