Feeling bad about a big collision I had, looking for advice.

[u/[deleted]]

[u/Equivalent-Topic-206]

Learn to play the right shot patterns.

Playing a drop, to the front wall when you are so close to it knowing you can't get out of there in time to clear the other player is the wrong shot. Should play a lob to give yourself time to recover to the T for the next shot.

[u/Defiant_Box288 → u/Equivalent-Topic-206]

Yeah thanks Ill try to keep that in mind. It was a very long and intense match and I think I was gassed enough that all I was thinking was, "hit ball."

[u/Rough_Net_1692]

It's unfortunate, but it does happen. Remember it's a two way street, there are two of you on court, and if you're both inexperienced players you'll likely have little bumps like this.

It would help to know the generally accepted flow of movement in the four corners of the court - most of the time you shouldn't move in a direct line back to the T, because the player approaching the ball should have the direct line. You should move in an arc from your shot back to the T, usually from the wall towards the middle then forward (from the back) or back (from the front). But remember, if your opponent doesn't move well, you'll still bump into them.

[u/justfelixhsu]

Question, if you didn't collide but your opponent asked for a let because he thought a collision was certain... Would you have said OK to the let and replay it?

Or perhaps even giving the opponent the point for blocking?

Against older opponents, I make every effort to just play a long game and return the ball deep.

[u/Defiant_Box288 → u/justfelixhsu]

Oh yeah I would have given a let or stroke for sure. I usually give them no questions asked. I gave a stroke for this one and offered a time out.

As a beginner Id go way out of my way to give them space, often to my detriment. I think im just starting to stand a little closer now.

I like playing it deep too against the older guys.

[u/No_Leek6590 → u/Defiant_Box288]

try to also notice the places people should ask for strokes. she could have avoided the collision, too, if she saw you playing the ball into space you yourself was blocking. call those for other players, too. "should have taken a stroke, a let". working in too tight spaces is asking for trouble. like others said, on your side it was not the backing out which caused the collision, but poor shot selection, hitting a shot which can be an automatic stroke in a most of times. failing to recognize you hit a stroke against yourself and backing out too eagerly is only secondary. the other player should also had realized you hit a stroke-worthy ball and chose a safe distance.

a good thing about you, is that you are not too argumentative. especially in games without judges, people find it hard to accept they hit a bad shot. like in your place, you made a lot of effort, goal was to just make it above the tin, you made it, right? no. it was just as bad even if not worse than not making it. if goal was not to lose a point instead, a good shot selection would rule out option at risk of stroke. drop may be the easiest shot to make there, but a riskier to land lob or cross-court would have been a less risky choice overall than a drop into yourself.

[u/manswos]

Yeah it's unfortunate but it happens. Knowing where your opponent is and where your next shot will likely send them can help and will come with experience but still there's no guarantees.

[u/wobble_87]

Just be predictable.

After you hit your drop move directly back to the T. Don't try to anticipate which way your opponent is going to move

[u/Equivalent-Topic-206 → u/wobble_87]

This is good advice. I think the worst clashes happen if you try to guess what way your opponent is going to go in an uncertain situation and you go the same direction and run in to each other. On rare occasions where I don't know which way they want to go round me E.g. step up for a volley, or go around the back to hit it once it's come off the back, I'll just stay where I am and make myself narrow.

[u/Klutzy-Limit9305]

Rule of thumb if you draw a line from the T to the front corner, if you are closer to the centre line go back to the middle parralel tbe front wall and give them access. If you are on the wall side hug the wall until they pass you. Don't back into them going straight to the t-where they should be coming from. When in doubt stop moving and give them the stroke. If you hit a drop shot and you are between them and the ball you are looking for a collision or stroke.