• Gets opponent out off the "T" area into the corner (providing the ball is close to the wall).
•  Allows the player to occupy the "T".
• Makes it difficult for the opponent to take the initiative/attack.
• Makes it easier to apply pressure on the opponent.
• Makes the player going into the back corners run more.

View Drive Technique

Tight length drive from the front of the court
The main point in this front court drive is to keep the ball tight and deep. Provided the ball :

• Is tight to the side wall it will prevent the opponent attacking, as well as limit the return options.
•  "Dies" in the back corner, it will also prevent the opponent attacking the return.

Forehand Drive - Deep tight length

Backhand Drive -Tight deep length

• Gets you out of trouble when stuck in the corner.
• Gives you time to recover.
• Breaks up the pace.
• Upsets people who like a fast game – it makes them stop and wait; since it doesn’t give any pace and therefore requires your opponent to make a “full” stroke at the ball.
• Slows the game down.
• Helps you get a “second wind”.

View Lob Technique

The toss from the front court can becoming a passive but attacking shot if played high, tight, and soft.

Observing the points in this shot:

• The player is forced into a tight situation in the front of the court.
• The toss has enabled the player time to get back into position.
• The toss is high (unable to be volleyed by opponent)
• Ball lands softly into the back corner (difficult  to return)
• The player who hit the toss is now well back into position "ready" to take advantage of the weaker return.
  

The toss can take the pressure off

The toss can get you out of trouble

A Cross court from the back of the court

• Sends opponent to the back of the court.
• Helps you get to the T.
• Gives you time to recover to the centre.
• Slows down the game.
• Can frustrate your opponent.
• Moves the opponent away from you to prevent crowding.

Be careful, the opponent does not intercept the ball, especially if the shot is play too often.

• To force the opponent to hit the ball on the volley.
• Gives time for the Server to move to the centre court.
• A lob serve that is soft, and touches the side wall, can force a weak return.
• A lob serve can open up the court for a drop shot, reverse boast or tickle boast.
• Gives a chance for the ball to cool off, especially in a hot climate.
• A soft lob serve that is left to bounce can be a winner as it then forces the opponent to boast.
• A lob serve can conserve energy.
• A tight log serve can require more energy on the part of the opponent (a valuable asset in the 5th game).
• No pace on a serve requires better technique to return as it requires a full swing at the ball.
  

It is a recommended serve and worth spending time practising the speed, height and angle.  Lob Serve technique

From the front with opponent behind

• Be patient for the “right ball”.
• Needs good balance.
• If in doubt of the position of your opponent play length until they hit a loose ball and are held behind you.
• Difficult to play off a tight ball.
• Reply to a boast is a drop.
• Reply to a drop is a toss.

Drop – from the back of the court.

• Catches those who do not watch the ball.
• It is a surprise shot for those who “back pedal” from the front of the court.
• Reverse boast can have same effect as drop on a loose ball.

View Drop Technique

Variety of opportunities from the front corner

To keep an element of mistrust and disguise in your game it is essential to be able to play an array of shots from the same position on court, with a limited amount of cues.  Some points:

• Prepare consistently for each shot
• The earlier the ball is hit the more attack in the shot
• The delay in striking the ball can bring about more deception
• Having an open racket allows for drops, lobs and boasts to happen in a split second.

Kill from the front of the court
You will see in this video there are opportunities to play a number of shots from this position.  The kill is ideal if the ball has a reasonable bounce, as it gets the ball away very quickly, and if it strikes the nick will make a return very difficult, as well as the opponent will be held behind. 
If by any chance the opponent realises what shot is being played, it is easy to change the direction of the hit to the opposite corner, or even a cross court.

Keep your opponent guessing on the backhand

Opportunities from the front corner

Backhand Kill to finish off a rally

• Brings your opponent forward – you can get to the T.
• Helps to twist and turn and unbalance your opponent.
• Helps you get to the centre court.
• Makes opponent run up and down the court.
• It angles off the side wall and is more difficult to judge.
• Use boasts and tosses from the front and back court to twist and turn your opponent and break up a deep driving game.
• Reply to a boast from the back of the court – a drop.
• So always follow up the shot and be ready to run.

View Boast Technique

• It speeds up the game.
• You can hog the centre of the court.
• Keeps you in front and forces your opponent back.
• It is vital when trying to attack.
• It is an aggressive, decisive shot.
• It causes your opponent to feel rushed for time and not able to think as quickly – panic.

More on Volley Technique

Volley Drop off a cross court

• Intercept the ball early
• Keep the racket head controlled
• Have the racket face slightly open
• Cut the ball into the corner
• Try to angle the ball along the wall

Volley Drop off a Power Serve

• Watch the server closely
• Be prepared to move quickly
• Move into the shot as soon as possible
• Keep the racket head controlled
• Limit the amount of backswing
• Use the speed of the ball to get the power
• Aim for the ball to die into the corner

Volley Nick
This shot is best executed when the player in around the middle of the court, and has the opponent held behind.  Even if the opponent does return this shot it is most likely to be defensive.

Volley drop off power serve

Get the volley drop to die in the corner

Backhand Volley Nick

• Catches those who hang back.
• Moves opponent to the opposite front corner quickly.
• A tight volley boast can force a weak return.
• Use as a surprise, to a length volley.

About a volley boast

The Volley Boast is an excellent shot to speed up the game; it makes the opponent move quicker, it brings the opponent forward, and it creates opportunites to attack.

Backhand Volley Boast

Take the ball before it gets into the corner