What to Do at the Net So You Stop Getting Passed
Quick answer
You get passed because you stop on the service line and stand still while your opponent lines up the pass. The fix is to keep closing: after your approach, move forward and split step just as your opponent strikes the ball. The closer you are when they hit, the less angle they have and the easier the volley becomes.
Why standing still gets you passed
Reaching the net is not the goal. Closing it is. Players come in, stop on the service line, and freeze, which leaves a huge amount of court to pass into and gives them low, awkward volleys. A still net player is an easy target. A closing net player takes away time and angle.
How to close the net
- 1After your approach, keep moving forward. Do not stop on the service line.
- 2Split step just as your opponent contacts the ball, so you can push off in any direction.
- 3Take the first volley deep, then close further for the easier second volley.
- 4Cut off the angle by moving toward the side you sent the ball, not staying central.
Cover the pass, not the lob fake
Trust your position. Most passes go crosscourt or down the line at a height you can volley if you are close. Do not back up in fear of the lob, because backing up makes every pass easier. If they do lob, that is an overhead, which is a footwork problem you can fix. And a calm, compact volley is what finishes the point, so start with the block-and-redirect volley.
The short version
Do not stop on the service line. Keep closing, split step as they hit, take the first volley deep, and cut off the angle. Closing beats camping.
Frequently asked
How do I stop getting passed at the net?
Keep closing instead of stopping on the service line. Split step as your opponent strikes the ball, move forward to cut off the angle, and take the first volley deep. The closer you are, the less court they have to pass into.
Where should I stand at the net?
Not frozen on the service line. After your approach, keep moving forward toward the net so you can cut off angles, and split step each time your opponent hits so you can react in any direction.
Should I worry about the lob at the net?
Do not back up in fear of it, because that makes every passing shot easier. Hold your closing position. If they lob, treat it as an overhead, which is a footwork skill you can train.
Sources and further reading
Written by
Bolor Enkhbayar
Tennis coach and founder of CoachesNote
Bolor coaches serious juniors and adult competitors. She builds every weekly plan, reviews the video and match notes, and decides the next job, in person and remotely through CoachesNote.
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