Stop Giving Away Points Between the Lines
You can hit a great shot and still lose the point.
Not because your technique was bad.
Not because your opponent hit something incredible.
Sometimes, you simply weren’t in the right place for the next ball.
Court positioning is one of those things players notice only after the mistake happens. You hit a good shot, admire it for half a second, and suddenly you’re scrambling because you never recovered.
The goal isn’t to stand in one perfect spot all match.
The goal is to keep adjusting your position based on what is happening.
Recover After Every Shot
After you hit, don’t just watch where the ball goes.
Recover.
If you’re pulled wide, work your way back toward a position where you can cover the next likely shot.
But don’t automatically run all the way back to the middle.
Your recovery position should depend on where you hit the ball and where your opponent is.
If you move your opponent wide and create open court, you’ve created an opportunity.
But that doesn’t mean you should immediately rush forward without thinking.
Pay attention to your opponent’s position.
If your shot forces them into a difficult position or gives you a short ball, that’s when you can move forward and take away their time.
Create space → recognize the opportunity → move forward.
Stop Living Behind the Baseline
Being pushed behind the baseline isn’t always avoidable.
But staying there when you don’t need to can make the game much harder.
The farther back you are, the more court you have to cover and the more time your opponent has to control the point.
When you get a manageable ball, look for chances to move back toward the baseline and take the ball earlier.
You don’t have to attack every ball.
You just don’t want to give away court for free.
Position for Your Opponent’s Shot
One of the easiest ways to improve your positioning is to stop thinking only about your own shot.
Start watching your opponent.
Where are they?
Are they stretched wide?
Are they hitting from behind the baseline?
Did you give them a short ball?
Are they approaching the net?
Their position gives you information about where their next shot is likely to go.
Use that information before the ball crosses the net.
A Simple Rule to Remember!
After every shot, ask yourself:
“Where do I need to be for the next ball?”
That one question can change the way you move around the court.
You’re not just hitting and waiting anymore.
You’re hitting, recovering, reading, and preparing.
Because sometimes the difference between winning and losing a point isn’t the shot you hit.
It’s where you were standing when the next shot came back.
