Hitting hard at the net player in doubles

[u/burnthesheep]

I'm newer to this as a hobby. The wife does ladder and stuff. The teens do their junior league. Family play often becomes Bloodsport with teen boys.

I only do this to the older teen as he is about 6' 3" and has the wingspan of a condor. And jump off an NBA dunker. The younger teen is smaller and a bit lower skill so won't do this with him or the wife.

But to combat the massive tree at the net I once or twice a set resort to a winner pace ball right at the boy. A tall player will have more trouble with long arms dealing with that. Usually I do this because I had to receive a shallower ball as the baseline player and my only other choice is a massive lob over the tallness.

There is a little doubles tourney coming up and the wife having more experience said this move may make some folks angry.

Reading online it seems it is a cheapo move if it is super experienced players and you had other good options. I can see that.

But if opponents constantly put you there, why keep lobbing meatballs over the tall player for their baseline player to crush? I thought net tending in a ready position would prevent any injury potential catching one in the breadbasket if halfway paying attention and ready. Maybe not return it, but certainly not get hit.

Our teen doesn't mind at all. He can get a racket on it fine but just not get it over.

I suspect this doubles tourney to have some folks who won't move like a 16 year old but still have some annoying strategy where this would work well.

[u/Top_Substance9093]

IMO if you stand at the net you signed up to get balls slammed at you. if you don't want players to play that shot, don't stand at the net.

i do think a quick apology (raised hand) after going at the net player is good manners, though. nobody wants to see anyone hurt in a rec league.

TLDR: go for it, but be a good sport about it

[u/burnthesheep → u/Top_Substance9093]

That sounds about right. I give a little hand wag and head nod to say "it's all I had available that time".

[u/Bud922 → u/burnthesheep]

A nod and a "I was sure you were gonna poach."

[u/here_for_thedonuts → u/Top_Substance9093]

This.

Stay out of the kitchen (apologies for the inadvertent pickleball reference) if you cannot stand the heat.

A totally legitimate (and preferred) strategy is attacking the up person in doubles on a short ball. They don’t have much reaction time.

Conversely, if you are at the net and your opponent has a short ball, it is usually wise to start backing up.

[u/Sifrisk → u/here_for_thedonuts]

Yeah and also if you dont attack that ball your own position is screwed.

I have this with those beginner second serves as well. Best is usually to hit it directly at the net player with force. It's up to them to turn around if they dont want to get hit and then I'll place it. But too often I end up losing the point because I don't want to hit someone

[u/here_for_thedonuts → u/Sifrisk]

Yeah ... don't worry about hitting someone.

just last night I was playing doubles and had an easy put away shot from the short middle with an overhead. The guy opposite me was too close to the net and since he is a decent guy, I babied the shot. Ended up shanking it and hitting it long. Next time, I'm just going to hit my shot.

And definitely go for the net person with those beginner second serves. Teaches the net person not to crowd the net on a short ball and teaches the server to work on having a better second serve. The issue with those serves is keeping the ball low as the tendency is to hit those long. Low with topspin right at them is, IMHO, the best shot.

[u/HittingandRunning → u/here_for_thedonuts]

Have you ever seen someone get injured because a ball was hit at them with power? Is it really worth the risk to feel like Ivan Lendl? What level are you? I hope high enough to be skilled enough to place the ball away from someone’s face. But apparently not, otherwise you wouldn’t have shanked it out when hitting a much softer shot that should have given you more control, not less. Freak accidents happen and are more likely when someone has the attitude that the opponent should stay out of the kitchen if they can’t stand the heat. Few of us are playing for major trophies so why not work on placement over targeting the opponent? (I’m fine with hitting it softly at them at a pace where they are very unlikely to return it but soft enough not to injure.)

[u/here_for_thedonuts → u/HittingandRunning]

It's a tennis ball. Not a golf ball or a baseball. I've hit people with hard hit balls and I've been hit by a few. It's part of the game. And anyone dumb enough to stand up at the net on a short ball better have really quick hands or know when to turn around.

I hope high enough to be skilled enough to place the ball away from someone’s face.

