How to Beat a Counterpuncher

The counterpuncher is one of the more feared opponents. I have personally struggled many times against this type of player, and I see my students go through many of the same struggles that I did.

Know the style: Counter Puncher.

The mental shift before the first ball

There is an important mental shift you need when playing this type of player. Think a little like a businessperson running the numbers. Reality check of what is probably going to happen:

• You are going to play longer points than normal
• They are not going to go for a whole lot of winners or risky shots
• There will be a lot of floating deep balls from them on defense
• Points will be reset to neutral
• You will be passed when you come in

You must be aware of your skill set. If you normally make 6 out of 10 big forehands, know going in that this is what you have to work with - do not expect 10 out of 10 and then tilt when you miss.

Once your mind accepts those conditions - and you are prepared to go for three hours if necessary - then it is time to impose your style, with the goal of creating a small margin: 52 points won, 48 lost. That is often enough.

Nine tactics for the aggressive baseliner

1. Controlled aggression with margin to big targets, looking to complete the Half-X pattern
2. Take the ball out of the air - volley or drive. Not always to win the point from there, but to keep the deep defensive ball from pushing you way behind the baseline
3. Take the ball on the rise. Keep control of the middle by redirecting - more about center control than instant winners
4. Big inside-out forehand to set up the forehand inside-in
5. When the ball is in the middle, take time away with excellent recognition and footwork, and drive to the weaker side
6. Go back behind them when you pull the trigger with the forehand weapon
7. Move them forward and backward - not only side to side
8. Keep first-serve percentage high, and first-ball forehand percentage high
9. Attack the second serve and dictate with the forehand

Practice the matchup

• Live sets with a reset rule: if the point returns to neutral after you attack, you must rebuild patiently once before re-attacking
• Out-of-air basket: floating deep balls you must take early
• On-the-rise redirects to big targets (not lines first - margins first)
• Serve + 1 with a high first-serve requirement (e.g. 70% in before you can play free points)

I hope this helps your next battle with a counterpuncher.

For the reverse matchup, see How to Beat an Aggressive Baseliner.