Defensive volley technique: blocking with a flat face

What this lesson covers

When defending from the net position, the goal is to neutralize the opponent rather than force an attack. Many players make the mistake of using slice when the ball is at or below net height, which often results in the ball hitting the net. Instead, the coach teaches a flat block. This technique keeps the ball low and prevents it from bouncing high off the back glass, which would otherwise allow the opponent to set up a lob or an aggressive shot.

The ideal target for this defensive block is just in front of the service line. Placing the ball here forces the opponent to stay back or even retreat a step, preventing them from moving forward to attack the next ball. If the block is too deep, it creates too much rebound, giving the opponent an easy opportunity to lob. If the block is too short, the opponent can easily advance to the net. The key is to keep the paddle dead and avoid adding speed or spin, making the ball difficult for the opponent to handle.