You hit a great attack, and the ball comes right back at you. It's one of the most common mistakes at every level: not being ready for the counter.
The mistake
When you're in control of a point and hit an aggressive shot, it's natural to relax and expect the point to be over. Good opponents won't let it be. In the video above, if I'd been ready for my opponent to counter my first attack, I most likely would have won the point.
The fix: always reset to ready
- Paddle up and in front. Hands ready to block, not hanging at your side.
- Knees bent, wide stance. A strong, stable base gives you balance and control.
- Expect it back. After every attack, assume the ball is coming back harder.
Reach without lunging
The less you reach, the more balanced you stay. That's one reason we gave the Tempo a long 6-inch handle: extra reach in dink battles without overextending.
Take it to the court
Next game, say "ready" in your head after every attacking shot. Paddle up, knees bent. Expect the unexpected, and you'll win the exchanges that used to beat you.
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