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Most recreational level players harbor a basic misunderstanding of the how and why of transitioning from a rallying mode of play to an attacking mode of play.

Rallying is purely keeping the ball in play from a position near or well behind the baseline as you jockey for geometrical advantage.

The margin of safety over the net during a rally in singles is three to six feet, and playing well away from the lines is the mind set of a good rallier.

There’s no expectation of winning the point with a rallying shot unless one is playing an incompetent or impatient opponent and even then it’s their mistake that awards you the point and not your aggressive placement or shot speed.

If you have gained some advantage in the rally, either your opponent has not recovered to a good defensive rallying position of their own, or has played a weak and shallow ball back to you, only then do you raise the battle flag and attack.

There are two modes of attack to apply according to the situation your opponent has presented you.

The challenge play, which consists of a lower, more aggressively placed and perhaps a bit faster ground stroke from you if the opponent is lazily positioned, or the approach shot and volley play if the opponent has set you up with a weak and invitingly shallow ball.

Don’t confuse the challenge play with the approach play!

The challenge play is done from fairly deep in your back court and isn’t followed to net for a put away volley but is designed to be the first strike in a two or three shot groundstroke barrage to win the point.

The approach play is intended to end with you in the kill zone (eight to 10 feet from the net) putting away an aggressively struck or fiendishly placed volley to win the point.

The key to success is to be patient enough to win the skirmish of the rally and then apply the tactically appropriate mode of attack that the moment requires.

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Howie Burnett is a member of the United States Professional Tennis Association and tennis director at the Island Country Club on Marco Island. Burnett welcomes questions on strokes, tactics or etiquette. To reach him, call the tennis shop at 394-4464 or e-mail him at islandclubtennis@hotmail.com.