The serve/volley and chip/charge styles of tennis normally appear only during grass tournaments like Wimbledon, and when the tournament is played on a fast surface like carpet. Let's face it. Most modern players are baseline oriented, and rarely move to the net unless forced to come to the net.
 
Actually, there are some good reasons why the "net game" has diminished. First, modern racquets and string technology have made the power more viable for all players. In the hands of pros, these tools are certainly capable of generating incredible pace. When imparting of the right amount of topspin, pros on both tours can be reasonable certain that there shots will land in bounds despite this increase in power.
 
As a result of this increased power, it is very difficult for players to be able to play serve/volley or chip/charge. The consequence of this power is that it is extremely difficult to close the net in the modern game without being passed. More often than not, the net player finds herself/himself deeper in the court than she/he would like to be when they strike the first volley... assuming that the net player is not passed. Being one step deeper in the court can be a huge problem for the net player.
 
On surfaces like grass and indoor carpets, pace may actually be less of a problem for the net player. Why? Well on these surfaces, the ball does not bounce as high. Thus, it is more difficult for the groundstroke-oriented opponent to be able to setup and tee off on a ball.
 
Coupled with this low bounce on grass, we see that the bounce may actually be more unpredictable as the tournament progresses and the courts begin to develop divots and dry patches. At Wimbledon, center court is quite a mess of pits, valleys and irregular spots. In part, this is why the latter matches in this great tournament are so difficult to win. The serve/volley player is at an advantage because she/he attempts to never let the ball bounce on her/his side of the net.
 
Also, fast surfaces favor the big server. Wimbledon has slowed down the speed of the games played on their grass by literally changing the type of grass. Still, the big serve at Wimbledon is still extremely difficult to return. The same is true with carpet surfaces. The serve is truly explosive off of an indoor carpet court. When returning serve is difficult, there is less likelihood that the return of serve will be hit in a manner that is threatening to the serve/volley player.
 
Whenever the return of serve can be an outright winner, the net game player is vulnerable. Net players need time to get to the net for their first volley whether they are serving/ volleying or chipping back a return of serve. In major measure, this is why one does not see as much net play on hard courts, and certainly, the net game is difficult to employ on slower surfaces like clay.
 
Still, there is a place for the net player in the modern game of tennis. One can play successful serve/volley and chip/charge strategies on hard courts. I am not certain that this approach can be as successfully employed on clay. But, you will see this net game played on some points at Roland Garros.
 
With this in mind, this month's column will attempt to help the reader improve his/her success with respect to net play. In my discussion, I am assuming that the player is likely to be playing on a medium to fast speed hard court. At least in the United States, this seems to be the most common surface upon which players of all levels will compete.
 
It should be noted that one does not have to commit to a net game on every point. Indeed, I would encourage players to occasionally play a serve/volley or chip/charge point every now and then, just to keep the opponent honest. Of course if this is not a comfortable style of play for you, don't go to these tactics on critical points. Rather, mix these in at times when you are up 40-Love or 40-15. If you lose the point, you have not put yourself in danger. Even if you do lose the point, it may unsettle your opponent who is not expecting net play.
 
As a backup strategy, going to the serve/volley and chip/charge approaches can be very useful. Let's say you are significantly behind in a match. You have tried various modifications in your tactical approach, but to no positive avail. Well moving to a full net game that is played on every point may be just what is needed to turn the tide. Desperate situations require desperate measures. For most of us, the net game is more of a desperate measure than a comfortable starting point.
 
This said, let's start examining what needs to be done and known to develop your net game.
 
First, you must have reasonably good volleys. If you are like many modern, recreational players and spend little time practicing and perfecting your volleys, you will likely not succeed when attempting to employ a net game approach. Second, you need good approach shots. Usually, forehand or backhand approach shots that are hit with lots of biting slice are best. Why? Well, these approach shots do not bounce high. They usually prevent the opponent from really hitting out on her/his reply, and they usually force the opponent to hit a shot with a little less pace.
 
When hitting approach shots off of either wing, it is usually best to hit deep into your opponent's court and down the line. The geometry associated with this makes the likelihood of your hitting a good first volley greater. Of course, you only want to hit an approach shot IF it forces your opponent to have to move (preferably run hard) to make a reply!
 
In the diagrams below, you can see the range of reply for the opponent (Y) when you (X) approach down the line. Although there is the possibility that the opponent will reply with a wide shot, this is extremely unlikely. Why? Well, the opponent is moving, if not running, to make his/her reply. As such, the extreme cross court angle is not very likely to be executable. So by following the path of the ball, you are automatically positioned in the exact middle of likely returns... which most often will be directed to the center of the court of the net to down the line. Line A represents the realistic return crosscourt. Sure, there are times when very wide reply crosscourt will be made... but it is not all that likely.