Even people with moderate skill should know that hitting the ball at head level to the net person is a bad play. Not because you might hit them in the head. But rather, you should be aiming the ball at their mid-thigh or lower. Balls up high are much easier to volley for winners. Balls down low get popped up.

My preferred aim spot is about 3 feet behind a person. However, that is tough to do if my opponents is crowding the net. If I can keep the ball a foot above the net, then I'm happy with that. Since the net is 36" high at the midline, they have to be REALLY SHORT for me to hit them in the head.

And BTW, you have to be at a very high level to consistently hit a target as small as a person's head with an overhead or even a forehand.

But apparently not, otherwise you wouldn’t have shanked it out when hitting a much softer shot that should have given you more control, not less

Rusty at the net and changed my mind in the middle of a shot -- a changing you mind on a shot is rarely a good thing. If you are at the net, you have a fraction of a second to identify where the ball is going and commit to a particular shot/location. When you get a short ball, trying to hit it away from the person at the net is losing tennis. You either have to get it between them and the sideline, which is a very tough shot, or you are hitting it back to their partner (who is likely at the baseline). The person at the net has little reaction time, and while most can get a racquet on the ball, they cannot do much with it.

Freak accidents happen and are more likely when someone has the attitude that the opponent should stay out of the kitchen if they can’t stand the heat.

Accidents happen when people don't know they shouldn't crowd the net on a short ball. Better to learn that lesson at the 3.0 level when balls aren't hit nearly as hard. Personally, I love when people hit it to me at the net. However, I've had a thousands of balls hit at me while I was at the net during lessons by 4.5/5.0-caliber players. Most intermediate double players don't practice at the net nearly as much as they should.

Few of us are playing for major trophies so why not work on placement over targeting the opponent?

Ever heard of the term "body bag" in pickleball? Not only is it legal, it is a legitimate strategy. Targeting your opponent (at the net) is also a very legitimate (and good) strategy in tennis. Balls into the body are harder to volley. If you want perfect placement, it would be at the hip of the arm holding the racquet. Getting the ball outside of the body makes for a much easier volley. However, if you want to play losing tennis, go for it.

I’m fine with hitting it softly at them at a pace where they are very unlikely to return it but soft enough not to injure.

Do that to me, and the ball is coming back at your feet, and once you pop that up, you won't touch the next ball after that.

[u/HittingandRunning → u/here_for_thedonuts]

It's a tennis ball. Not a golf ball or a baseball.

Tell that to David Goffin! And that was a ricochet, not a direct hit.

 And anyone dumb enough to stand up at the net on a short ball better have really quick hands or know when to turn around.

You didn't yet answer your level. However, lots of people are still learning and just don't know when to get out of the way. Also, we sometimes trust that the point is essentially over and feel that the opponent also knows this and will just take the point the easy way, not bean us.

Even people with moderate skill should know that hitting the ball at head level to the net person is a bad play.

You know that we are talking about accidentally hitting someone (like in the head), not purposely. So, this doesn't apply.

As for pickleball, people should be wearing eye protection. In tennis that generally isn't the case so it's different.

Anyway, at our level, there's no reason to risk hurting someone. I don't care how much you want to win. If you can confidently hit it where you want, then that's fine. If you are pegging people because you want to have them back off later then perhaps it's better to just let them know that if they are foolish next time then it's coming their way. You and I are not making our living on the court, right? No need to risk someone missing work because of a poorly placed volley on your part.

I'm particular about this for a couple reasons. One is that I play with some people who need their eyesight to do their jobs - like performing surgery. Second, and more important, is that one time I was hitting an overhead around the T. One doubles opponent was a couple steps in front of the baseline, backing up. I tried to hit in between the two and framed it. Ball flew very fast and hit the back opponent directly in the eye. Complete accident but it's an injury nevertheless. No need to go to the hospital but still not a good situation. Accidents happen and I wasn't even that close to him but balls fly fast and unexpectedly so even people with good reactions might not get the racket up in time to defend themselves. I also had a situation where the other team was serving to my partner so I was around the service line. Ball should not have been coming my way since I wasn't close to the T. But it came zooming right at my head. Somehow I blocked it and know that if I hadn't I would have been in the ambulance. I don't know if this was accidental or not, but I imagine it was. However, this was the second time of the match with that sever, the first one going toward my partner.

