You're at net. Your partner floats a ball short. What to do?

[x Southpaw x]

Okay this is the first time it happened to me: I took a hard body shot.

Like my title said, I was at the net. My partner floated a weak return short. My opponent came up and drove the ball in my direction, too fast for me to counter-volley.

Due to my competitiveness, usually I would just lower my center of gravity and keep high alert when that happens. But I just realized today that I need a new approach, just for safety.

Question is: What would you do? (I think this question applies to males mainly since no one in the right mind would dare aim it at females)

[Return_Ace]

If that happens to me, I usually try and get back to the service line to give me more time for the next ball. Hence i voted backpaddle as fast as you can.

[Rickson]

Get yourself out of there as fast as you can. If the ball still hits you, you'll know that your opponent was intentionally aiming at you so go up to him and punch him in the face. This is what I'd do because a ball that hits you when you're trying to get out of the way is inexcusable, although a ball aimed at someone who's already at the net is not a bad thing.

[Jon Hampton]

What would you do?

Well, it depends on how much time I have to react to the situation. If my opponent just served and my partner mishit or mistimed the return, he'll usually yell "watch out", in which case I start backpedeling like crazy to get myself in better position. But, sometimes that doesn't happen, so you're caught between a rock and a hard place. But, there is something you can do to throw your opponent off and maybe get an error. Move up. Yea, you heard me. Move forward to the net even closer. I'd say 9/10 people that you play really don't want to hit another person and when they do, it's unintentional. Moving forward forces your opponent to make a quick decision whether he should hit you--and at this range it's very likely--or, go somewhere else. I've noticed that sometimes this will force and error or your opponent will go to the opposite way, choosing not to hit you.

Of course, if you are going to move up, assume the ULTIMATE DEFENSIVE VOLLEY POSITION--in other words, keep the racket in front of your face.

I think this question applies to males mainly since no one in the right mind would dare aim it at females)

Have you ever watched women's college doubles? Those chicks would steal their opponents first born children if they had the chance.

[ucd_ace]

It really depends on the person and the seriousness of the match. I hit at people all the time, and I can usually tell if the guy I'm playing against will want to get back at me. Most people are more afraid of retaliation from me later on though so they just go cross court with it. If I think he's going to go right at me I'll stay and try to volley it. If it's a serious match and I think they're going for the put away then I'll back pedal to the baseline. I think returning overheads is pretty fun. There's one guy I play with though that I just have to get out of there in certain situations.

There is though, the play of all plays... where I run at them and then swing at where I think the overhead might go in an overhead motion and pray. Requirements... there has to be a cute girl around to impress in case I actually pull it off. Also, she can't know me that well, I have to make her think that it wasn't the amazing miracle that it was (though I do attest it takes skill... but there's more luck to it than anything). I'm totally exposed and it could end up being extremely painful, so the reward has to be more than a point. I've actually pulled it off twice and it's absolutely amazing I must say. I was amazed as anyone but had to play it cool.

Anyway, the majority of the time I just stay up at net "stand bravely and alert".

BTW people do hit at girls. At the high school tennis practices (which are combined guys and girls... sometimes they're little sibblings) I help with we hit at anything. The head coach even puts a different amount of points on each person for hitting them and then at the end of the drill we see who won.

[TennsDog]

Depending on the whole court situation and my opponents' skill, I will usually backpedal to about the service line (maybe a foot behind), split step, and then hope they don't hit it at me. I think I also tend to open up the backhand face of the racket if I'm in the deuce court because most shots they will hit to me will be a backhand, and that way I have more time to hit the shot instead of chaning grip or whatever.

[moosryan]

my doubles partner over the summer used to really irritate me because if i left a floater up he would jump and turn around before the ball was hit, so if they just tapped it or shanked it, he couldn't do anything with it. stand your ground, or at least backpeddle!

[GotGame?]

