Return away from the server

The decision

Decision: Where is the open space for your return?

You are behind the baseline. The defender is near the middle, deep in court.

• Deep into open court — Deep target — GOOD READ: Your shot targets the opponent’s left, away from where the defender started. The ball lands 1 m inside the sideline. The defender travels 4.1 m across court and returns deep in this example.
• Sharp wide return — Sharp angle — TOUGH CHOICE: Behind the baseline, this tight target leaves little room for error. The ball lands 0.3 m inside the sideline. The defender travels 5.3 m forward and returns deep in this example.

What to take into the next point

Use the server’s starting position to select an open target.

What a good read looks like

The read this lesson trains: Find a deep return target away from the server. Decisions where the defender’s visible position decides which side of the court is open, and whether changing direction is worth it. In the interactive lesson you play the rally, make the call, and then read why it worked or did not. The coaching grades the decision, not just the point outcome — a good read can still lose the rally, and the lesson says why.

Part of the Direction change and open court pattern

Every lesson that trains this pattern is collected on the Direction change and open court pattern page.

Related lessons in this pattern

• Pulled wide. What do you play? — SIMULATION-BUILT LESSON · lesson 1 of 50
• Crosscourt passing shot under pressure — ORIGINAL LESSON · lesson 21 of 50
• Down-the-line passing shot — ORIGINAL LESSON · lesson 22 of 50

Free to play

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