Many players think they’re losing points because of technique.
They blame their forehand.
They blame their backhand.
They blame their footwork.
But most of the time, the real problem is something much simpler:
Court positioning and depth control.
If your shots constantly land short, you’re putting yourself on defense before the rally even begins.
And once you’re defending, the entire point becomes harder.
Let’s break down why this happen, and how to fix it.
Why Short Balls Change Everything?
Depth is one of the most powerful weapons in tennis.
When your shots land deep in the court, your opponent has less time and fewer options.
But when your ball lands short, three things immediately happen:
• Your opponent can step inside the baseline
• They gain more angles to attack
• They can take the ball earlier
Suddenly, you’re the one scrambling.
It doesn’t matter how strong your groundstrokes are, if they’re landing short, you’re giving your opponent control of the rally.
Depth Is a Weapon
Great players understand something that many recreational players overlook.
They don’t always try to hit winners.
Instead, they focus on controlling depth.
A deep ball does three powerful things:
• It pushes your opponent backward
• It reduces their ability to attack
• It gives you time to recover into position
Depth keeps you neutral or offensive in rallies.
Short balls put you instantly on defense.
The Margin Over the Net Concept
One of the best ways to improve depth is by adjusting your net clearance.
Many players try to hit too flat and too close to the net.
That approach increases errors and reduces consistency.
Instead, aim for 3–6 feet of net clearance.
This creates a higher arc on the ball, allowing it to land deep in the court while still staying inside the baseline.
Think of it like this:
Low net clearance = risky shots
Higher net clearance = deeper, safer pressure
You’re not just hitting harder.
You’re building a smarter rally.
How to Build Depth in Your Practice?
If you want to stop defending so much during matches, depth must become a training priority.
Try these simple drills.
– Deep Target Rally
Place cones or targets three feet inside the baseline.
During rallies, focus on landing your shots past the service line and toward those targets.
This trains your body to naturally produce deeper balls.
– High Margin Drill
During crosscourt rallies, aim to hit 4–5 feet above the net.
This improves both:
• Spin production
• Depth control
It also dramatically reduces unforced errors.
– Pressure Depth Drill
Start a rally where both players must keep the ball past the service line.
If a ball lands short, the other player can attack.
This drill quickly teaches how important depth really is.
The Players Who Control Depth Control the Rally
If you feel like you’re always defending during matches, look closely at where your shots are landing.
Are they landing near the service line?
Or are they pushing opponents deep behind the baseline?
The difference between those two locations often determines who controls the point.
Remember this simple rule:
Depth creates pressure.
And pressure creates opportunities to win points.
Want to Stop Playing Defense All Match?
If you feel like you’re constantly scrambling during rallies, it’s usually not because of poor technique, it’s because of court positioning and depth control.
Once you learn how to control rally depth, use smart net clearance, and recover into the right positions, the game becomes much easier. You’ll stop reacting to your opponent and start controlling the point instead.
That’s exactly what we work on in coaching sessions, building smarter patterns, better positioning, and stronger match confidence.
📩 Grab your FREE consultation: www.drfitness.fit
Let’s build a smarter game plan so you can step on the court with confidence and start winning more points.
