Another Take on Getting to the Net

 Maybe the largest conundrum in PB is coordination in getting to the kitchen line (KL).  This is, of course as regular readers will know, solely an issue with the serving side.

You have a new partner and you hit the serve, the ball comes back to you, fairly deep, and you setup to return it.  Where is your partner?  Where should he be?

Here is a structure that is borne out by my limited experience.  Your partner should move up the same amount that you did to return the second shot.  If it was deep and you returned it from the baseline or in back of it, your partner should keep you company.  If you only get a couple of steps into the court, then both advance, those couple of steps.

If you were able to move up to mid court to hit the third shot, then partner moves with you.  If it's short, then, both of you will move up gleefully all the way to the KL.

The most frequent deviation from this that I have experienced, is that the player not involved in returning the second hit, will advance beyond the ball.  The problems with this are twofold.  

One is that you, having seen your partner run up, now needs to hit a perfect drop shot to avoid the fourth shot skewering the advanced partner, (or a lob, which is plainly against the spirit and beauty of the game, but this a topic for another post (don't take that too seriously!)).  

The second issue is that it creates the "dreaded diagonal gap" between you and partner, which is a tasty target for the opponents, who don't think it as a "dreaded gap," but as an "exciting opportunity," every shot makes someone happy! 

Third issue, I thought of another, if the third shot ain't that great, then you frequently have to defend the ball from the back court.  This is more the case if the second shot was nice and deep.  You'll be trying to advance, but in the mean time, you're trying to hit drops and returning overheads and volleys from the opponents.  If your side is split, this usually does not end well, but it does end quickly!

There is a good reason for partner to violate the above guidance.  When he or she has the hands of lightening, the reflexes of a hungry cat, and the fast feet of a dancing leprechaun, then sure get up there and make ready for close combat.  But for us mortals, staying with partner and advancing as a stately couple seems to be a better way to go about it.

Now there is one more situation that you are looking/hoping for.  If the service returner doesn't follow the second shot into the net, here is what should happen automatically: hit the third shot deep to the guy who has not come forward.  As you do that your partner advances all the way to the kitchen line, and you follow your shot to the KL too.  The happy result is that you've captured the KL and you've split the opponents - which is the ideal situation for your side.

If your partner doesn't follow the second shot in, then perhaps a stern talking to, or just stay at the baseline with him.  If he points out that you should be more forward, you can agree as long as he will join you at first opportunity! Of course, that is no one at the Downs!?