Net positioning: ball placement and impact timing

What this lesson covers

Effective net positioning relies on reading the opponent's position to dictate the pace of the rally. When the opponent is deep in the court, a slower, higher volley that forces them to stay back is more effective than a hard shot that allows them to move forward and hit a lob. If the opponent is already at the net, the goal shifts to forcing them into trouble with a chiquita or a well-placed lob.

Decision-making at the net requires awareness of the opponent's strengths. If an opponent has a strong double-handed backhand, avoid playing the ball down the middle where they can reach it easily. Instead, impact the ball slightly behind the body line to direct it cross-court. When executing a bandeja, focus on generating spin rather than raw power by keeping the racket behind the neck and aiming for the side glass. If the ball is hit too high, it bounces up for the opponent, so aim for a lower impact point to keep the ball dying in the corner. Communication between partners is vital to determine whether a ball belongs to you or your partner based on the angle created by the opponent's shot.