Singles: Outplay First Striker

Facing off against an aggressive “first-strike” player in tennis? No sweat! Here’s a friendly playbook to help you take charge of the game and turn the tables in your favor:

1. **Master Your Serve Return**: These players thrive on weak returns, so practice returning serves with depth and precision. Keep those returns deep in the court to keep them from launching quick attacks.

2. **Depth Beats Power**: Forget trying to outmuscle them. Instead, focus on hitting your groundstrokes deep into the court. Deep shots force your opponent back, making it tougher for them to pull off aggressive angles or rush to the net.

3. **Change It Up**: Mix it up with different paces and spins to throw them off their game. Use slices, topspin, and shifts in speed to make it harder for them to set up those killer shots.

4. **Play Smart Tennis**: Stick to the safer parts of the court; don’t take overly risky shots. Keeping the ball in play and making them hit more balls can lead to errors, especially if they’re not fans of longer rallies.

5. **Defense Wins Games**: Sharpen your defensive skills, including those on-the-run shots and lobs. This will help you extend rallies and throw them off their rhythm. Good defense can even turn the tables, especially if they’re not used to prolonged exchanges.

6. **Go After That Second Serve**: If their second serve isn’t their strong suit, pounce on it! Step in and take control of the point early. This puts pressure on their serve and might lead to double faults or weaker serves.

7. **Position Wisely**: Get smart with your positioning. Anticipate where they like to send the ball and position yourself accordingly. Sometimes, that means stepping back on powerful serves or adjusting your court position based on their patterns.

8. **Stay Mentally Tough**: Keep your cool and stay patient. First-strike players love it when opponents get frustrated and make errors. But if you stay focused on your game plan and stay mentally strong, you can really get under their skin and force those unforced errors.

The trick is to make the first-strike player play on your terms, making them hit more balls and taking them out of their comfort zone. This game plan calls for solid baseline play, strategic serving, mental sharpness, and some serious physical conditioning for those longer rallies. With these tactics, you can confidently counter the aggressive style of a first-strike player. Go show ’em what you’ve got!