🎾 Story of the Week
You can set your watch by the pusher-bashing that happens at every tournament.
And why does it happen?
Because pushers win—often in ways that feel frustrating or aesthetically unappealing to watch or play against.
But why the real animosity?
Is it the slow pace? The high looping shots? The single-minded, ultra-defensive mindset?
Whatever the reason, I too once looked down on pushers. But those days are long gone.
There’s actually a lot to learn from the pusher—and if you want to beat one, the first step is to think like one.
🧠 Floor vs. Ceiling
Let’s begin by understanding the concept of floor vs. ceiling—a helpful framework for thinking about a player’s range of outcomes.
- Floor = the lowest level you can play at
- Ceiling = the highest level you’re capable of reaching
A player with a low floor might lose to a wide range of opponents. A player with a high floor rarely loses to players below a certain level.
Similarly, a low ceiling player may never beat stronger opponents, while a high ceiling player has the ability to “punch up” and score big wins.
Another way to think about this:
- Ceiling = Offense
- Floor = Defense
If you favor ceiling, you’re probably an aggressive shotmaker who thrives on dictating points. If you focus on floor, you’re likely more risk-averse—winning through patience, consistency, and defense.
Pushers are all about the floor. They sacrifice their ceiling (and flashiness) for reliability and safety.
And that’s why pushers get a bad rap: many players—and fans—gravitate toward explosive offense.
But here’s the truth:
Tennis isn’t won with highlights. It’s won with consistency.
The pusher understands this better than most.
Instead of going for low-percentage winners, the pusher uses spin, placement, and margin to force you to prove you can beat them.
They remove risk and create certainty—and that gives them control.
🤔 Pusher vs. Grinder
Let’s be clear:
A pusher is not the same as a grinder.
- A pusher plays a decelerated, ultra-safe style, often with technical limitations but short-term tactical success.
- A grinder, by contrast, knows how to swing. They’re athletic, consistent, and make the strategic choice to defend and counterpunch.
Pushers have high floors but limited ceilings. Grinders? They can have both.
At Colossal Tennis, we train our players not to push—but to grind at a high level. We build future champions by developing:
- Offensive, all-court skills (to raise the ceiling)
- High-level consistency and control (to raise the floor)
Without elite counterpunching skills, no player is truly complete.
✅ How to Beat a Pusher
Whatever you call them, you still have to beat them. Here’s the recipe:
Step 1: Patience
Pushers want to frustrate you. They want you to hurry up and implode. So… don’t.
Be calm. Accept that rallies will be longer. You’re there to play anyway—so what’s the rush?
Settle in. Be intentional. Build points.
Step 2: Play the Percentages
Pushers win when you self-destruct.
So beat them with consistency and smart targets:
- High margins over the net
- Safe targets well inside the lines
- Heavy cross-courts over the lowest part of the net to the longest part of the court
Then, when you’ve earned a short ball—go on the attack.
Step 3: Take Time and Space
Moonballs are designed to push you back.
Instead, take time away by:
- Hitting on the rise (before the bounce peaks)
- Taking the ball out of the air—with a volley or swinging volley
This neutralizes their rhythm and puts you on offense.
Step 4: Draw Them In
Pushers live on the baseline. It’s their comfort zone.
So change the game from east-west (side-to-side) to north-south (forward-backward).
Use:
- Short slices
- Drop shots
- Mid-court bait
Then counterpunch with a passing shot or lob.
Most pushers hate the net—and pulling them out of their comfort zone gives you a huge edge.
💡 Final Thoughts
Honestly? I hope you draw lots of pushers.
Why?
Because the struggle of beating them will force you to raise your game. You’ll sharpen your patience, your patterns, your discipline—and unlock both a higher ceiling and stronger floor.
Let me know if you enjoyed this issue—and please share our free Aces & Faults newsletter with someone who could benefit:
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To the moonball! 🌝
