Midcourt Decisions

Key Points

• Midcourt should be seen as the land of opportunity
• It’s important to be comfortable playing from midcourt
• The first choice is to defend or to attack
• In the ready position, your paddle should be down low
• Make contact out in front and try to absorb and slow the ball down
• Split stepping and using good footwork allow you to hit the ball from a good position
• Similar concept to digging a spike in volleyball
• The goal is to get to the no volley zone, but wait until you hit a good setup shot to move forward
• When a ball is higher up, that’s when to attack
• Use your hip rotation to add power to the attack
• Keep the paddle out in front
• Keep a compact backswing, hit the ball low over the net
• Make the decision quickly
• Watch your opponent - if he is attacking you, you must defend
• If he is hitting up on the ball, you can attack
• Whether attacking or defending, the goal is to get up to the no volley zone