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You lifted a short lob and you are halfway in. Keep going?
A failed lob cancels the run. Go back together and defend from where the glass can help you.
Your lob was shorter than you wanted and their player is already set up underneath it. You are halfway to the net. What now?
A failed lob cancels the run. Go back together and defend from where the glass can help you.
Why
The decision to take the net is made after the lob, not before it. If the ball is short and they are set up underneath it, then going forward walks you into a shot that is coming down at you, and stopping halfway leaves you in the worst position on the court. The right answer is unglamorous: turn, go back with your partner, take a position in front of the glass where you have room, and make them beat you with a good smash rather than an easy one.
What this means at your level
Beginner
Watch the ball land before you commit. If your lob is short, get back and get ready.
Intermediate
Judge it from their contact point, not from the bounce. If they are set and under it, you are already turning.
Advanced
Retreat on the diagonal towards the side they are most likely to smash, and start a metre inside the glass so you can move back into the rebound rather than being pinned against it.
Common questions
Your lob was shorter than you wanted and their player is already set up underneath it. You are halfway to the net. What now?
Turn and go back to the glass, both of you. A failed lob cancels the run. Go back together and defend from where the glass can help you. The decision to take the net is made after the lob, not before it. If the ball is short and they are set up underneath it, then going forward walks you into a shot that is coming down at you, and stopping halfway leaves you in the worst position on the court. The right answer is unglamorous: turn, go back with your partner, take a position in front of the glass where you have room, and make them beat you with a good smash rather than an easy one.
Why not go back, but leave your partner at the net?
Splitting the pair under an overhead offers them a lane through the middle and a free lob over whoever stayed. If one of you retreats, both of you retreat.
What should a beginner do here?
Watch the ball land before you commit. If your lob is short, get back and get ready.
How does this change for an advanced player?
Retreat on the diagonal towards the side they are most likely to smash, and start a metre inside the glass so you can move back into the rebound rather than being pinned against it.
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.
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.
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.