How to beat a banger
Bangers hit every ball hard. Learn how to slow the game down, use blocks and resets, let balls go out and turn their power against them.
What a banger is
A banger is a player who drives almost every ball as hard as possible, often from the baseline. At beginner and lower intermediate levels, banging wins a lot of points because opponents are not ready. As your skill grows, the right tactics turn a banger's power into their biggest weakness.
Principle 1: get to the net
Hard drives from the baseline are much easier to handle when you are at the kitchen line with your paddle up. From there, the ball has to travel up and over the net and you can block it down. If you are stuck at the baseline, you are playing their game. Use deep returns to buy time and get forward.
Principle 2: block, do not swing
When a hard ball comes at you, you do not need to add power. Present a firm paddle face, relax your grip and block the ball softly into the kitchen. A soft block forces the banger to hit up from below the net, which takes away their power.
- Paddle up in front of your chest.
- Short or no backswing.
- Slightly open face, soft hands.
- Aim low into the kitchen.
See the reset and the volley.
Principle 3: let balls go
Bangers miss long and wide often. Balls hit hard from below the net with no topspin frequently sail out. Practice recognizing balls heading above your shoulders toward the baseline and let them go. Many matches against bangers are won on their errors.
Principle 4: keep the ball low
A banger needs a ball that sits up. Keep your shots low and soft: drops, dinks and resets. Give them nothing to hit hard. A low ball near their feet means they must lift it, and a lifted ball is your chance to attack.
Principle 5: target them deliberately
- Hit to their backhand, which is often weaker for power players.
- Hit short to draw them forward, since many bangers are uncomfortable at the kitchen.
- Hit to their feet when they move forward.
Tactics table
| Banger's habit | Your counter |
|---|---|
| Drives every third shot | Stay at the net, block into the kitchen |
| Hits from the baseline | Keep your returns deep |
| Swings big at the net | Dink low, wait for the miss |
| Hits flat with no spin | Let high balls go |
| Rushes forward after driving | Reset at their feet |
Mental game
Bangers can be intimidating. Remind yourself that hard balls are often easier to block than soft ones, and that each error they make is a free point. Stay calm, stay low and keep the ball in play. Talk with your partner about who takes the middle, since bangers often aim between players. See communication.
Drill
Block wall: one player drives from mid-court, the other stands at the kitchen line and blocks every ball into the kitchen. Count 20 successful blocks, then switch. Add a rule: let any ball above shoulder height go, and check where it lands.
Hard drives at close range can hit eyes. Many players wear sports eyewear, and it is especially worth doing against heavy hitters.