How To BEAT The Dreaded PUSHER

Today we show you how to beat the dreaded pusher. This video is for all skill levels.

Check out some of our other tennis lessons:

A SIMPLE Drill to Hit with MORE Topspin

Hit BIG Kick and Slice Serves With This SMALL Foot Adjustment

How This Hammer Will Give You MORE POWER On Your FOREHAND

[amarijayamari]

I have a great time playing my pusher buddies. They are always challenging and they keep me definitely on my toes and working for every point. This is a good thing, because when I play the other players who hit cleaner shots, I find that my sessions with the pushers have sharpened me.
Great video tips! I look forward to seeing more.

[thomasmedeiros]

All this advice assumes that you have the skills to implement the inside out, inside in, the approach shot, volley, swing volley and overhead. In my teaching and coaching experience many 3.0, 3.5 and even some 4.0 players may not have the necessary tools to implement this strategy against a pusher. Many mid level players do not have lots to tools in their tool box but always depend on their serve and top spin forehand with an average two handed backhand. I would always teach hitting on the rise, hitting deep, change of pace and different spins. We always start at the net and volley. Every practice includes overheads. Bottom line a player needs to have command of many shots to use the tactics and strategy that you wisely recommend.

[josephhenry]

Would have given this a 10 / 10 if there were a couple of on court demos

[lethedan]

Definitely one of a best lesson on how to beat the pusher & an extra great advice on how to hit Inside-out and Inside-in FH. Thanks again for a great lesson.

[MrMorazzani]

Congrats, ...excellent channel to get insides of tennis by Professionals !!

[InfiniteQuest]

I love the drop shot advice! I always try to win with it, but it makes a lot more sense to play it safer and bring them into a spot where they are uncomfortable. I don't know why I didn't think of it that way before. Thanks!

[toptenguy]

I stand corrected from my previous comment in the "Junk ballers" video. 70% of my local league are PUSHERS! LOL

[scottcarson]

Hi guy's.. came across this earlier today knowing I had a tricky league match... it worked! Thanks for your help 👍

[lindamoggioable]

My biggest problem with pushers is that they consistently throw up semi moon balls that hit at my baseline and fall THROUGH my wheelhouse (not TOWARD my wheelhouse), and I find it extremely difficult to time the falling ball and put anything on my return. I play only women (not by choice) and this is standard procedure for most players at my club. I have also played a woman who SERVED moonballs which I could not put anything on. Comment?

[michaelboyko]

I'd propose to analyse the pushers first: 1. good court coverage, they run a lot 2. they use reflection bounce off to hit back 3. They use your pace it strokes... So it becomes quite clear that we must deprive them of their advantaged and turn their habits into their weaknesses...
1. Let them run more that a lot OR let them not run at all because of your passing shots too good
2. Use more spin than usual, try 60% spin+ 40% pace shots and almost all the balls will return to you as weak low moon balls or will fly to sides into outs 3. Let them HIT THE BALLS only with their own power and they'll know that technique with the stance, swing and follow through isn't as easy as a reflection bounce off the racquet... Perhaps I'm not too mistaken

[thomt]

Humbly adding two more strategies: 1) make sure you don't start "pushing" back with your swimg, where you telegraph the direction of your shot. Instead take their soft shot and hold it to last microsecond before ripping one so they can't see it coming; 2) Another if all else fails is to hit deep topspin sem-lobs; lots of pushers like to use your flat ball pace but with heavy spin they can't do so easily

[PlazaMoon]

good advice, but, if you want to compete with these other online tennis coaches you need to demonstrate

[dropshot]

what works for me is the last 2 points you bring up 1 ) come to net. but some pushers can pass on the run or have a good lob. I approach short up the middle with a slice or high ball. Most are not fast enough to get around and its very hard to hit an angle. 2) dropshots!- definitely work to mess with their baseline game.

[tributeact]

as an older player, its so difficult to beat the pusher especially if their younger, you just get to the point where you just want to hit a winner and end up in the net or play a long ball.
jesus, i hate the pusher.

[RSH]

I tried to click your "button". It did not work . Using Chrome browser.

[ryestef]

Pushers are fine. Junk Ballers are the worst.

[feistybastard]

Good tactical strategy, but you've gotta use VIDEO. Put the words into action. No one wants to watch a guy hold a racket and just talk. Otherwise, great tips.

[michaelboyko]

To wait for the opportunity with a pusher means TONNES of running, that's only Nadal can endure... You'll get either annoyed or worn out, choose the first one for yourself...

[michaelboyko]

Well, I've been attentive up to the end and I can call the hints controversial, sorry to say... All you propose is to play defense, to play defense against a gourmet in defense play?!

[davidraman]

Good tips, but American tennis trainers are like American text books I.e. lots of words that are unnecessary. Be pithier!