I think standing your ground and staying alert is your best bet. There is usually no time to backpeddle and I don't think that you will be in a balanced enough position to even contend with returning that ball. I do some of the others to, just to get a laugh LOL.

[cak]

But, there is something you can do to throw your opponent off and maybe get an error. Move up. Yea, you heard me. Move forward to the net even closer. I'd say 9/10 people that you play really don't want to hit another person and when they do, it's unintentional. Moving forward forces your opponent to make a quick decision whether he should hit you--and at this range it's very likely--or, go somewhere else. I've noticed that sometimes this will force and error or your opponent will go to the opposite way, choosing not to hit you.


This explains it. I try not to hit people, but everyonce in awhile I absolutely bean someone who is standing where they weren't before I looked up at the ball. Here I was thinking they were having a senior moment, now you're telling me they are running at an overhead on purpose? Wow, I don't feel guilty about hitting them anymore.

Our tennis pro teaches us to "run away". But then again, this is at beginner to intermediate level tennis, no 4.0s here.

[zAllianceBmx]

dont be a puss. thats what you do.

[tennis4losers]

I try to hit the opponent with an overhead for hitting such a weak shot

[golden chicken]

generally, i look at the opponent's preparation. if they get an overhead inside the service line, i'm probably going to run--or at least turn away. likewise, if i'm up there watching them coil up for the biggest forehand they can smack, i'll probably at least get ready to duck.

sometimes you can make incredible reaction volleys if you just stand your ground, and i always charge if the floater is going to be hit in no man's land

[AngeloDS]

I always hold my ground, but I put my racquet where I think they're going to smack it at. If it's an overhead I put my racquet on the ground and jump up hoping to get lucky. If it's coming at me, I'll step to the side and just keep my racquet where my body was.

I'm not afraid of balls hitting me, but I normally react. During the boys tennis season, the coach would setup the ball machine at 80 or so mph. And have it oscilate left and right (the ball would go to the left, then middle, then right). With lots of topspin and stuff. We had to be effective volliers from the middle court. I got beamed a several times.

The other day during tennis camp, we were doing doubles. My partner just throwed up a weak defensive lob so close to the net. I was right there, and bam after he smashed it I held my racquet in between my legs and jumped up. Ball deflected off my racquet and kept it in play. We lost the point, but it was nice. I never jumped that high in my life.

I atleast got a good 2-3 feet in the air heh.

[equinox]

I backpeddle to just behind the service line. This gives me little more time to react and maybe reflex a volley back.

[theace21]

I turn sideways, with the racket on my side, I try and get lucky getting the ball back...

[Bungalo Bill]

Okay this is the first time it happened to me: I took a hard body shot.

Like my title said, I was at the net. My partner floated a weak return short. My opponent came up and drove the ball in my direction, too fast for me to counter-volley.

Due to my competitiveness, usually I would just lower my center of gravity and keep high alert when that happens. But I just realized today that I need a new approach, just for safety.

Question is: What would you do? (I think this question applies to males mainly since no one in the right mind would dare aim it at females)

If it is as you said. I would concede the point and turn your back to get off the court.

Trying to defend a ball that is about to be blistered toward you while at the net from an incoming player and an easy ball for them to slam is brave but almost futile.

Actually, some men do "go after" females. Just turn and exit. If the player goes after you, then it could very well be unsportman like conduct.

If my partner throws up a beach ball and the incoming opponent is going to get to the ball for a smash much quicker then I can retreat and defend, I just concede the point. Unless, the incoming opponent blows it, the point is over. If you do want to defend, well, then you deserve getting beaned in the head or other places you dont want the ball to hit you at.

[fist pump]

stand ground and put your racquet close to your face . in cease it htis you - the most dangerous part to get hit its the eyes and face.

standing your ground can soetimes intimidate them and miss too.

[darkhorse]

I usually stand there bravely. I'm the kind of person that'll drill a short serve right at the net person on the first point, so I guess I think that I should get mine too, once in a while.

