Aerial game: hiding the rulo, smash or feint

What this lesson covers

The preparation for the rulo, the smash, and the feint must remain identical to disguise the shot from the opponent. The player maintains the same grip and body position in a diagonal stance regardless of the intended outcome. The energy behind the swing stays consistent until the final moment of contact. When executing a feint, the paddle face remains flat to ensure control. If the paddle angle changes, the shot becomes difficult to execute.

To perform a successful rulo, the player moves the hip through the ball while keeping the wrist firm. Avoid breaking the wrist during the feint to prevent losing control. When aiming for a smash, get underneath the ball and apply a slight spin rather than hitting it completely flat. The key to effective deception is maintaining the same intensity throughout the movement and only slowing down the swing speed at the last possible second. This approach works best for players looking to keep their opponents guessing during high-ball exchanges.