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Short lob, one opponent at the net and one back. Where does the smash go?
Against a split pair, smash at the deeper player's feet or through the diagonal gap. The net player cannot cover it.
You have a short lob to smash. One opponent has come forward to the net, the other is still at the back. Where do you hit it?
Against a split pair, smash at the deeper player's feet or through the diagonal gap. The net player cannot cover it.
Why
When one opponent has come forward and the other is back, the pair is split and the diagonal between them is open. A smash hit through that gap, or at the feet of the deeper player, is nearly impossible to return: the net player cannot reach across, and the back player has a fast ball at their feet with no wall to help. Smashing at the net player is the mistake. They are closest to you, the ball arrives fast, and a reflex block can come back over. Look at the shape before the smash and play to the space it leaves.
What this means at your level
Beginner
If one of them has come forward, smash toward the one who stayed back. They are the one with the harder ball.
Intermediate
The gap between a split pair runs diagonally. Aim the smash through the middle of the court and it finds it.
Advanced
A split pair is usually a pair mid-transition. Smash immediately; if you give them a beat, they will be level and the gap closes.
Common questions
You have a short lob to smash. One opponent has come forward to the net, the other is still at the back. Where do you hit it?
The deeper player's feet, or the gap. Against a split pair, smash at the deeper player's feet or through the diagonal gap. The net player cannot cover it. When one opponent has come forward and the other is back, the pair is split and the diagonal between them is open. A smash hit through that gap, or at the feet of the deeper player, is nearly impossible to return: the net player cannot reach across, and the back player has a fast ball at their feet with no wall to help. Smashing at the net player is the mistake. They are closest to you, the ball arrives fast, and a reflex block can come back over. Look at the shape before the smash and play to the space it leaves.
Why not at the one at the net, before they can react?
A smash at a net player is a reflex block, and sometimes a winner for them. Play to the space, not the closer body.
What should a beginner do here?
If one of them has come forward, smash toward the one who stayed back. They are the one with the harder ball.
How does this change for an advanced player?
A split pair is usually a pair mid-transition. Smash immediately; if you give them a beat, they will be level and the gap closes.
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.
beginnerBoth 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.
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.