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Both opponents are pinned deep. Do you move at the net?
When they are pinned deep, close in a step. Their options shrink and your volley gets higher.
You have both opponents stuck deep against the glass after a good volley. Where should your pair be?
When they are pinned deep, close in a step. Their options shrink and your volley gets higher.
Why
The net position is a starting point that moves with the rally. When both opponents are deep against the glass, their drives arrive slower and higher and their lobs have to be more careful, so the net pair can step in half a metre and take the ball earlier, at a higher point, with more angles to finish. When the opponents get back to a comfortable position, the pair drifts back to the normal depth. Reading when to close and when to retreat is most of what makes a net player look aggressive.
What this means at your level
Beginner
When you have them stuck at the back, take one small step forward. Do not run to the net; just lean the pair in.
Intermediate
Close in when their ball is low and slow; ease back when you see them set up with time. It is a constant small adjustment.
Advanced
The step in is also a threat: a deep opponent who sees you close will try to lob higher, and higher lobs are the ones that go long or come down short enough to smash.
Common questions
You have both opponents stuck deep against the glass after a good volley. Where should your pair be?
Step in closer. When they are pinned deep, close in a step. Their options shrink and your volley gets higher. The net position is a starting point that moves with the rally. When both opponents are deep against the glass, their drives arrive slower and higher and their lobs have to be more careful, so the net pair can step in half a metre and take the ball earlier, at a higher point, with more angles to finish. When the opponents get back to a comfortable position, the pair drifts back to the normal depth. Reading when to close and when to retreat is most of what makes a net player look aggressive.
Why not step back to be safe from the lob?
A lob from that deep against the glass is exactly the ball you want to smash. Move in, not out.
What should a beginner do here?
When you have them stuck at the back, take one small step forward. Do not run to the net; just lean the pair in.
How does this change for an advanced player?
The step in is also a threat: a deep opponent who sees you close will try to lob higher, and higher lobs are the ones that go long or come down short enough to smash.
Puzzles like this one
They lobbed you deep. Smash it or play the bandeja?
Deep ball, high hands: bandeja. The shot exists to keep you at the net, not to win the point.
beginnerThe 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.
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.