P123 point building

The P123 phases

P1 · NEUTRAL

The reply is deep. How do you build? You are behind the baseline. The defender is deep too.

• Heavy crosscourt — GOOD READ: A high, deep diagonal keeps the rally neutral while moving the defender.
• Deep through middle — FAIR OPTION: The largest deep target limits sharp replies and gives you time to recover.
• Change down the line — TOUGH CHOICE: It can work with clean balance, but this early redirection travels a shorter path near the higher part of the net.

P2 · ATTACK

A short ball arrives. Where do you attack? You are inside the baseline. The defender is still deep.

• Approach into open space — GOOD READ: Depth and placement move the opponent and let you continue toward the net.
• Drop shot — FAIR OPTION: The opponent starts deep, making touch plausible.
• Flat toward right line — TOUGH CHOICE: This flat drive aims near the right sideline.

P3 · USE THE OPENING

The reply floats back. Where is the opening? Check the defender’s side of the court before your next shot.

• Place to open court — GOOD READ: A controlled placement into the exposed half forces a long recovery run.
• Toward defender’s side — FAIR OPTION: The defender already occupies this half.
• Flatten near sideline — TOUGH CHOICE: A flat ball close to the line removes your margin.

P1 · Neutral · P2 · Attack · P3 · Finish

Note: a separate, standalone Patterns experience is not built yet. These pattern pages index the patterns as they appear in the lessons; they are not a separate Patterns product.

Lessons that use this pattern

• P1 → P2 → P3: Build, attack, finish — lesson 2 · ORIGINAL LESSON
• Turn defense into offense — lesson 34 · SIMULATION-BUILT LESSON
• P123: Earn the first attack (one decision) — lesson 50 · SIMULATION-BUILT LESSON