Attack the Net Player — Not the Baseline Player
The Situation
You are at the back trying to decide which opponent to target.
What To Do
Target the net player with chiquitas and low balls rather than the baseline player. The net player has less time to react and less court to work with.
Why It Works
Counterintuitively the net player is more vulnerable to well-placed low balls than the baseline player who has more time. A chiquita at the net player's feet forces an upward volley from a difficult position. The baseline player behind them has no role in that exchange.
Court Positioning
Shot trajectory shown targeting net player feet with chiquita. Baseline player shown as secondary target. Net player forced to volley upward.
Court View
Bird's-eye view — attacking net position
Skill Level
Simplify Completely in a Tiebreak
The set has reached a tiebreak and you feel the pressure rising.
Use the First Game to Read Your Opponents
The match has just started.
Say One Thing to Your Partner After Every Point
You and your partner play mostly in silence and keep making the same positioning mistakes.