Dominate the Grass Court: Why Moving Forward to the Net is Non-Negotiable

On many tennis surfaces, the baseline is a comfortable home. You can trade groundstrokes, absorb pace, and wait for your moment to attack. On a grass court, however, staying glued to the baseline is often a losing strategy.

Why? Because grass is fast, and the ball stays low. This combination makes it incredibly difficult to consistently hit winning groundstrokes from deep in the court, especially against another aggressive player. The moment you hit a slightly short ball, you’re vulnerable.

This is precisely why aggressive net play is not just a tactic on grass—it’s a core philosophy. You must be actively be moving forward to the net and finishing points at the net.

The Grass Court Advantage of Net Play

Think about the unique characteristics of grass:

• Speed: The ball zips through the court. If you hit an approach shot, it reaches the baseline quicker, giving your opponent less time to react.
• Low Bounce: An approach shot hit with a slice (our Tip #4) will skid, making it very hard for your opponent to hit a passing shot. They’ll have to hit up to clear the net, often resulting in a pop-up you can easily volley.
• Short Points: As we discussed in Tip #3, points on grass are short. Moving to the net is one of the most effective ways to dictate that the point will be short and on your terms.

By moving forward, you cut down the angles, apply immense pressure on your opponent, and take away their time to set up for a strong passing shot.

The Classic Grass Court Play: The “Chip-and-Charge”

This isn’t just a nostalgic term for old-school pros; it’s a highly effective modern grass-court tactic.

The “chip-and-charge” involves:

1. A Slice/Chip Approach Shot: You hit a low, skidding slice (either a return of serve or an approach shot from the baseline) that lands deep in your opponent’s court. This shot’s low bounce forces them to hit up.
2. Immediate Forward Movement: As soon as you hit that approach shot, you run aggressively to the net, aiming to split-step around the service line. You are forcing the issue.
3. The Finishing Volley: Because your opponent is forced to hit up on the ball, it usually results in a floaty reply that sits up perfectly for you to put away with a volley.

Why it works: Your slice approach buys you time to get to the net, while simultaneously creating a difficult shot for your opponent. You’ve turned a potential rally into a dominant “first-strike” opportunity.

When to Charge the Net (and When Not To)

You don’t just run to the net blindly. There are specific opportunities you should be looking for:

• Short Balls: Any ball that lands inside your service line is an immediate green light to move forward. Take it on the rise if you can.
• Weak Returns of Serve: If your opponent gives you a short, floating return, follow your next shot to the net.
• Your Strong Serve: If you hit a powerful serve that jams your opponent or pulls them wide, follow it in. This is the classic “serve-and-volley” play.
• When Your Opponent is Off-Balance: If you’ve moved them wide or they’re clearly struggling with their footing, hit an approach and come in.

When NOT to Charge: Don’t come in off a deep, slow groundstroke that gives your opponent ample time to set up. Also, avoid charging off a weak shot where you are still scrambling to get into position. You need to hit a quality approach shot to give yourself the best chance.

Practice Your Approach and Volley

This strategy requires two things: a solid approach shot (often a slice) and confident volleys.

• Approach Shot Practice: Drill hitting controlled, deep approach shots, focusing on getting forward quickly after contact.
• Volley Confidence: Practice your volleys relentlessly (this will be our next tip!). You need to feel comfortable putting away balls from various heights and angles at the net.

Moving forward to the net isn’t just an option on grass; it’s a fundamental element of successful play. Embrace the aggressive mindset, look for your chances, and you’ll find yourself winning a lot more points on this beautiful surface.

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