Positioning Part 3 of 4: In the rally

Many players don’t really prioritize the importance of getting back into position after every shot. Instead, they might move half a yard to make a shot, and maybe step back a yard, and think that’s good enough. It’s not. Unless you simply don’t have time to do this, you should always get in the best position possible.

So, where should you position yourself after each shot in a rally? It depends on the shot you just sent to your opponent, its placement and depth, and on the playing style of both you and your opponent. And then it comes down to knowing what the right position should be, and moving towards it instinctively.

For example, if you hit a shot to the left (the opponent’s right), it will be angled to the right, so you should position yourself more that way. But the exact positioning is also based on the opponent. If he’s good at fishing, you need to cover that angle more. If he’s taking slower shots, you can move a little to the side to favor your stronger side. If your shot goes deep, you will probably have more time to react to the return, so you can also favor your stronger side a little more.

Of course, you should also position yourself to favor your strong side, if you have one. Some prefer the forehand; some the backhand; some play completely neutrally. This is where you can do some self-analysis and decide where on this spectrum you are at your best against a particular opponent.

One final note: you should generally NOT move when the opponent hits his shot unless you have anticipated where it is going and are already moving there. If you are out of position and try to get back into position, the opponent will likely hit just behind you, and since you are moving away from that spot, you will not be able to recover. So if you are very much out of position, it is usually better to get into position as much as possible, unless you have left the table completely open, and then come to a complete stop in a well-prepared position. Once you see where the opponent is hitting, you can move quickly in either direction. Unless it’s a very aggressive shot, you can probably at least get to it even if you’re out of position. Or at least you’ll get the opponent to make an aggressive shot that he might miss!