Smash recovery techniques and the dormilona

What this lesson covers

This lesson details three ways to recover a smash depending on the ball height and position. The first approach focuses on defensive depth by returning the ball deep to the opponent or towards the partner to regain court position. Players must maintain a profile stance without pre-arming the paddle to remain mobile and ready to track the ball.

When the ball stays low near the side glass, the coach suggests using a slice or kick to add pace while keeping the ball in front of the body. For the dormilona, the coach explicitly advises against using a continental grip, as it causes the ball to lift too much. Instead, the paddle should move from low to high in a guided motion with a modified grip to generate the necessary backspin. The player must let the ball travel far enough in front of the body to allow for proper trunk rotation and contact near the floor, avoiding the common mistake of letting the ball get too close to the body.