Court coverage: avoiding ball hogging

What this lesson covers

Ball hogging occurs when a player frequently crosses into their partner's territory to take shots, often leaving themselves out of position and undermining their partner's confidence. While professional players sometimes cross to finish points with an overhead, recreational players often do this unnecessarily. This behavior causes the partner to shrink and stop trusting their own shots, eventually leading to poor team positioning where one player covers three-quarters of the court.

To prevent this, players must establish clear boundaries based on game situations rather than just forehand or backhand sides. Communication is the primary tool to resolve these issues. Players should discuss their roles during changeovers to ensure both feel comfortable taking their own balls. During play, a loud and assertive call for the ball is necessary to claim ownership and build confidence. Taking the ball with conviction prevents the partner from feeling forced to intervene and helps maintain a balanced court presence.