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Against a pair that hits hard, how far from the glass do you stand?
Hard hitters: stand further from the glass. The rebound comes out further and you want it arriving, not passing.
The opponents hit hard, flat volleys and smashes. Where should your defensive position be relative to the back glass?
Hard hitters: stand further from the glass. The rebound comes out further and you want it arriving, not passing.
Why
Defensive depth is set by how the ball is coming, not by a fixed spot. Against hard, flat hitters the ball reaches the glass with pace and rebounds a long way, often past the service line, so the defender stands further from the wall than usual, letting the ball come out to them. Against soft, sliced hitters the opposite applies: the ball dies near the wall and the defender stands closer, ready to take it early. Most defensive errors against hard hitters come from standing too close to the glass and being hit by the rebound rather than playing it.
What this means at your level
Beginner
If they hit hard, stand further forward, around the service line, and let the ball come to you off the wall.
Intermediate
Adjust per opponent, not per pair. One might hit hard and one soft; your depth changes with who is hitting.
Advanced
A deeper-than-usual defensive position against hard hitters also invites the short ball. Be ready to move forward off the split step when you see the soft volley.
Common questions
The opponents hit hard, flat volleys and smashes. Where should your defensive position be relative to the back glass?
Further from the glass than usual. Hard hitters: stand further from the glass. The rebound comes out further and you want it arriving, not passing. Defensive depth is set by how the ball is coming, not by a fixed spot. Against hard, flat hitters the ball reaches the glass with pace and rebounds a long way, often past the service line, so the defender stands further from the wall than usual, letting the ball come out to them. Against soft, sliced hitters the opposite applies: the ball dies near the wall and the defender stands closer, ready to take it early. Most defensive errors against hard hitters come from standing too close to the glass and being hit by the rebound rather than playing it.
Why not closer to the glass, to protect it?
Closer to the glass against pace means the rebound is on you before you can react. Give it room.
What should a beginner do here?
If they hit hard, stand further forward, around the service line, and let the ball come to you off the wall.
How does this change for an advanced player?
A deeper-than-usual defensive position against hard hitters also invites the short ball. Be ready to move forward off the split step when you see the soft volley.
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.
intermediateYour partner got pulled wide. Where do you stand?
The pair moves like one body. When your partner is pulled wide, you take the middle.