Grass is the fastest surface in the game. Long rallies are rare, so whoever rushes net is more likely to win the point. This is how Pete Sampras won seven singles titles and Martina Navratilova amassed nine singles titles at the All England Club. And the pros who will compete at Wimbledon starting Monday are prepping their net games this week.

Along with serves, volleys and overheads, one of the key parts of an effective net rusher's game is understanding the approach shot. And one of the first things you should learn on the approach is where to place the ball. You have three choices:

Down the line: This is the classic, bread-and-butter approach shot used by all good net rushers. Here's why: By coming in behind a down-the-line shot you minimize the amount of court you'll have to cover in anticipation of your opponent's likely attempt at a passing shot. Unless he hits a sharply angled return crosscourt, you should be able to get your racquet on most balls when you approach down the line. Even at the recreational level, most of your approaches should be directed this way.

Crosscourt: Though used infrequently, approaching on the diagonal can be effective in the right situation. This is a good choice if the court is wide open for you to go crosscourt, or your opponent has a particularly weak side or can't hit effectively down the line. But because this approach leaves a big hole down the line for your opponent to hit into, be careful and use this shot sparingly.

Up the middle: If you're facing an opponent who has good crosscourt passing shots, take away his or her angles by approaching up the middle. While this is not too common these days, it is a sensible choice because it limits your opponent's options for hitting a passing shot. The downside is that it may also limit your own choices for the volley, leaving you with no clear target.

The next time you are ready to come to the net, be sure to consider all your options.

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