How to win against a lefty

How to win against a lefty

Right handed players have a number of significant disadvantages to contend with when they play against lefties. Experience is important in this case: while right handed players only contend with lefties on occasion, lefties play most of their matches against right handers.

Some of the more common tactics lefties use to make life difficult for right handed players include punishing the backhand with their crosscourt forehand, using wide serves to hinder backhand return of serve and directing backhand slice shots to the right-hander's backhand side in order to set up approach shots. Here are some useful tips that can give you the upper hand against a lefty.

1. Change your position when you return serve

Since left handers' spin on the serve swings to the left, many use it to great effect against right handers' backhands. When executed to a high standard, serves like these are very difficult for right handers to return well. As a result of this advantage, left handed players tend to be less practiced and less dangerous when it comes to serves down the middle. To neutralize their wide serve advantage, you should move toward the backhand side of the court, even if this means reducing your ability to cover the middle. You can also try to diminish the effects of the spin by coming in to hit the ball earlier.

2. Change your lob

A right handed player will normally seek to play lobs over the left hand side of his or her opponent. However, this standard behavior can prove very harmful against a left handed player, since that may afford your opponent the opportunity to smash. Practice lobbing to the right of your opponent so you can catch them on their weaker side.

3. Change your patterns of play

For left handed players, the crosscourt forehand to the opponent's backhand often wins matches. To avoid getting stuck in a pattern you are likely to lose, you have to disrupt the exchange between your backhand and their forehand. Avoid hitting to their forehand as much as possible. Try hitting your backhand more down the line, using the backhand slice for approach shots or hitting an inside-in forehand down the line to their backhand.

Right handers' lack of experience against left handed players often makes for a serious disadvantage. These three simple tactics above can be extremely useful in helping right handers to close the gap. Why not try them for yourself?

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