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You are better than them and you are losing. Why?
When a stronger pair loses, look at who ends points at the net. It is nearly always that.
On paper you are the stronger pair, but you are a set down. What is most likely going wrong?
When a stronger pair loses, look at who ends points at the net. It is nearly always that.
Why
Technique decides individual shots; position decides matches. A pair that lobs well, moves in together and holds the net can beat a pair with better strokes who keep getting pushed back, because every point is being played from the wrong end of the court. Before you start changing your swing mid-match, ask a simpler question: over the last four points, which pair was standing at the net when the point ended? Fix that, and most of the rest fixes itself.
What this means at your level
Beginner
Count it. Literally, over four points, notice who is at the net. It is the most useful thing you can do in a bad set.
Intermediate
If you are losing the net, your lobs are too short or you are not going in behind them. Those are the two causes, in that order.
Advanced
The other structural cause is a broken pair: one of you attacking while the other holds back. Check that you are moving as a unit before you change anything else.
Common questions
On paper you are the stronger pair, but you are a set down. What is most likely going wrong?
They are at the net and you are not. When a stronger pair loses, look at who ends points at the net. It is nearly always that. Technique decides individual shots; position decides matches. A pair that lobs well, moves in together and holds the net can beat a pair with better strokes who keep getting pushed back, because every point is being played from the wrong end of the court. Before you start changing your swing mid-match, ask a simpler question: over the last four points, which pair was standing at the net when the point ended? Fix that, and most of the rest fixes itself.
Why not bad luck with the bounces?
Over a whole set, bounces even out. Something structural is happening and it is worth finding rather than explaining away.
What should a beginner do here?
Count it. Literally, over four points, notice who is at the net. It is the most useful thing you can do in a bad set.
How does this change for an advanced player?
The other structural cause is a broken pair: one of you attacking while the other holds back. Check that you are moving as a unit before you change anything else.
Puzzles like this one
Both of them are at the net. What is the highest-percentage ball?
Only the lob moves a net pair backwards. Everything else invites them forward.
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.
intermediateWhat do you do with the return of serve?
The return lob is how the receiving pair steals the net. Aim over the player who is still moving.