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Their lob reached the glass and they are setting up a bajada. Where do you go?
The bajada arrives flat and fast: half a step back, low, and block it deep. Do not rush and do not retreat.
Your lob was too short and deep enough that the opponent lets it come off the back glass and hits a bajada. You are at the net. What is the adjustment?
The bajada arrives flat and fast: half a step back, low, and block it deep. Do not rush and do not retreat.
Why
A bajada is an attacking drive hit off the back glass after a lob has bounced and rebounded. The ball comes out to chest height and the hitter drives it flat and hard. For the net pair, the danger is the ball at the body with no time. The adjustment is small: a half step back to buy that time, knees bent, racket up in front, and a firm block deep rather than any attempt to redirect. The bajada is often hit at the net player who is closest, so both players prepare, and the one it comes to blocks it back deep and low, taking the pace off. Then the point resumes on more even terms.
What this means at your level
Beginner
When you see them let your lob hit the glass and set up to hit it hard, get low and get your racket in front. Block, do not swing.
Intermediate
The bajada goes where the hitter's shoulders point. Read the shoulders as the ball comes off the glass and shift to that side.
Advanced
The bajada is only available if your lob comes off the glass at a hittable height. Lob deeper so it dies at the base of the wall, or flatter so they have to take it in the air, and the bajada never appears.
Common questions
Your lob was too short and deep enough that the opponent lets it come off the back glass and hits a bajada. You are at the net. What is the adjustment?
Half a step back, low, racket up. It comes flat and fast. The bajada arrives flat and fast: half a step back, low, and block it deep. Do not rush and do not retreat. A bajada is an attacking drive hit off the back glass after a lob has bounced and rebounded. The ball comes out to chest height and the hitter drives it flat and hard. For the net pair, the danger is the ball at the body with no time. The adjustment is small: a half step back to buy that time, knees bent, racket up in front, and a firm block deep rather than any attempt to redirect. The bajada is often hit at the net player who is closest, so both players prepare, and the one it comes to blocks it back deep and low, taking the pace off. Then the point resumes on more even terms.
Why not rush the net to cut it off early?
A flat, fast ball at a player rushing forward is a body shot. Hold your depth.
What should a beginner do here?
When you see them let your lob hit the glass and set up to hit it hard, get low and get your racket in front. Block, do not swing.
How does this change for an advanced player?
The bajada is only available if your lob comes off the glass at a hittable height. Lob deeper so it dies at the base of the wall, or flatter so they have to take it in the air, and the bajada never appears.
Puzzles like this one
The ball is at your feet at the net. What now?
A ball below the net cannot be attacked. Block it deep and wait for one above the tape.
beginnerThe ball is coming off the back glass. When do you hit it?
Move back with the ball, let it pass you, hit it in front of your body.
intermediateYour partner got pulled wide. Where do you stand?
The pair moves like one body. When your partner is pulled wide, you take the middle.