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Tip #12
Who should hit the lob when both my partner and I are at the net and our opponent hits a lob?
If you can hit the lob in the air call mine and hit the overhead. If the lob is going to bounce behind you call yours and let your partner take it as he will have an easier shot, since he will be angling towards it and will be able to see the other side. You, on the other hand, would have to turn your back, find the ball and get to it but far enough away so you could have a swing. Even if you do all this you will probably still have a blind shot.Remember, if you call yours, you immediately switch to cover your partners side
Tip #11
Flow with the ball!
A very simple way of figuring where to go if the ball is hit with an angle is to flow in the direction of the ball. In other words if the ball is hit left, go left. If it is hit to the right, go right. To demonstrate this in my classes, I divide the court into three parts from doubles line to doubles line. Each part is 12 feet wide since the doubles court is 36 feet wide. If the ball is hit to one of the outer thirds that side becomes the ball third. My players know that they both must flow with the ball so that one must cover that ball third and the other partner must cover the middle third. This correct movement will place you in the middle of their return angle, taking away all the easy shots, leaving them with only the hardest. Now you are making life difficult for your opponents and isn't that fun?
Tip #10
I know not to look at my partner while he is hitting, but which opponent should I look at?
The closest opponent, regardless of where he is standing, is who you look at. Both opponents, by their action or non-action will tell you who is going to hit your partner's shot. If you are watching the closest opponent, you will be ready to react to him if he hits the shot because more distance gives you more time. If you are watching the more distant opponent you will not have the time to react to the closest one if he hits the return.
Tips 15-13
Tips 12-10
Tips 9-7
Tips 6-4
Tips 3-1
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