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A deep ball is coming. Hit it before the glass, or after?
Deep ball with pace: let it hit the glass and play it on the way out. The wall gives you time.
You are at the back. A firm ball is coming deep toward your back glass at medium pace. Do you play it before it reaches the wall or after it rebounds?
Deep ball with pace: let it hit the glass and play it on the way out. The wall gives you time.
Why
The single hardest habit for players from tennis is trusting the glass. A ball travelling deep with medium pace will hit the back wall and come back toward you, arriving at a comfortable height with time to set up. Playing it before the wall means a rushed shot from an awkward position close to the glass. The rule of thumb: if the ball would reach the glass with pace, let it; if it is dying and will not come back out, take it early. Turn side-on, watch the ball hit the wall, and hit it as it comes down on the way out.
What this means at your level
Beginner
When the ball goes past you toward the back glass, do not chase it. Turn sideways, let it hit the wall, and hit it when it comes back.
Intermediate
Move with the ball as it goes to the glass: a small step back and sideways so you end up beside where it will rebound, not in front of it.
Advanced
The rebound height depends on the incoming height and spin. Flat and low comes out low; topspin kicks up. Read the incoming ball to know where to set up.
Common questions
You are at the back. A firm ball is coming deep toward your back glass at medium pace. Do you play it before it reaches the wall or after it rebounds?
After: let it hit the glass and come back to you. Deep ball with pace: let it hit the glass and play it on the way out. The wall gives you time. The single hardest habit for players from tennis is trusting the glass. A ball travelling deep with medium pace will hit the back wall and come back toward you, arriving at a comfortable height with time to set up. Playing it before the wall means a rushed shot from an awkward position close to the glass. The rule of thumb: if the ball would reach the glass with pace, let it; if it is dying and will not come back out, take it early. Turn side-on, watch the ball hit the wall, and hit it as it comes down on the way out.
Why not before, never let the ball get behind you?
Taking a deep ball on the rise, near the glass, is a rushed shot from a bad position. The wall is there to help.
What should a beginner do here?
When the ball goes past you toward the back glass, do not chase it. Turn sideways, let it hit the wall, and hit it when it comes back.
How does this change for an advanced player?
The rebound height depends on the incoming height and spin. Flat and low comes out low; topspin kicks up. Read the incoming ball to know where to set up.
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.