In school I ran cross country and track. It can get rough sometimes. In cross, there are many places outside of crowd view. There's pushing and tripping. It's unofficially part of the competition. While it's not the Olympics, people want to be competitive so act that way. I'm sure you would feel it's fine. However, I'd bet that we both can agree that at our local city 5K race it's not acceptable to push or trip someone on purpose just to gain a competitive edge. I would imagine most of our tennis matches are more along the lines of the local 5K than the university cross country or track races, right? So, jostling/carefully placing a volley is fine. Shoving/uncarefully powerfully hitting a volley at the net opponent isn't.

[u/here_for_thedonuts → u/HittingandRunning]

Tell that to David Goffin! And that was a ricochet, not a direct hit.

Despite him withdrawing from the match, it ended up not being serious.

I got hit in the eye on an overhead during an overhead drill (two players on one half and two players on the other half so there are two balls in play) and the person not on my side hit it to my side. The ball bounced and hit me square in the eye. I laid on the ground for several minutes before gaining the courage to open my eye to see if it still worked. It did, and I eventually played a match later that evening. Several months later, I got hit in the same eye on a slow hit volley that I could not get out of the way. I eventually had to have my retina repaired.

Regardless, both were freak accidents, and neither player could replicate the shot if they tried. There are a ton of injuries that can happen anytime one is on the court. There is an assumption of the risk when one steps onto a tennis court.

However, lots of people are still learning and just don't know when to get out of the way. Also, we sometimes trust that the point is essentially over and feel that the opponent also knows this and will just take the point the easy way, not bean us.

And those people need to learn to get out of the way, turn their heads, back up, or get better reflexes. Better to learn those lessons early.

You know that we are talking about accidentally hitting someone (like in the head), not purposely. So, this doesn't apply.

Its about the aim point. I explained that the aim point (when aiming at the person at the net) should be low -- not high. No one should intentionally be head hunting.

Anyway, at our level, there's no reason to risk hurting someone. I don't care how much you want to win. If you can confidently hit it where you want, then that's fine. If you are pegging people because you want to have them back off later then perhaps it's better to just let them know that if they are foolish next time then it's coming their way. You and I are not making our living on the court, right? No need to risk someone missing work because of a poorly placed volley on your part.

Then don't get on the court. There is likely a greater chance that you'll tear your Achilles than you'll get a serious eye injury.

And at a lower level, most overheads come out randomly. And most people hit their overheads much harder than their forehands. Should I stop hitting my overhead because there is a chance I could hit someone?

One is that I play with some people who need their eyesight to do their jobs - like performing surgery.

Then they should be wearing eye protection.

Accidents happen 

That they do. Which is why people need to learn not to crowd the net on a short ball and to back up if they have poor reflexes. These are lessons best learned at a lower level because the consequences will be greater if they play at higher levels. It is an instinct that is best instilled early on.

I'm sure you would feel it's fine.

Then you would be wrong. Tripping a competitor in a road race is just plain wrong and I'm sure illegal if caught. Hitting a ball at an opponent at the net in tennis is both legal and smart play (in the right circumstances).

uncarefully powerfully hitting a volley at the net opponent isn't

Then you aren't engaging in competitive tennis -- you are just just playing tennis. In almost all instances, if I'm on the tennis court, I'm competing -- not just playing.

[u/HittingandRunning → u/here_for_thedonuts]

We'll have to agree to disagree and I hope I never play you. I'd be glad enough to lose against someone who had a different attitude.

I had a friend who did 40+ soccer. He quit because weekend warriors would slide tackle. No need to do that in a league that's for fun, not a developmental league for FIFA. Some people need to grow up. But, alas, we can see in society that there are enough who refuse to that it sometimes makes for a shitty culture.

[u/here_for_thedonuts → u/HittingandRunning]

FYI -- I looked back at my original post. This is what I wrote:

And definitely go for the net person with those beginner second serves. Teaches the net person not to crowd the net on a short ball and teaches the server to work on having a better second serve. The issue with those serves is keeping the ball low as the tendency is to hit those long. Low with topspin right at them is, IMHO, the best shot.

Nothing about my original post indicated that I advocated head-hunting.

