Court positioning: back court and net fundamentals

What this lesson covers

Defensive positioning at the back of the court centers on the intersection of the two back glass panels. Players should stand roughly one big step behind the service line and a couple of steps from the side glass. This area defines the player's primary defensive zone. When transitioning to the net, avoid stopping in no man's land. Instead, play a controlled ball from the back and move directly to the net position to avoid hitting half volleys while out of place.

At the net, the ready position is between the first and second posts. This placement allows for forward movement to attack or a step back to prepare for a lob with a bandeja. Net play requires constant side-to-side coordination with a partner to cover the center and the lines. If the ball moves to the forehand corner, the player covers the line while the partner shifts to cover the middle. Anticipating the opponent's shot by watching their racket preparation allows for better positioning, whether preparing for a block volley or a defensive bandeja.