Moonballing can be an effective pattern for all levels of tennis in particular using it against opponents that strive off of strike zone balls and like to dictate play from the baseline. However, just because you initiate the moonball pattern doesn’t mean the point starts to tip in your favor. The moonball is a very basic skill and you must assume that your opponent is equally skilled in this tactic.
There are a few ways that you can disrupt a moonball pattern, and they do come with risks. The first is the high slice. Federer demonstrates this very often while returning kick serves to his backhand. The benefit of this pattern is being able to take the ball on the rise, take time away from your opponent and to make them move forward, hit on the run, a ball that is out of their strike zone. The second option is utilizing a high forehand inside out swing, hitting the inside of the ball creating a ball that breaks away from your opponent. Taking this on the rise can be very effective by taking time away from your opponent and also making them hit on the run in an awkward part of the court. When executed well, you can actually hit a winner with this shot.
Lastly, the most typical tactical plan of the moonball, is to out moonball your opponent and force them to cough up a short ball. This is more of the percentage play, but only if you think your moonball, footwork and skills to move forward and create off this short ball are developed to execute this the majority of the time. Regardless, it is good to practice these three patterns and use them in matches when you are face with opponents that are grooving their groundstrokes.
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