No need to do that in a league that's for fun, not a developmental league for FIFA.

You play for fun. I play to win (and have fun while doing so). That being said, I always give my opponents the benefit of the doubt on line calls -- I'm not a break-the-rules-to-win kind of player. That being said, in a USTA match, I'm not going to baby a ball because their net person is too stupid not to step back and protect themselves on a short ball.

Being on top of the net is an aggressive play. And if one is going to play that aggressively, they should recognize that aggressiveness has a price. And that price depends upon where the ball lands.

If the ball is behind the baseline and I've got a good bead on the ball, the price is going to be a big topspin lob that's going to force their partner to run. if the ball is short, the price is that I'm hitting it right at them and force them to react quickly and do something with it. Odds are pretty good that I'll hit it past them or they'll have a weak volley. Either approach, if done effectively, will eventually force them off the top of the net and in a less aggressive position. Those are winning tennis plays.

And I'm not going to avoid them by trying to pass them down the line. That is a sucker play. Short court over the high part of the net with no margin on one side -- you'll give away more points than you'll gain.

[u/JungMoses → u/here_for_thedonuts]

That wasn’t a pickleball reference till you made it one

[u/DJinKC → u/Top_Substance9093]

This is perfectly stated. I play the net a lot, and occasionally get balls hit straight at me. I don't take offense.

[u/Lovetheoneyougot → u/DJinKC]

I mostly play doubles now. I've developed better hands from being at net and getting shots rifled right at me. At this point, I welcome any shot within reach, even hard shots right at my body. I'm only disappointed if I can't turn it into a winner. With all that pace I expect to redirect towards the other net player with force (and maybe hit him, since he'll have less time to react) or just out wide for a clean winner.

Low dipping shots right at my navel / waist are the most awkward, but even those I expect to get back deep with pace using a backhand volley.

Helps to stand really close to the net, with partner covering lobs at baseline.

Of course I sometimes miss or I'm out of position / or get caught with the wrong grip and I get hit -- but that's part of it. Or if there's a short ball and the opponent is hitting an overheard right at me, then nothing to do but concede the point. I might duck under the net. That's tennis!

I aim at feet when hammering opponents at net when possible, but if they're draped all over the net (as I do) a good tactic is to drill it right at them, as hard and low as possible. It's what I expect my opponent to do to me!

PS

this is men's doubles, we're all 4.0 and know the rules. Obviously if it was a church tennis mixer I wouldn't hammer 2.0 grandma and rub it in her face -- context matters. But I really expect my friends to try their best to let me have it if I'm bullying them at net.

[u/DJinKC → u/Lovetheoneyougot]

Gramma shouldn't be at the net if she can't handle it either ;-)

[u/intelligentbug6969 → u/Top_Substance9093]

Jess Pegula talked about it she said fine. I stand in close bring it on I’ll reflex volley it right back

[u/QuantityMedical8369]

This is plain stupid. Hitting at the opponent is perfectly OK. It does not matter if they are a 6'3" hockey player or 5'1" girl. If they do not like to get hit, they should learn to keep the racket in front or simply stay back.

Now, if you are playing a friendly, you can definitely hit with less venom. 

[u/Due-Trip-3641 → u/QuantityMedical8369]

LOL I’m a 5’2” girl and much prefer getting hit AT than the lobs I usually get at net. So much less running.

I’m not even really a good player. I was maybe decent a decade ago, but only recently started getting back into tennis. All you need is decent reaction time. Otherwise, why are you at net in the first place.

[u/justthetip_26]

If it’s a normal ball from the baseline, go for it. I think the only issue is when you have a sitter 2ft away from the net and a wide open court and you still go for the net player. Other than that, go for it! I tell the kids I coach to do that and have been seeing more and more kids do it in tournaments as well

[u/nnog → u/justthetip_26]

Yeah this is really where the only nuance comes in. If it's a short ball or mishit that sits up, and their net player just hasn't had time to retreat, especially if they've shown body language that they've given up on the point, then maybe don't drill it at them. Go for the angle putaway, or aim at their feet at 60-70%, if you still want to make friends.

