Why You Are Losing to Pushers (Defensive Tennis Players)

In today’s video, I explain why you are losing to pushers (defensive tennis players) and what needs to be done to start beating them.

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[natestenniscomeback]

Also, the mental game is HUGE in beating pushers. You have to be mentally prepared to hit a million shots to win one point. And when you make an easy mistake on a shot you have to be able to get over it.

You will have 100 chances to make up for it, don’t lose your mental edge

[natestenniscomeback]

every single tennis player has a story about losing to a pusher. its one thing that brings us all together!!

[thomasmedeiros]

As a tournament player and high school tennis coach I think your analysis is great. I get tired of my players complaining how terrible the other player was because they had no strokes, no pace or didn’t know how to hit properly. Pushers show you that YOU have a lack of certain skills and YOU need to develop and improve to beat them. They show that your not as good as your ego thinks you are! So many players don’t put any time into practice or develop the necessary skills to play against a variety of styles. Your videos would really help if they take the time to practice with a partner instead of just playing sets all the time an repeating the same mistakes over and over again.

[narcyznarcyz-uvtd]

If you are 4.5 level. and you play club tournaments, sooner or later you will face pusher.
Do not ever underestimate pusher.
because you can start your game leading quickly 3:0 and suddenly lose the set 3:6 after making simple mistakes trying to overpower pusher.. I saw this many times.
As coach Nikola said if you have a problem with finishing high balls and you are not consistent enough you are in trouble. My strategy is simple..move the pusher around, do not go for winners only be patient waiting for short high ball to finish it or attack always on backhand side and being ready for extra volley or overhead.. that is it. .lol

[DemetriusNunes]

It's amazing how most of these videos about beating pushers totally forget to mention the physical aspect of these players. They're mostly in good shape, so being patient also requires you to be fit.

[DotyString]

Things that got me past the pushers. Better ball recognition, ability to hit on the rise, the belief that I have it in me to finish a match against these monsters. I really respect pushers, a great pusher is a good tennis player. This vid is on point.

[craigthompson]

I teach 30-35 hours a week and i use some of your tips on my lessons. After 30 plus years of teaching i found sometimes its learning to say the same thing in a different way! I Learn something i can use on my lessons and my self every time i watch one of your lessons! Also your use humor (very important to relax your students) and solid technique helps me get more motivated to teach. Thank you Nick ! Craig Thompson Uspta Elite pro

[koongfu]

I saw a lot of videos about this issue, I have to say that you explained exactly the four main problems with this kind of players: lack of pace, moonballs, short low balls and short high balls. I’ve been playing all weeks against this kind of player and this video helped me to recognize what I have to train to beat him without much effort.

[behradbavarsad]

Even comments are so amazing, everyone has a bad exprience against pushers, they are mystery and frustrating, even at the end of the match you're not willing give a hand shake cause you know you beat yourself and not the opponent, please make a video showing us some exact related drills about pushers ball and how to deal with them ( All 3 types of balls)
Thank you coach ❤️

[tavorisgeter]

I used to get frustrated playing against a pusher, but I think its a good challenge. For example, when Im playing against a person who pushes the ball, it forces me to work on my weaker areas such as overhead and volleys. Also, mentally you have to problem solve in tennis. That's the fun part of the game.

[fabz]

Been waiting for this topic to be covered. Drives me insane especially players with an absolutely lousy backhand.

[martinharrisFTW]

Nick you really are the best teacher on youtube! Long time watcher, please do a video on high and low balls with a 2H backhand and/or forehand! Keep doing what you're doing!

[santoshthapa]

honest confession: im a Pusher. i wanna be aggressive, i wanna end the points. but the more aggressive i become, the more i lose. the more defensive i think, it seems the more i win. i dont wanna run all day defending but it always ends up becoming that. its really frustrating and annoying.

[Stan-B]

Dear Nick, all is crystal clear: 1. Develop technique, 2. ball recognition, 3. shot selection, 4. patience. Obviously, it takes time and a lot of repetitions, and I appreciate that. Yesterday I lost again to a shitty player who returns very slow and random balls, and it feels bad. Indeed, I rather beat myself. Could you please give us some tactical tips on how to beat a pusher in one of your future videos, e.g. create pace yourself, go to the net more often? Going to the net is tricky, as pushers are usually very good in hitting lobs. Many thanks in advance.

[RamaSivamani]

Whenever I played pushers one of two things happens with my game and they both end up resulting in losses or struggles against them. Either I try to hit to aggressive and lack the proper patience like you mentioned in this video and I lose to many points by missing or I don't play aggresive enough and basically end up trying to out push a pusher which also ends up in me losing a lot of points since now I am playing my opponent's game instead of my own. Finding that right balance of patience vs aggresion against a pusher is something I have always struggled with. The times I have beat pushers was simply because I was serving well that day and won a bunch of free points on my serves which was just enough to tun the tide.

[vinylrulesok]

Really good pointers there Nick, particularly the need to practice high balls. That’s something I really need to work on as it’s the one shot I hate receiving

[timboslice]

THIS IS THE VIDEO IVE BEEN WAITING FOR MY ENTIRE LIFE

[emptysea]

excellent advice and breaking down different problems with the short, slow ball. It's often the hardest shot for a mid-level player. It's gotta be practiced for sure

[CoachAdrian]

Good video! Ball recognition is definitely key and an underrated skill. I think the more you play different types of players, the better you get with ball recognition, but also, the player has to be very aware of the opponent's movement, style, and their own shot selection as well.

[Shaunsweeney-Kubach]

I played some doubles yesterday with people in the mid 70s and and 80s. I am 51 years old and experienced everything you mentioned in this video, I fixed the problem in mid set. I realized placement is way more important than to try to hit clean winners. One person hit their serve so slow, you could time it with a sun dial. I also am not trying to hurt anyone out there either. I was dinking my serve’s just so we can play points out. I have noticed in tennis, some people would never play people who aren’t as good as they are. I learned a lot from playing tennis against all levels of players. Great video my friend.