Post 57 Movement When You are Not Hitting the Ball

 Scott has more to say about moving when your partner is hitting the third shot.  This is a continuation of the movement posts, most of which are concerned with movement by the serving side.  The non-servers should be at the KL when the third shot is it.  Then, follow the words of Master Scott:

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When your partner is hitting the 3rd shot what should you be doing? I think most people would answer rush up to the KL as fast as possible. But this is not the right thing to do.

 

The answer depends on the return, and what matters most is what type of 3rd shot your partner is hitting.

 

So really you should never sprint up to the KL until you have figured out what shot your partner is hitting.

Here are some examples:

3rd shot is a banger shot that is up where a good net player likes it. Partner can stay at the baseline or move up a little and split step before opponent makes contact and look to play defense on the next shot and try to reset. Better than being target practice!

 

3rd shot is cross-court topspin shot, could be too high or just right: Partner should look to move forward and split step before opponent makes contact and look to move forward if you can attack or prepare to play defense and reset.

 

3rd shot is an attempt to get the ball in the kitchen: Partner should look to move forward and split step before opponent makes contact. If it is a high attempt then split step and prepare to play defense and look to get the ball in the kitchen for a reset. If it does go into the kitchen then move forward and split step before opponent makes contact and prepare to attack if the ball comes back high or prepare to dink if they keep it in the kitchen.

 

3rd shot is a lob: Partner should stay around the baseline to see where the lob goes. If the lob is short, prepare to play defense and try to get it back. If the lob makes the opponent  go back for a tough overhead move up to 3/4 court and look to block the ball back the same side the overhead was hit and look to move up to the kitchen to take control of the net. If lob goes over both opponents and bounces then move up to the kitchen line together.

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Rich, here, allow me to add emphasis to Scott's post, note that anyone who is receiving a shot should be stopped and in a split step when the shot is struck.   And prepared to move up, side to side, or back to return the shot.  A good stationary position is vital for the final movement to get you to the return shot.  Nothing worse then being caught leaning in the wrong direction.  Thanks Scott, for the post.