Defensive transition: from back court to the net

What this lesson covers

Defending from the back court requires a specific focus on protecting the corner. The player should prioritize hitting flat shots to keep the ball low and force the opponent to block, creating opportunities to advance. Avoid opening the court with wide angles, as this grants the opponent more time and space to attack the corner, which is the hardest area to cover. Instead, maintain volume by playing towards the opponent's body or backhand.

When the opponent hits a short ball or a weak shot, transition forward to take the net. If the ball is deep, stay back and defend. A successful transition relies on reading the opponent's position and the quality of the previous shot. When hitting a lob, move forward if the lob is good; if the lob is short, stay back to avoid being vulnerable to a smash. The goal is to force the opponent to play from below the net, allowing for a controlled approach. The best defensive shot is a flat, low ball that does not float, forcing the opponent to hit a difficult volley.