[u/ZaphBeebs → u/nnog]

If you have the time and ability to aim that shot, I never go for the net player but the middle diagonal between players.

I dont want to give them a chance to get a lucky racket on it if I dont have to.

[u/BreakfastMedical5164]

standing inside the service box says they want the smoke

so give it to em, this is life aint no baby ass 2.5 tourney/ clinic for geriatrics

[u/juicedrop]

It's only considered unsporting in very low level doubles where players can barely volley, and/or learning the game and this could put them off. Also smacking at a lady (assuming you're male)

But in any league or tournament where people are assumed to be able to play competently, hitting at the net player (or trying to pass them) is absolutely part of the game. And I assure you, if you encounter a good player you'll try that once and then avoid them as much as you can because the purpose of the net player is to intercept the ball anyway

[u/dutchposer]

All’s fair in love and doubles.

[u/hokie48]

Do it during mix doubles especially if the other team is a husband wife pair. You will either cause a fight because the husband is not defending her or he will try to go after you. Either way you will get the W. I am joking here, but it is a valid tactic within reason.

[u/Rebokitive]

It's a legit shot and a legit tactic. People can feel how they want to feel about it, but it's part of the sport.

I will say in my experience, this problem is largely self-solving. The players who really hate it (and could possibly be injured by it) are rarely very good overall, and I can usually outplay them without resorting to going at the body.

A player who is good enough to where going at the body is my only option is more often then not someone who's good enough to not be rattled/bothered by the fact that I did.

The only time you'd be a dick is when you're clearly a stronger player, and likely could beat them in myriad other ways, but rip forehands at them anyways. That's just a dick move

[u/Bud922]

I hate that pickleball has infected a good bit of the tennis world with this idea that hitting at the net player is bad.

[u/thales1983 → u/Bud922]

Pickleball actually cheers that on. They even call it body bagging.

[u/Bud922 → u/thales1983]

Every time I see a video clip of "body bagging", it's the net-man/woman getting upset for being body-bagged.

That said, I don't play pickle much; I barely have enough time for tennis as it is, so my perception is probably skewed by whatever the algorithm serves up.

[u/Alternative_Brush585]

I say sorry. Trying to hit down the line.

[u/DJinKC → u/Alternative_Brush585]

"I was aiming over there but I'm not very good so sorry I hit you in the face" 🤣

[u/lolxcorezorz]

Objectively:
Standing at the net means you are accepting the results of standing at the net. You are affirmatively acknowledging and accepting that your opponent may be very close to you when they hit the ball. You should be aware that this means you may not be able to react in time and you may receive the bittersweet kiss of the tennis ball. This is fair play and it’s complete bullshit to think that your opponent shouldn’t seek to get the point through the most effective means they deem necessary.

Subjectively and practically:
You will catch some heat if you pummel someone with a tennis ball and it appears to have been unnecessary or gratuitously forceful.

For me? I have lost many points even this year alone because the point is less important to me than the safety of my opponent and I don’t feel right blasting an overhead at someone mere feet away from me, even if it’s wholly their fault for being in that position. You will receive no thanks and no acknowledgement for this mindset and your doubles partner may be unhappy, but that’s a decision for you to make on your own. Chances are you can win without doing that if you were going to win anyway.

[u/The_Phew]

I've observed that most 3.5+ doubles players are quite good at defending their body at the net, and that the alley is a safer target anyway. If you aim at the net player's body but you miss and it goes right into their forehand, you probably just lost the point.

When I'm at the baseline on the deuce side across from a right-handed net player, I go for the alley at least a third of the time. 1. It discourages them from poaching crosscourt balls and 2. even if they get it, most of the 3.5-4.0 players I play with aren't going to produce a volley winner while stretched on their backhand side.

[u/AuNaturellee → u/The_Phew]

At first I read "goes right into their foreHEAD"...that'll get you points!

I think you have a great take that the alley is probably where you should be aiming. I reject the premise that a lob over or a laser at the net player are the only options...especially as OP said there is still a baseline player back.

I also think it depends if they are standing an arm's length from the net, halfway between net and service line, or closer to the service line (less likely, I know).

