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Into your corner: side glass, then back glass. Where does it come out?
Side glass then back glass: the ball comes out diagonally toward the middle. Step away from the corner.
A ball bounces and hits your side glass first, then the back glass. Where should you set up to play it?
Side glass then back glass: the ball comes out diagonally toward the middle. Step away from the corner.
Why
The double wall, side glass then back glass, is the most confusing ball for new players and the most predictable once you see it. Each wall reflects the ball, so after two walls it comes out on a diagonal heading back toward the centre of the court, roughly parallel to its incoming path. The player's job is to get out of the corner, moving toward the middle and slightly forward, so the ball comes to them rather than past them. Stay in the corner and it runs away from you; move to the middle and it arrives at a comfortable height.
What this means at your level
Beginner
When the ball goes into your corner, step toward the middle of the court and wait. It will come out to you.
Intermediate
Read the first wall. Side glass first: the ball comes out toward the middle. Back glass first: it comes out along the side.
Advanced
The corner ball off two walls is often a lob opportunity because it gives you time. Use it to hit the deepest, highest lob of the rally.
Common questions
A ball bounces and hits your side glass first, then the back glass. Where should you set up to play it?
Toward the middle. It comes out diagonally from the corner. Side glass then back glass: the ball comes out diagonally toward the middle. Step away from the corner. The double wall, side glass then back glass, is the most confusing ball for new players and the most predictable once you see it. Each wall reflects the ball, so after two walls it comes out on a diagonal heading back toward the centre of the court, roughly parallel to its incoming path. The player's job is to get out of the corner, moving toward the middle and slightly forward, so the ball comes to them rather than past them. Stay in the corner and it runs away from you; move to the middle and it arrives at a comfortable height.
Why not into the corner, right where the walls meet?
The corner is where the ball was. It comes out from there toward the middle; if you are in the corner, it is going away from you.
What should a beginner do here?
When the ball goes into your corner, step toward the middle of the court and wait. It will come out to you.
How does this change for an advanced player?
The corner ball off two walls is often a lob opportunity because it gives you time. Use it to hit the deepest, highest lob of the rally.
Puzzles like this one
The ball is at your feet at the net. What now?
A ball below the net cannot be attacked. Block it deep and wait for one above the tape.
beginnerThe ball is coming off the back glass. When do you hit it?
Move back with the ball, let it pass you, hit it in front of your body.
beginnerThe ball bounced then hit your own back glass. Still in play?
One bounce on the floor, then any number of walls. Only a second floor bounce ends the point.