Seriously, I do it because it might put a bit of pressure on my opponent. If he goes out of his way to try to hit, he may increase his chances of missing. I do back up sometimes, too, though, but the result is usually the same anyway.

[FREDDY]

sorry double post

[FREDDY]

its only one point no biggy if they win it. just be ready for the next one.

[redtennis55]

you get back, but you try to stay in the point
your partner should warn you after he hits so you can get back quickly and defend.

[kevhen]

I am usually not tight to net if my partner is still at the baseline so if I see my opponent look up and get ready to smash the floater I will back pedal as far back as I can and then jumpstop when they hit the ball and try to react quickly and block the ball back if I can get a racquet on it.

Too many people don't understand court positioning and get caught in too close to the net when their partner is still in a defensive baseline position. It could be the partner's fault in not getting to net sooner or in not hitting low shots and hitting floaters but you do need to adjust and play a similar style that works with your partner so that you can avoid being tattooed by the ball. You should also keep you eye on the closest opponent to the ball to get some clues as to what may be happening soon so that you are prepared and can get ready to defend.

Some guys just bend over and concede the point but that is crappy doubles in my opinion. With good defense you can still win maybe 10-20% of these points and can turn the momentum big time when you do win one.

[lookitstrevor]

just always be on your toes and ready ot drive that ball back to his crotch.

[Marius_Hancu]

I turn sideways, with the racket on my side, I try and get lucky getting the ball back...

that's the fastest move.

[AngeloDS]

Jumping isn't always the best move. The best move is to move to the side, and justp ut your racquet where your body is.

I remember during Varsity season, during our practices. I remember we were playing, and my friend went to smash my other friend (ranked #3) jumped in the air and bam ball bounced off the ground caught him in between the legs and he didn't feel good for a good 2-3 days.

I try to hold my ground. I remember rattling my opponent doing that during the season. I was just a wall pretty much, he could not get anything passed me. And it really played on him in the 3rd set when we did the tie breaker.

[Guillote]

I think I would go back a couple of steps and stay there

A friend of mine stays sticked to the net and covers his face with the racket... nice to target.

[Camilio Pascual]

Throw racquet at partner's head. It sounds cruel and looks ugly in public while you're doing it, but it is really the kindest thing you can do for him under the circumstances.
HEY!, your partner's just got to learn. Just throw the racquet at his head a few dozen times and he WILL learn.

[kevhen]

I did have one ripped at me the other night and I turned sideways and turned my neck away. Sometimes your partner just hits a very weak shot and not much you can do except get out of the way. I know I ripped about 4-5 shots close to my opponent at net when his partner hit a weak shot. I hit him in the foot once but otherwise was just hitting hard either up the middle or in the alley but not at him and the ball went closer to him than I wanted but I only hit him once and he chose to duck and cover as well. It really depends on if you opponent has a hard stinging volley or overhead. If not, back up and try to stay in the point.

Stand bravely and keep alert doesn't sound like an option if you are playing 4.5+ players with 100mph+ overheads with you as a target at point blank range.

[Jonnyf]

I'm sorry but if your 10 feet away how do us guys pick shall we say "P" or "d" or "UP" or "Down"

[FedererUberAlles]

Oh man, I can't wait for floaters (e.g. second serves) in doubles. I get to just pound away at the net player. This is why you ALWAYS COME BACK WHEN YOUR TEAMMATE IS HITTING A SECOND SERVE, unless your teammate has an awesome second serve. I really don't like doubles for this reason, though. I like to be responsible for my wins and losses, I don't like anyone else interfering with what can happen (crappy returner who hits a soft floater).

[obackvalobasha]

O man i love to hit women on their face or on their body. spacially on the private parts. I said women okey!

[MTChong]

It pretty much depends on the situation for me...

On a high sitter inside the service line, I'll back up a little bit to give me some more time to react. Most times though, I'm just lazy and I stay there and do the best I can, haha, but then again, I don't play doubles...