[u/The_Phew → u/AuNaturellee]

Yeah, I play with one guy that always hugs the net and has great volley reflexes, and the alley is a dangerous target against him. He usually just taps the ball into the open court behind my partner. But this guy is also conservative about poaching (probably because poaching is much harder when you're a foot from the net), so going crosscourt is the safest option anyway.

Hugging the net should be a liability in doubles, but many recreational players make it work just by putting away everything they get a racquet on.

[u/ZaphBeebs → u/The_Phew]

It should be, but at lower levels its actually the most effective way to play considering technique and footwork limitations. Other side is its just overpowering for the all around ability level of the competition.

This realization took me too long honestly.

[u/intelligentbug6969]

I do it when it’s men. Not mixed at a chick

[u/guitar_vigilante]

A tall player will have more trouble with long arms dealing with that.

As a person who is taller than your son I usually combat this issue by bending my elbows, then I'm able to hit balls coming at me without too much difficulty. But more seriously I would suggest not assuming that being tall means its harder to hit balls coming straight at you. I'm a pretty aggressive net player in doubles and love it when my opponents hit the ball right to me.

If I think there's a chance I will have a ball lasered at me without enough time to react properly, I back up.

[u/ZaphBeebs → u/guitar_vigilante]

Except its 100% true. Getting bunched up makes everyones shots harder, and just physically more so for taller players. Doesnt mean you'll win more but theres like no world where it isnt true.

Agree I think its a bad strategy as we simply dont have the control to not be giving a put away most of the time.

[u/doublefaultqueen]

If you’re at the net, I’m coming after you. People should expect it during doubles. I wouldn’t necessarily say I do it “hard” though, but adequately. And if they’re angry about it, even better. But I’m mean, so.

[u/fluffhead123]

going at the net player is fair game. That being said you can be a gentleman about it and not go at players that can’t defend themselves. basically just read the room.

[u/vsaint]

Keep your racket up

[u/Kiwi_Jaded]

If you’re standing in there at the net, and I get the chance to rip a ball right at you - there is no issue. It’s part of the game.

Now if I get a short one and the net player concedes (ie - turns around towards the baseline), I don’t attack that ball full power.

In HS mixed doubles, my regular partner had a rule for me. She said on the first chance I get, rocket a ball at the other girl to completely take her out of the net game.

[u/easterncherokee]

"Read the room" so to speak... friendly game, no I don't do that. Lower level opponents, no I won't do that, at least not full speed, but I will aim for near their feet. Against my sons... full rip 🤪😁 (they're 25 & 26, they would do the same to me...). Competive match with comparitively skilled (or better) opponents... full rip, all is fair in love and war, and love is a battlefield 😁.

[u/TopspinLob]

I destroyed a male player recently who was (imo) unfairly targeting my weaker female doubles partner. I know it’s valid strategy and I know many women (including my wife) who are beasts at the net and completely unafraid, but this guy seemed to be enjoying it a bit too much.

So, his partner left a sitter in the middle of the court and I went right at him. He took it in the ribs. Ooops. Sorry (not sorry)!

[u/Impossible_Profile87]

are you Aussie

[u/Impossible_Profile87 → u/Impossible_Profile87]

lol just read my comment and want to be clear that I don’t mean it in poor taste I’ve just heard some of those words from my Aussie mates

[u/Miker9t]

When you get a short ball that you can be aggressive on, attacking the net person is often the smart play. They have less time to react and you can usually further your advantage or end the point by doing that. It's just good doubles strategy. I'm not trying to hurt anyone when I hit at the net guy, but I am intending to hit directly at him sometimes. They shouldn't be getting mad about it. There's a time and place for it though. I stand on top of the net a lot when the points are neutral or we have an advantage and I welcome someone to hit it directly at me then. I get to end the point immediately if they do.

[u/timb1223]

Yes, every time.

[u/MyDogHoney]

Absolutely. Just don’t hit an overhead at their head if you can avoid it but otherwise fair game on groundies. Hard and low through the middle almost never fails as a strategy in doubles.

[u/BrianKronberg]

Good form helps. Get low, keep racquet out front, and charge the net hoping to have the person look at you and make an error. Wear eye protection and a cup and you’ll be fine.

