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Defense drills

Staying in the rally against pressure by blocking, absorbing, retrieving, and working back toward a neutral position.

Drills in this collection

Choose a drill to practise

8 reviewed drills include this focus.See this theme in the glossary.

Accelerate from a soft wall pattern, recover the paddle, and absorb the fast rebound back under control.

Level 3.5–5.0+ · 1 players

Remove the counterattack option and practise compact resets against deliberate pace.

Level 4.0–5.0+ · 2, 4 players

Meet a low rebound just after its floor bounce with a compact forehand or backhand stroke.

Level 3.0–5.0+ · 1 players

Say the height, pace, and intended response to each incoming ball so the read can be reviewed.

Level 3.5–5.0+ · 2, 4 players

Calibrate a soft slice volley with an open, quiet paddle by landing it in your own kitchen, then add only enough swing to reset into the far kitchen.

Level 3.5–5.0+ · 2, 4 players

Give one player repeated chances to construct a well-timed speed-up while the other reads each attack and chooses whether to counter or reset.

Level 3.0–5.0+ · 2, 4 players

Block an unpredictable speed-up without turning the defensive contact into a swing.

Level 4.0–5.0+ · 2, 4 players

Give the midcourt player reset work while the kitchen player practises controlled attacks.

Level 3.5–5.0+ · 2, 4 players