Third Shot Drop

Do You and Your Partner Mesh?

November 05 2024

The forehand takes the middle. It’s a solid rule that should be adhered to MOST of the time.

  • But what happens when the ball isn’t perfectly down the middle, it’s slightly closer to the right-side player?
  • Or when the left-side player has to guard the line so they’re not able to prepare appropriately for a middle ball?

Those are two scenarios where paddles collide, or worse, the ball floats down the middle for the winner. Instead of fighting over the middle, try meshing with your partner and adding a layer of defense.

Providing Back Up For Your Partner

As the right-side player, when you see one of the scenarios above, you can add a layer of protection by:

  • Backing slightly off the kitchen line
  • Shading toward the middle

The left-side player can still have first dibs at any ball down the middle but by layering behind them, you’re ready to cover a ball they can’t reach. This strategy works well when playing with a new partner.

Instead of fighting over the middle balls, the right-side player clearly yields to the left-side player but not to the point where they are being burnt down the middle.

As a partnership evolves there is less of a need to mesh but until you learn the range of your partner, it’s a great way to stay in points and build trust.


Add New
Comments

no comments found