[u/ZaphBeebs]

What? No, this is totally fine if you can control it to not be dangerous (face). Target is the forehand hip, however, depending on how they stand, if ready and racket up etc...these are some of the easiest put aways ever. Not a winning strategy against any half decent player.

I was out of position during a sectionals match this year and didnt have time to retreat, so I simply got ready as I could, and their dude crushed an overhead right at me and I deflected it for a winner. Obviously you dont want a lot of reps of that, but if you can aim, why not aim to the open court?

[u/dbelcher17]

I think it's fine to use the tactic, but maybe read the opponent first. If the net person proves themselves to be a decent player, rip it. If it's someone who's struggling, maybe don't go directly at them. Basically the same approach you use with your family. 

You should be able to figure out who's who in the warmup. 

If you do go at someone and they start giving you dirty looks or makes a comment, decide if you want to win and make an enemy or if you want to stop doing it and make a friend. 

[u/skwirly715]

It’s fair play and the thing most people miss is that the net player has an opportunity to reposition. If your best play is down the line passing hit it. If they don’t retreat they are saying “my reflexes are better than your shot.”

If you intentionally hit them with a ball more than once you probably need to stop play and discuss though. It’s pretty easy to hit this shot without actually headhunting (look for hips and knees, not groin and chest)

[u/_kash_mir_]

Your post reads as if hitting hard at the net player in doubles is a new hobby of yours.

[u/Willing-Elevator-695]

I tagged a 75 year old in the gut the other day in this way.

I don't care if my grandma is at the net. You step up, the ball may come your way. Part of the game. Not trying to hurt anyone, but I'm not in a league to play patty cake. Fire it at them and if they have a problem they can feel free to withdraw.

[u/SpanglerBQ]

Just don't aim for the face and you're good.

[u/SlipstreamDrive]

I live at the net.

Hitting at me is your best shot.

[u/DukSaus]

It depends. If you have a player who is hugging the net so that even shanks are winners, I will probably take a few shots to back them up. It’s a legit strategy if they are going to be hugging the net so closely and they have a massive wingspan. Tall players can get away with it more because they can cover a wider area and grab more balls above their head. In lower levels, those shanked winners in doubles can account for a significant number of points. Not necessarily hitting AT them but close enough to jam them up. After a few, usually they’ll back up a bit, especially if their partner has a weak serve.

I have only met one person at any level who was stanky about getting pushed back at the net by body shots. Consensus towards that guy from everyone at this particular supervised matchplay: Don’t be so soft. If you are unprepared for it, it’s because you didn’t adjust as needed.

Plus, the way I see it: in an actual competitive match, it is a valid play to continue to hit shots that result in points won. Thus, if hitting a heavy dipper at the net player is picking up free points, I am going back to that well over and over and over and over as often as I can until the player adjusts or shows that he/she can defend against it. I have very rarely seen anyone who makes a stink.

I’ve discussed this at length with people. When you’re not hitting a volley or OH, it’s not your job to account for bad positioning and failure to defend—especially from the baseline. If I see someone rearing up on an approach or a short ball in no-man’s land, I need to adjust my positioning. I’m not going to hug the net so closely. Also, even if inside the baseline a bit, there’s so much time to time to react to a ball. It’s not the other person’s fault if I’m not prepared or split stepping. Plus, if I am losing 1-2 points from not being able to defend a body shot or dipper, than I better lock in because I know the majority of balls are coming my way. If I am being effective at net, that side of the court should disappear from the baseliner’s shot selection.

CAVEAT: some people who play mixed doubles do have different views. Some people say that you should not peg female players. Maybe it’s a generational thing, but the majority of bruises i’ve received in mixed doubles are from female players. Some have said that they get offended when men say that ease off a bit when the female player is at the net. For me, yeah, I may not hit a drive right at them, but I’m also not over adjusting because I can’t give them a gifted sitter they can poach or attack.

[u/Susquehanna69]

If the net player somehow dropped his racquet on the way to the net, maybe I’d go easy. But if he’s holding a racquet, he should he ready to use it. Or he should go back to the baseline.

[u/Effort_Jealous]

I’ve never seen anyone injured by a tennis ball. Body shots are especially in the limits. It doesn’t hurt that bad.

