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Defence: patient from the back

When your opponents are at the net, you defend from the back: use the walls, play balls back deep and win the net back with the Lob.

TacticsIntermediate

By Yves Richel ·

In defence you stand behind the service line, with your opponents at the net. Here it is not the hardest hitter who wins, but the most patient player. Your goal is to return balls safely until a good Lob or a Chiquita brings you forward.

The basic position at the back

Both of you stand about a metre in front of the back wall, each on your own side. That gives you room for the walls and lets you play balls after the rebound.

Let balls go into the wall if you cannot take them cleanly before. The wall gives you time.

AB
Both players at the back, the ball comes back into play off the back wall.Your pairOpponentsBallMovementBounce

Getting out of defence

The way forward is the Lob. Play it high and deep so your opponents have to go back, and move up together.

A low ball to the feet or a Chiquita forces the net players into a weak Volley. That is also a chance to move up.

Common mistakes

  • Attacking hard from defence: the net players volley the ball away.
  • Standing too close to the back wall.
  • Running forward alone while your partner stays at the back.

Drill: Survive ten balls

  1. One pair stands at the net and attacks, the other defends at the back.
  2. The defending pair has to return ten balls without making a mistake.
  3. Only then may it try to get to the net with a Lob.

Frequently asked questions

How long should I defend?

Until a good Lob is possible. Here patience wins more points than risk.

Can I smash from defence?

Rarely a good idea. A Smash from the back usually comes back off the opponents’ wall.

Still have a question about technique? Pal, our AI assistant at the bottom right, answers from these pages.