Baseline Defence (Part-3)
When too far out of court lob, as it gives you a chance to get in position again. It is a serious mistake to drive a ball when away out of court instead of lobbing. Your opponent, if any kind of a volleyer, would have you at his mercy. On a lob you have some chance to get the next return or, if your opponent misses his chance, to score.
In long returns try for sideline shots. Don't drive the ball back to the center of the court. One should take chances in tennis, as that is the only way to gain confidence in sideline shots.
Many a player has the fault of stepping about two feet into the court after serving. He should either remain back of the baseline or run up for net play. Some have the habit of standing near the danger zone shown in Figure 1 while the ball is in play. Any return with good depth by your opponent will drop right at your feet at that part of the court and will force you to run back to where you should have been in the first place to get the ball.
By stepping into court after serving one is forced to cover twice the amount of ground. He goes forward and then has to go back again.
On net defense your position is half way between the service line and the net. On baseline defense you should be behind the baseline. You will do less running if you are at either of these two positions.
In case you run up for a short return it is advisable to make your return deep and then stay up at the net.
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