Where to aim in defense ?

So imagine someone's space when they're at the net and divide it into 9 squares: 3 columns forehand, body and backhand, and 3 rows high, middle and low. Then number those squares, 1 being their high forehand and 9 being their low backhand. Adjust if they're a leftie. ``` 123 456 789 ``` In *general*, aim for numbers 3, 5 (faster shot), 7, 8 and 9 (chiquita). However, during a match, you should assess how good their net game is at each square and adjust your aims. For example, square 6 is their middle backhand and many players practice this shot to death, so they could be quite good at it, but it's also one of those shots that a lot of players typically still suck at, so they miss a lot of them or their returns are of poor quality, giving you a chance to take over. Other places you can aim at are any places not covered by these squares, so basically when they're out of position. If they're are perfectly in position, then make them move to create gaps, then aim for those gaps. For example, aim for their far 7 or 9, then aim between them to cause confusion, then aim for any gaps that appear.

High on the backhand or straight to the body of your opponent. Don’t try to make angles.

If you are in emergency defence and cannot lob play long line, not cross. If you play long line the chance is higher they will target change and your lifebar will reset.

play with variation. you’re aim in defence (unless just surviving a very difficult ball) should be to move them. hit slow chiquita, hit high backhand, hit fast to the body. anything but at a nice height for them to kill you.

I think in that situation you should keep it simple. Don’t try to create angles or win the point from an uncomfortable defensive position. A simple controlled ball through the middle or to the backhand side is usually the better choice, as the goal is just to stay in the point, avoid giving an easy volley, and build a more comfortable ball. Then from the next ball, if you get the chance, you can play the lob or a chiquita and try to recover the net.

When you are in defence, you are either trying to take over the net or maybe just trying to avoid getting under more pressure. You have many options for this. It's important to analyse the opponents first. When they are at net, are they really close to net(more space for lobs) or are they further (leaving space for chiquita) Where and how to play: -When you want to avoid being pressured, it's good to play slow and low towards their feet. If your ball is going down and reaches just over the net, your opponent can't play an attacking volley -It's harder to pressure with backhand so aim for the netplayers backhand. Even better: high on the backhand. -On the body, this makes your opponent move and will often result in a weaker volley that you can take advantage of (lob /chiquita) To the body you can play faster to surprise them. -You can vary: left, right, body to make the opponent move and make them work to stay at net and wait for an easier ball. -If the opponents makes a lot of mistakes with forehand or backhand volley, play there. Then depending on how you want to take the net, with a chiquita or a lob, these are the options that make the most sense: Chiquita: make sure you don't hit it to hard or high because you'll get punished for such a ball if you move up. Very important: communicate and tell your partner to move up with you (say: "go" if you know your chiquita is good.) -To the middle, this way you can both push inwards towards the center and you'll leave less gaps. -Parallel, you have to cover your straight side, and your partner has to cover the middle, so it's important to say when he should move. Lob: Many variations, volley lob, quick lob, high lob if outdoor, but generally over the backhand of any of the netplayers always works. If they have good overheads and are fast, then you can hit a low ball first to create space and then a lob.

Depends on situation and opponent really. In general, parallel is good since it is easier to make that shot, so less mistake. But at higher level, your parallel opponent can see your general defense approach and often moves up the net after he saw you being pressured, and returning parallel then will earn you a smash. So a varied aim would be a better habit. Sometimes cross court chiquita, sometimes lob, sometimes parallel or middle. You got the idea.

soft shots will give you time. I try to aim in the middle/backhand/body

I’m a left handed and always try to play fast balls to the body or in the middle.

Agree with almost everything written here. The one thing I would add is that it also depends where your opponents are: if you are really on the defensive then they may be pressing right up against the net which would rule out any slower balls / chiquitas

Best Options are 1) fast to the body 2) high to their backhand

Depends on: - ball height - ball difficulty - position of opponents Low and difficult — parallel middle speed to the body, to backhand