Getting to the Net in Singles

How and when to get to the net in singles and what to do once you get there

1. The best opportunity to transition from the baseline to the net is in response to a weak shot hit by your opponent and/or a situation where you have gained a significant positional advantage. You can close with deliberate intent with an approach shot with any ball but generally will have more success moving in behind a mid-court ball or a ball hit short of the service line. In response to a low bouncing, short ball, approach the net with a slice forehand or backhand hit down-the-line either deep or short of the service line (with sidespin to create angle). In response to a deeper, higher bouncing ball, hit a heavy, loopy topspin forehand or backhand approach shot deep and down-the-line. For disguise, delay your move into the net as your opponent looks up to track your shot. In response to a short ball hit to the middle of the court, hit your approach shot deep and down the middle (to take away possible angles).
2. You can close with deliberate intent following a serve (with a serve-and-volley pattern). You can move in immediately after hitting the serve or you can delay your approach to the net and close only on anticipated weak returns (such as when you successfully pull your opponent off the court with your serve). The goal is to hit one of three targets with your serve (out wide, middle T or at the body) to get your opponent in a disadvantaged position. 
3. You can close into the net after hitting a successful lob over the reach of your opponent. Be careful to not initially close too tightly into the net. You need to be in a position to cover a potential lob (which you can expect if your opponent is able to run down your lob).
4. You can close after hitting a drop shot or any shot your opponent has trouble reaching on the first bounce (knowing the next shot will most likely be short or popped up).
5. You can close into the net in any rally or point sequence after pulling your opponent off court.
6. You can be drawn into the net not necessarily on your own terms and without deliberate intent in response to a drop shot or a low bouncing shot hit well short of the service line. You have several options should you get to the ball quickly. If not, your best option is often something short and/or angled (i.e. respond to a drop shot with another drop shot).
7. There are also strategic situations where you should come to the net or more frequently come to the net. It may be necessary to come to the net more frequently and perhaps not to your preference to strategically counter an aggressive opponent who looks to command the net and is not as comfortable playing from the baseline. The goal is to get to the net prior to your opponent and in doing so, pin your opponent back in a defensive position from the baseline. It may be necessary to come to the net more frequently when playing an opponent who is steady and rarely misses in your baseline exchanges. Coming to the net to take away time and to shorten the length of each rally may be your only chance to win. And it may smart to judiciously come to the net more frequently when playing an opponent who has solid retrieval skills but does not have the tools to hurt or pass you at the net.
8. There are general principles to follow once you get to the net. In closing, follow the line of your ball. Split (or square off to face your opponent with a dynamic split step) as your opponent is about to strike the ball to get a read on where the next shot is going and where you will need to be to intercept this next shot. The pace, spin, location, depth, and trajectory (penetration and effectiveness) of your approach shot, lob, drop shot or serve will determine how much you can then close both before and after the split step. Hit a shot difficult for your opponent to lift, close in more tightly. Hit a shot easier to lift, create a little more space between you and the net. Whatever the choice, always look to close as tight as you can to the net with your volley.
9. When responding to a ball above the net, drive your first volley deep to the weak side of your opponent. Close following the line of your ball and then hit a sharply angled or deep volley to the open court. When responding to a ball below the net, hit your volley deep and down-the-line. Close and follow the line of the ball to cover the line and a down-the-line passing shot. Then finish by hitting a sharply angled (short of the service line) or deep volley to the opposite side/corner of the court. Your ability to hit angled volleys (or any volley) will improve the closer you get to the net. Be alert to back off the net in recovery should you not finish the point with your previous volley.
10. In response to an extremely difficult ball shot hit at your feet, use an outside/in pattern with side spin to angle the ball short and down-the-line. Back off the net slightly anticipating a lob (should your opponent be able to run down your volley). Next, hit your overhead or volley to the open court.