Guest Post from Scott! Good stuff on Movement, Split Steps, and More Court Movement

 Here is a wonderful post from Scott.  His background is in tennis, he's taught, and he's a very nice PB player.  I asked him about trying to return a shot at one's feet.  He was kind enough to think about it and sent in the following post.

First, let's discuss No Man's Land (NML).

So when is it a good time to be in no man's land?

1. When you hit a shot from the baseline and you start coming in but can't make it all the way to the KL.

2. When you just don't move well enough to cover the short balls you should move into NML so you can cover the court better.

3. When you are at the net and your partner hits a lob or sitter try to move back into NML to give you time to have a chance at making the shot.

How to improve your NML play:

1. When you can't get all the way to the KL you need to take a split step before the opponent hits the ball. This helps you get balanced. Once the opponent hits the ball, you then hopefully move forward to hit the ball and then you end up at the KL or maybe just a few more steps closer.

 

A split step means moving forward and off the lead foot you make a hop step and you land with both feet square and on the balls of your feet, preferably right before the opponent hits the ball so you quickly move forward (or right or left) for the shot.

2. When you have a hard time covering the whole court and need to move into NML, stay balanced and on the balls of your feet. Bend those Knees as best as you can. Don't get on your heels, hold your ground.  A low setup will allow you to volley some of the shots that land closely in front of you.

3. When you are in trouble because your partner threw up a lob and you are at the KL and have time, you need to do a reverse split step and land on the balls of your feet and knees bent and get ready to try and block the ball back. Don't give up and hide! A lot of overheads are playable! Don't ever move back and be falling backward and be on your heels, you give yourself almost no chance to make the shot.

Part 2

When is it a bad time to be in NML?

1. When you are at the net and you give ground and end up in the NML. Your opponents love this, they have no reason to hit to your partner who is at the KL because now they can just keep hitting at your feet and watching you play from your heels.

2. When you hit your serve and you or your partner move into NML BEFORE your opponent makes contact with the ball. You need to stay by the baseline and see where the ball goes before you start moving. When it is clear your partner is playing the 3rd shot you should be moving forward into NML and split step, if you see it is a good return, you should move up to the KL.  Don't blindly move to the KL before you can evaluate your partner's shot.  It puts a lot of pressure on partner to be perfect.  That can result in a lot of net shots due to being too delicate with a third shot drop.

3. When you spend to much time in NML or at the baseline because you think you can win by banging ground strokes. Good luck with that! You might hit some flashy shots but in the long run you are going to lose most of the battles. You need to be at the KL!