Making Your Opponents Miss - The Art Of The Forced Error
In tennis, as in life, we all make mistakes. It's inevitable. But did you know that there are ways you can force your opponents to make more errors than usual?
The term "forced error" is used to describe a mistake made by a player as a result of pressure exerted by their opponent. Unlike an unforced error, which is caused by a player's own mistakes or poor judgement, a forced error is the direct result of good play from the opposing player. We'll take a look at some of the ways you can force your opponents into making errors, and how you can use this to your advantage on the court.
Attack Their Backhand
Most players have a weaker backhand than they do forehand, so attacking their backhand side is a great way to force errors. If you can get them running around their backhand, all the better. They'll be off-balance and more likely to hit the ball into the net or out of the court.
Hit To Their Body Or Feet
Another way to make your opponent miss is to hit the ball into their body. This will make it difficult for them to move away and get into the proper position to return the ball, and they'll be more likely to hit an error. You can also hit the ball right at their feet, which will again make it difficult for them to return the ball and increase your chances of winning the point.
Make Them Play Defence
The best way to do this is by hitting deep shots that land close to the baseline. This will force your opponent to move backwards and defend rather than attack. And if you can make them run from side to side as well, all the better!
Play Mind Games
This one is more of a mental strategy than anything else, but it can be effective nonetheless. If you can get into your opponent's head and make them second-guess themselves, you'll be surprised at how many errors they start making. For example, if you know that your opponent gets impatient, you can try to prolong each point by being consistent and simply staying in the rally. This might force them into an error when they try to hit premature winners to shorten the point.
Forcing errors from your opponent is a great way to win tennis matches. By putting them under pressure and targeting their weaknesses, you can force them into making mistakes that they wouldn't otherwise make. Remember to stay calm and focused yourself, and always be aware of your opponents’ strengths and weaknesses. If you can do all of these things, then you'll be well on your way to becoming a master of the forced error!
"The Philosophical Tennis Player: Thinking Your Way To Winning" offers a unique perspective on the sport of tennis. This book provides guidance inspired by philosophy to help you rethink the game and reach your peak performance. The author breathes life into abstract philosophical concepts, transforming them into tangible strategies everyone can use to become a successful player. Readers will gain insight into the psychological aspects of tennis and recognise the timeless values that extend beyond the confines of the court.
About The Author
Darren Teo is the founder of Play! Tennis, the most Google reviewed tennis academy in Singapore. His passion for making tennis accessible to everyone regardless of their age, experience and ability continues to drive his work at the school. He is a thought leader in LinkedIn with 14,000 followers.