Serve and volley tactics: targeting the T

What this lesson covers

Serving into the side glass forces the returner to move wide and reach for the ball. This movement opens a significant gap in the middle of the court. By directing the first volley toward this central zone, the server forces the returner to play from a difficult position, often near the back glass. This tactic disrupts the opponents' recovery and creates space for subsequent shots.

Even when the returner manages to reach the ball, the low contact point makes it challenging to hit an effective shot. If the returner is forced to play from deep or near the glass, the server and their partner can exploit the open corners on the next ball. This approach is effective for starting the point with an advantage, even against high-level opponents who may use a lob to reset the rally.