Taking the Ball Early

Key Points

• Setting up early, creating space, and using a shorter backswing are vital when you aim to take the ball early
• When taking the ball early, aim for big targets to maintain your margins instead of reducing them
• It's important to recover quickly when you're taking the ball early, so you're not caught inside the baseline hitting half volleys
• Recovering to a base position further back allows you to track the ball earlier and better recognize opportunities to step in “not being rushed allows you to rush your opponent”
• Taking the ball early does not mean you should opt for low percentage shots