Taking the Ball Early on the Rise: Complete Guide

Taking the ball early on the rise is one of the highest-leverage skills in tennis — and one of the least practiced at the recreational level. Players who master this skill take time away from their opponents, cut off angles and dictate play from inside the baseline. This guide covers the mindset, benefits, footwork fundamentals and the specific drill Randy Reynolds uses with his students at Tennis Nation at Reno Tennis Center.

Taking the Ball Early: The “Go To” Mindset

Taking the ball on the rise is a mindset that takes focus and determination. Moving to the ball is more demanding on the body than waiting for it — which is why so many recreational players default to letting the ball come to them. It simply feels easier.

But consider the greatest athletes in their sports:

• Dennis Rodman — went up aggressively for rebounds, never waited for the ball to come to him
• Wes Welker — moved toward the football on crossing routes rather than slowing down
• Andre Agassi and Roger Federer — moved into the court and attacked the ball on the rise, taking swinging volleys on floaters rather than waiting for the bounce

All of the athletes above have the “go to” mindset — they are more aggressive and more likely to dictate play. The same principle applies directly to your tennis game.

Taking the Ball Early: Benefits

Pressure on Your Opponent

• Opponent has less time to react and set up for the incoming ball
• Makes the opponent pay for short or floating balls immediately
• Being closer to the net allows you to produce sharper angles, forcing your opponent to cover more court

Better Positioning and Control

• Cut off your opponent’s angles — less court to cover on your end
• Positions you closer to the net for a more offensive, attacking game
• Greater control over ball height and contact point
• Minimize the impact of spin — taking a kick serve or slice serve early prevents the ball from moving outside your strike zone
• A simplified backswing handles hard-hit balls more effectively and reduces unforced errors

Taking the Ball on the Rise: Best Practices

• Stand close to the baseline and move forward to dictate play — adjust back only when your opponent hits with good depth
• Simplify your backswing — take the racquet back far enough to load, but no further. A shorter backswing improves timing and comfort on early contact
• Bend your knees on low balls — lower your center of gravity rather than bending at the waist to maintain balance and posture
• Watch your opponent’s body language and strings before contact — cues like a reaching stretch or open racquet face often telegraph a short or floating ball, giving you time to move in early

Taking the Ball Early: Footwork and Setup Tips

Taking the ball early requires the same great footwork used on all your strokes — and then some. Key footwork principles:

• Split step before your opponent’s contact — loads your legs and allows explosive reaction toward the ball
• Use adjustment steps as you approach the ball to find the optimal setup point
• Last step forward into the court — not sideways. A forward last step allows your hips to rotate through the ball. A sideways step restricts hip rotation and limits power
• Keep your head still through contact — if your head changes elevation or moves horizontally at contact, your racquet head follows and miss-hits result

The Drill for Taking the Ball Early on the Rise

This is the drill Randy uses most often to develop this skill with his students. It is physically demanding — keep sessions focused and short to maintain quality.

• Step 1: Position yourself two feet inside the baseline
• Step 2: Begin rallying with your partner from that position
• Step 3: Move forward on every short ball and take it on the rise

Low balls: Lower your center of gravity with your knees and hit your groundstrokes. Adjust back only when absolutely necessary to let the ball rise to your preferred contact point.

Balls that sail long: Practice your swinging volley. This develops the skill of attacking floating balls and improves hand-eye coordination.

Taking the Ball Early: What You Need to Develop

Through consistent practice of the best practices and drill above, you will improve these key skills:

• Read the ball sooner
• Set up for the stroke earlier
• Improve timing and hand-eye coordination
• Move quickly and efficiently to the ball
• Hit with more topspin — when inside the baseline the court distance is shorter, so more spin is needed to keep the ball in play

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Frequently Asked Questions About Taking the Ball Early in Tennis