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All four at the net. A volley exchange begins. Where do you aim?
In a four-at-the-net exchange, volley at the body or feet. Make them hit up; finish the next one.
Both pairs are at the net and a fast volley exchange is under way. What is the best target?
In a four-at-the-net exchange, volley at the body or feet. Make them hit up; finish the next one.
Why
When all four players are at the net, the exchange is fast and the winner is the pair that makes the other lift the ball first. The ball at the body has to be blocked upward; the ball at the feet has to be lifted; either way the reply comes back above the net for you to hit down. Trying to thread the middle or find an angle gives them a ball they can block back with interest. Aim at the person, not the space, keep the racket up, and stay low so that the low ball is a volley rather than a half-volley.
What this means at your level
Beginner
When they are close, hit the ball at their feet or at their body. It sounds rude; it is how the point is won.
Intermediate
Keep the volley short and firm. The exchange is won by whoever keeps the racket in front, not by whoever swings.
Advanced
The moment you get a ball above the net, the target changes: at the feet of the opponent who is further back, or the angle away from the one who is nearer.
Common questions
Both pairs are at the net and a fast volley exchange is under way. What is the best target?
At the body or feet of the one in front. In a four-at-the-net exchange, volley at the body or feet. Make them hit up; finish the next one. When all four players are at the net, the exchange is fast and the winner is the pair that makes the other lift the ball first. The ball at the body has to be blocked upward; the ball at the feet has to be lifted; either way the reply comes back above the net for you to hit down. Trying to thread the middle or find an angle gives them a ball they can block back with interest. Aim at the person, not the space, keep the racket up, and stay low so that the low ball is a volley rather than a half-volley.
Why not the gap between them, firmly?
The gap is small at the net and both of them can reach it. The body is a bigger target and gives them a worse shot.
What should a beginner do here?
When they are close, hit the ball at their feet or at their body. It sounds rude; it is how the point is won.
How does this change for an advanced player?
The moment you get a ball above the net, the target changes: at the feet of the opponent who is further back, or the angle away from the one who is nearer.
Puzzles like this one
They lobbed you deep. Smash it or play the bandeja?
Deep ball, high hands: bandeja. The shot exists to keep you at the net, not to win the point.
beginnerThe 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.
beginnerBoth of them are at the net. What is the highest-percentage ball?
Only the lob moves a net pair backwards. Everything else invites them forward.