Approach down the line

The decision

Decision: A short ball allows an approach. Where do you put it?

You are inside the baseline. The defender is toward your right, deep in court.

• Approach down line — Cover the pass — GOOD READ: Your shot targets the opponent’s left, away from where the defender started. The ball lands 0.8 m inside the sideline. The defender travels 4.7 m across court and returns deep in this example.
• Approach crosscourt — Open a passing lane — FAIR OPTION: Your shot gives the defender a target they can reach without a long sideways run. The ball lands 1.2 m inside the sideline. The defender travels 1.6 m across court and returns deep in this example.

What to take into the next point

Your approach direction changes the defender’s passing angles.

What a good read looks like

The read this lesson trains: Choose a first approach target and anticipate the reply. Moving forward behind an approach, then placing a compact first volley instead of forcing a winner. 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 Approach and first volley pattern

Every lesson that trains this pattern is collected on the Approach and first volley pattern page.

Related lessons in this pattern

• First volley into open space — SIMULATION-BUILT LESSON · lesson 25 of 50
• Place the first volley after approach — ORIGINAL LESSON · lesson 26 of 50
• First volley after coming forward — SIMULATION-BUILT LESSON · lesson 42 of 50

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