A common misconception is to hit to your opponents “weak” side, often their backhand. This is a very basic tactical tennis strategy at all levels. It can work if executed properly, however there are situations that need to be understood or this plan may actually backfire on you.
Any tennis player that has a significantly weaker backhand, is fully aware of this weakness and they have their own game plan to protect their weaker side. Often players will run around their backhand and have set plays to avoid hitting backhands and this is where your well laid out plan may actually bite you.
You see, when you hit to a players “weak” side and you do not put them on the run, they likely will have time to move around and hit their stronger shot. This now creates a problem. Since they are highly skilled in this, from many many repetitions, it becomes their best and favorite shot. To make things worse, you just gave them a cheat code to limit their recovery to that side of the court. Now your plan to break down that backhand, just turned into a losing proposition because not only are they hitting their favorite shot, but now they are playing half court tennis while you are playing full court tennis.
A better plan is to direct neutral ball rallys to their strong side and try to take one of those rally balls early and then hit to their weaker side, putting them on the run to the weaker side. Now they have the dilemma of hitting their weaker shot, but also recovering to defend the forehand side from being on the run. This is a 3 shot pattern that requires precision and patience for the right scenario.
Find Your Game 