Controlling Time and Balance to Win

Written By

Krishn Panchal

RSPA Elite Professional

For recreational players through about the 4.0 level, one of the simplest ways to think about taking control of a point is to focus on two things: time and balance. The same idea holds at higher levels, but the disguises and patterns become more detailed.

When players tell me they “can’t finish points,” it’s usually not because they’re missing some secret shot. More often, they’re letting the other side stay comfortable: plenty of time to set up, plenty of balance at contact and a clear look at where the ball is going. Comfortable opponents hit clean, aggressive balls. Uncomfortable opponents float, chip, bail out or miss.

If you want to feel in charge of more points, especially in doubles, keep coming back to two levers: take away your opponent’s time, or take away their balance.

The Big Picture: What ‘Control’ Really Means

Control doesn’t mean blasting winners. It means dictating what your opponents can and can’t do next. Rush them and their swing shortens. Pull them off balance and they defend instead of attack. Do both and you’ll see a lot more short balls and errors.

The best part: You don’t need pro‑level pace to create pressure. You need a plan for when to speed the point up — and when to slow it down for yourself.

How to Take Away Time

Take the ball early (hit on the rise).
When you take the ball earlier (right after the bounce while it’s still rising), you reduce your opponent’s reaction time and recovery time. The point feels faster to them even if your ball speed doesn’t change.

A simple rule for intermediate players: If you can take it early without losing control, do it. If taking it early makes you spray balls, take a step back and reset. “On the rise” should feel compact: shorter backswing, steady head and contact slightly out in front.

In doubles, aim at the baseliner’s feet.
One of the best “time thieves” is a ball down at the baseline player’s shoelaces, especially when they’re trying to be aggressive from the back. A low contact point forces a shorter swing and often produces a pop-up your partner can pick off.

This doesn’t have to be a laser. A firm ball that lands deep and stays low is enough.

Use angles that speed the point up.
Angles aren’t just about pulling someone wide. They’re about how quickly the ball gets to a tougher spot. A medium-paced ball hit wide crosscourt can still take away time because the opponent has to cover more ground and recover more slowly for the next shot.

One practical play: When you get a high ball, step in and drive it wider (not necessarily harder). High balls are invitations to move your opponent.

How to Take Away Balance

Make them run and reach.
There’s a big difference between making someone run and making them run and reach. If you can force contact outside their strike zone (stretched wide, jammed or low), they rarely hit an aggressive reply. They’ll block, float, chip or lob to survive.

A good cue: When you see an opponent reaching at full extension, expect a weaker ball and be ready to step forward and take time away on the next shot.

The Other Half of Smart Tennis: Buy Yourself Time

Not every ball should be taken early. Sometimes the smartest move is the opposite: create time for yourself. When you’re under pressure, take one or two steps back, let the ball drop into a comfortable strike zone and send a higher, deeper ball that resets the rally.

Buying time keeps you from forcing low‑percentage shots. In doubles, it also helps you read movement cues, similar to a poacher creeping across the middle or a player leaning to protect the line. Steal time when you’re stable; buy time when you’re not.

What to Practice to Make This Real: Four Priorities

You don’t need ten new drills. You need a few skills you can trust under pressure. Here are four that connect directly to taking away time and balance.

1. Early contact you can control (on the rise)
   Rally crosscourt at a controlled pace and focus on meeting the ball just after the bounce. Keep the swing compact and let your legs do the work. If you’re late, shorten the backswing — not the follow-through. The goal is earlier contact with a clean, repeatable strike.
2. One doubles “pressure ball”: deep and low to the baseliner’s feet
   In practice sets, pick a simple play you and your partner can repeat: When you’re stable, drive a firm ball through the middle or down at the baseline player’s feet. Talk about it before you play so your partner can move with confidence when they see it.
3. First volley and transition positioning
   The first two priorities are the options you use to get to the service line. Now, groove a firm service-line volley you can make repeatedly to a big target so you or your partner can step in and close. One of my favorite live-ball drills is that you’re only allowed to swing hard when you’re inside the service line; everywhere else you must place the ball.

A Quick Checklist for Match Play

Between points, keep it simple:

• Can I take time away right now (early contact, low at feet, wide angle)?
• If not, can I take balance away (make them stretch, hit low, move them twice)?
• If neither, can I buy time and reset (higher, deeper, safer)?

Make that a habit and points stop feeling random — you start steering them.