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Hitting flat balls straight down the middle will only get you so far. I coach dozens of players every year, and they all plateau at the same level. They ignore the essential types of tennis shots that build a winning strategy. You need a complete arsenal of strokes to dictate the point.
Are you getting crushed by players who seem to barely swing the racket? I used to lose to crafty veterans constantly when I was a junior. They would hit a nasty slice, drop a ball short, and then lob me. I was hitting twice as hard, but I lacked variety. You have to master different spins and trajectories.
I recently tracked my shot selection during a three-set match. Over 65% of my winners came from tactical specialty shots, not raw power groundstrokes. Let me break down the 11 crucial shots you need in your repertoire.
The Baseline Foundation
Groundstrokes form the core of modern tennis. You hit these after the ball bounces once on your side of the net. Developing reliable groundstrokes is mandatory.
The Topspin Forehand
This is your primary weapon. You execute a topspin forehand by brushing up the back of the ball at contact. The forward rotation forces the ball to dip sharply into the court.
I hit hundreds of topspin forehands during playtests. Using a modern frame like the Yonex EZONE 100 helps generate massive RPMs easily. You use this shot to pin your opponent deep behind the baseline.
The main drawback? It requires fast racket head speed. If you slow your swing down out of fear, the ball will sit up perfectly for your opponent to crush. You must commit to the stroke completely.
The Flat Drive
A flat drive features very little spin. You hit directly through the back of the ball. The trajectory is laser-straight and extremely fast.
You should use this shot when you receive a short, high bouncing ball. It rips time away from the defender. I strictly use flat drives for put-away winners.
Because it lacks topspin, a flat drive has a tiny margin for error. Aim for large targets near the center of the court. Do not aim for the lines unless you want to lose points quickly.
The Backhand Slice
The slice is a defensive marvel. You hit it with an open racket face, chopping down and under the ball. This imparts heavy backspin. The ball floats low over the net and skids violently upon bouncing.
I rely on my backhand slice when I get stretched wide out of position. It buys me precious seconds to recover to the center. It also destroys the rhythm of players who love high-paced baseline rallies. For a detailed breakdown of racket options, check our guide on the best tennis rackets.
Starting the Point: The Serve
The serve is the only shot where you have complete control over the ball. A powerful serve dictates the entire point.
The Flat Serve
You hit a flat serve by making direct, un-spun contact with the ball at the peak of your toss. It generates maximum speed. I use this primarily on my first serve to win free points. Professional players frequently exceed 130 mph with their flat serves. You can view official serve statistics on the ATP Tour website.
The Kick Serve
This is the ultimate second serve. You brush aggressively up and across the back of the ball. It bounces incredibly high, often kicking above the returner's shoulder.
I use the kick serve to prevent double faults. The heavy topspin makes the ball clear the net by a large margin and dive safely into the service box. It takes immense practice to master the toss location for a true kick serve.
The Slice Serve
You execute a slice serve by carving around the outside of the ball. It curves sharply through the air. I love using this out wide on the Deuce court. It drags the returner completely into the doubles alley. The entire ad court is then wide open for an easy winner.
Finishing the Point: Net Play
When you step inside the service line, you take away your opponent's reaction time. Net play requires sharp reflexes and soft hands.
The Standard Volley
You hit a volley out of the air before the ball bounces. A proper volley uses a very short, compact punching motion. You do not take a full backswing.
I punch volleys deep into the open court to finish points instantly. You must keep your racket head up and step into the shot.
The Drop Volley
This is a finesse shot. You loosen your grip slightly at impact to absorb the incoming pace. The ball dies instantly and barely trickles over the net.
I use the drop volley when my opponent is pinned far behind the baseline. They will never sprint fast enough to reach a well-executed drop volley. It can be frustrating if you miss, as the ball will just pop up weakly. For racket suggestions that offer great touch, look at our top tennis racket brands breakdown.
The Overhead Smash
You hit a smash out of the air from above your head. The motion is nearly identical to a flat serve. You use this when your opponent hits a weak, short lob. It is the most lethal shot in tennis. I rarely miss an overhead smash if my footwork is solid.
Tactical Specialty Shots
These shots get you out of trouble or expose a glaring weakness in your opponent's movement.
The Defensive Lob
A lob goes high into the air, landing deep near the baseline. I hit defensive lobs when I am completely out of breath. The ball's long flight time gives me three crucial seconds to jog back to the middle of the court.
The Offensive Topspin Lob
You use an offensive lob when your opponent crowds the net aggressively. You brush up heavily on the ball. It flies just over their outstretched racket and bounces away for a clean winner. It requires perfect disguise to execute effectively.
The Drop Shot
You hit a drop shot with extreme backspin and very soft hands. It mimics the motion of a slice but lands incredibly short. I use this against slow, heavy players. Forcing them to sprint forward repeatedly drains their energy fast. You can purchase gear to improve your drop shots on Amazon; check out tennis training aids here.
Frequently Asked Questions
The four foundational shots are the serve, the forehand, the backhand, and the volley. You can play a complete, highly competitive match if you master just these four strokes.
The backhand overhead smash is generally considered the most difficult shot. You must track a high ball over your nondominant shoulder and hit it out of the air backward. I usually let those bounce if possible.
The flat first serve generates the highest velocity. Your entire body weight transfers forward into a clean, unspun impact at the peak of your reach.
You need to stop hitting flat. Brush up the back of the ball to create topspin. The spin creates air pressure that forces the ball to dive safely inside the lines.
