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A smash is coming at you. What is your job?
You are not trying to win this ball. You are trying to still be in the point two shots from now.
They have a comfortable smash and you are defending at the back. What are you actually trying to do?
You are not trying to win this ball. You are trying to still be in the point two shots from now.
Why
A good smash is not returned with a good shot, it is survived. Back up early so the ball can bounce and come off the glass to you, take it after it has passed you, and put it back high, deep and cross. That single ball turns their attack into another rally, and pairs that can do it reliably win far more matches than pairs who try to counter-punch.
What this means at your level
Beginner
Get back and get your racket up in front of you. Even a bad return that goes high and lands in is a win on this ball.
Intermediate
Watch where the smash will bounce, not where it is now. Position for the rebound, not for the impact.
Advanced
Against a flat smash into the body, the answer is a short backhand block with the racket face open and the elbow tucked: no swing at all. Save the full defensive lob for the kicked smash that gives you time off the glass.
Common questions
They have a comfortable smash and you are defending at the back. What are you actually trying to do?
Give it room, play the rebound high and deep. You are not trying to win this ball. You are trying to still be in the point two shots from now. A good smash is not returned with a good shot, it is survived. Back up early so the ball can bounce and come off the glass to you, take it after it has passed you, and put it back high, deep and cross. That single ball turns their attack into another rally, and pairs that can do it reliably win far more matches than pairs who try to counter-punch.
Why not charge forward and take it early?
Taking a smash on the rise from close range is how rackets end up in faces. Depth is your friend here.
What should a beginner do here?
Get back and get your racket up in front of you. Even a bad return that goes high and lands in is a win on this ball.
How does this change for an advanced player?
Against a flat smash into the body, the answer is a short backhand block with the racket face open and the elbow tucked: no swing at all. Save the full defensive lob for the kicked smash that gives you time off the glass.
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.