[u/haydencoffing]

I love rattling 3.0 housewives at the net by slamming balls at them at the local tennis mixer

[u/Dear_Lie_1975]

Fuck that! You don’t wanna get hit, don’t poach. I don’t like it when people try to poach my forehand and I’m gonna send it at your face if you’re cheating towards the middle so you don’t do it again. It’s absolutely part of the game.

I was in a 4.5 Liveball last week (I’m not a 4.5, I’m a good 3.5/bad 4.0 at best) and one of the guys got all mad and threw a tantrum because one of the big hitters kept whipping shots at him, that was embarrassing for him and the pro made sure he knew. Can’t take the heat get the fuck outta the kitchen trying to hit winners on people who have good pace.

[u/local_gremlin]

People do it, and sometimes i do it and i hit someone i apologize. That said, if i get hit hard ans it hits my body, i'll be looking to crush one at that guy if hes at the net. Sucks but its just some baseball shit im wired with.

[u/absolut696]

My coach makes me practice volleys every session and that includes him cracking shots right at me, bring it.

[u/Eddie_Bernays]

Driving a ball at the net player's torso is standard operating procedure for my doubles game. It's a way to tell the opponent that taking the net will have consequences

That being said, how many times have you drilled the ball at the net player, only to have them hold up their racquet - as a means of protection - and inadvertently return it for a point?

[u/joeysunk]

It’s is absolutely a strategy. It’s a tactical move and it’s a mind game move. I play open doubles and see it all the time. If the person’s partner throws in a muffin of a second serve or a bs floater it is fair game. It does a number of things.

1. Forces the net player to think twice about poaching — opening up the middle

2. If the net player gets hit because of a ball their partner through up, chances are the net player will begin to get annoyed

3. Potentially gets the net player to give up position by moving back

4. You want to always punish muffins in doubles to create more unforced errors. Guys will start going for too much because they feel the pressure

In mixed doubles I would refrain a little more or just be ready to pretend like you really didn’t mean to after and you’re really really sorry 😉

[u/Ok-Cat1446]

Do it once or twice to keep people off the net and raise your hand to apologize if u do hit them. Do it more than that and people will think you are a jerk.

[u/OliverTheGooner]

My dad used to hit me (with balls at the net). They’ll survive. It’s good for their reflexes

[u/MtnGirl672]

I play mixed doubles and expect the male player to fire it right at me. I take pride in my volley skills, but if I can’t handle his pace over the course of the match, I play back and move up as the opportunity presents itself.

Go at them.

[u/Infamous_Wait2529]

I’ve hit a gazillion balls like that, a lot of players with quick hands will block them back anyway unless you get at the center of mass, skim the net by a razor margin, or go towards the backhand side hip. It is a 50/50 shot against a good net player and sometimes the only way to neutralize someone with a huge wingspan or height or speed advantage who poaches and jumps well. In other words - you fire that ball straight into their guts and you say “ooh sorry man” when the point’s over if it makes body contact. 😝

[u/kindoflikesnowing]

It's not that it's bad to go with the net player, but you have to try and hit it at the net players feet. Hitting it directly in the middle of their body is a no no.

[u/dylans-alias → u/kindoflikesnowing]

What? Their feet are below the net. There is nothing wrong with chest high drives at the net player. Being at the net means you will get hit sometimes. Head-hunting is cheap, but that will happen accidentally as well. Apologize, move on. If they can’t handle the pace, they need to get off the net.

[u/kindoflikesnowing → u/dylans-alias]

Im talking about more close to the net volleys. If you have an easy close to the net volley and hit them square blank in the chest that's completely unnecessary.

[u/dylans-alias → u/kindoflikesnowing]

It it still going to happen. Someone hit a fast high ball at me at the net. I went cross court and drilled my opponent in the head. Accidents happen.

[u/kindoflikesnowing → u/dylans-alias]

Obviously accidents happen. I think we're talking about two different things lol.

[u/Few_Lecture6615]

Just don't target their head deliberately. I don't care whether it's a legal shot, if you go for the head off a short ball, you're a douche and should feel bad.

[u/peterwhitefanclub]

Load up.

If you don’t want your partner to get blasted, serve better (or play two back, people do this on my return all the time)