Unit 1: Wall descent

 

Forehand downswing with back bounce: right-handed players

Definition: The forehand drop shot with backhand bounce is a fundamental offensive stroke in high competition. Depending on the game situation in which they find themselves, they can perform power or precision (angled) downhands to overcome or discomfort the opponents at the net and move to the counterattack.

The coach’s objective is that the players achieve:

• Simple movement mechanics (straight).
• Good footwork.
• Good contact point with the ball. 
• Effective and safe execution.

The continental grip allows good executions and continues the play without having to make changes.

It will allow contact with the ball from different sides achieving effects, flat shots and different directions and curves.

To achieve this you only need to make a wrist adjustment.

The waiting position

The posture should be

• With the legs bent.
• The body is leaning forward with the back curved.
• The elbows next to the body, forming a triangle with the elbows and hands.
• With the head of the paddle slightly high.

Progression of the right wall descent.

1. The classic tray type preparation is:

• Straight at shoulder height (forming an L with the arm) or a little higher depending on the eight of the stroke.
• With a medium or wide portion
• Bringing the paddle back with the simultaneous turn.
• Flatter or cut.
• Placing the body perpendicular to the net.
• The left hand goes on the right side pointing to the ball.

2. The smash type preparation is:

• Overhead preparation (like the smash) higher or lower depending on the height of the impact.
• With a medium or wide portion depending on the direction of delivery.
• Bringing the paddle back with the simultaneous turn of waist and shoulders.
• Placing the body perpendicular to the net.
• The left hand points to the ball (forming a W with the player’s shoulders and head).

The feet are placed on the ground so that when we hit the ball we can make the curve towards the left foot.

The chaining of the joints is complete (shoulder, elbow, wrist), using a greater swing amplitude depending on the type of stroke and the direction (parallel, center, cross or angled).

The point of impact should be higher between the left leg and the center of the body, depending on the objective of the delivery.

The completion of the stroke is like the smash, the arm at the end of the impact goes to the left pocket.

The variations of this stroke will be according to

• The intended target (parallel, cross, angled, center).
• The height at which the ball is hit.
• The distance from the net at which it is hit (angle of the shoulders).
• The power that the player decides to use
• The player’s control of the stroke.

Technique: the forehand wall outlet has a preparation gesture similar to that of a tray, with the difference that it is with a bounce, being an offensive solution for high rebounds, especially from balloons. 

The quick positioning of the body behind the ball prior to the stroke will allow to manage the timing of the stroke, thus being able to:

• To have a benefit by means of that small pause.
• Hit the ball forward or in the center of the body.
• Hide the intention of the shot, deceive
• To be able to transfer the weight of the body better. 
• Better linking of the stroke.
• Finish the shot towards the intended target.

Tactics: as coaches we must consolidate in the players the tactics of the forehand down the wall, teaching them to perform all the variants of executions and to choose the most appropriate, considering the following points: 

• To know the degree of success they have with that execution and to the same place.
• Use the geometry of the court.

For example: the cross stroke has the diagonal of the court and a higher probability of success.

• Analyze the position in which the opponents are standing.
• Observe the location of our partner.
• Evaluate the speed of the delivery that is more harmful to the opponent because of his type of play.
• Play the delivery to the weak points of the opponents.
• Avoid their strengths.
• Make a calculation of possibilities depending on how they reach the ball.
• At what moment to use the variants of down the wall, the classic tray style or smash type.
• The better the player’s level of play, the more options of shot variations he/she will have.

Backhand backhand downswing with backhand rebound: right-handed players

Definition: The backhand backhand drop shot with backhand bounce is a fundamental offensive stroke in high competition.

Depending on the game situation in which they find themselves, they can perform power or precision angled downswings seeking to overcome or discomfort the opponents at the net and pass to the counterattack. counter-attack.

The coach’s objective is that the players achieve the following:

• Simple movement mechanics (straight).
• Good footwork.
• Good contact point with the ball.
• Effective and safe execution

The continental grip allows good executions and to continue the play without having to make changes.

It will allow contact with the ball from different sides achieving effects, flat shots and to different directions and curves, they should only make a wrist adjustment.

The waiting position

The posture should be:

• With the legs bent.
• The body is leaning forward with the back curved.
• The elbows next to the body forming a triangle with the elbows and hands.
• With the blade with the head slightly high.

Progression of the backhand wall dive

The classic preparation is:

• Straight at shoulder height or slightly higher depending on the height of the stroke.
• Bringing the paddle back with the help of the left hand and with the arms closer to the body.
• With a medium or wide portion depending on the power of the stroke.
• Simultaneously turning the waist and shoulders in preparation.
• Opening more or less the angle of the paddle to hit flat or cut.
• Placing the body perpendicular to the net or a little with your back to the net (without exaggerating so as not to turn your back to your opponents).

The support of the feet by their separation and grip to the ground will allow them to hit, making a good transfer of the weight of the body towards the right foot.

The linking of the joints is complete (shoulder, elbow, wrist), using a greater or wider swing depending on the type of stroke and the direction (parallel, center, cross or angled).

The point of impact should be higher between the right leg and the center of the body, depending on the objective of the delivery.

The completion of the stroke: The line should coincide with the intended target, with a reaction of the left arm back at the moment of impact for more stability during the execution.

The variations of this stroke will be according to:

• The intended target (parallel, cross, angled, center).
• The height at which the ball is hit.
• The distance from the net at which it is hit (angle of the shoulders).
• The power that the player decides to use.
• The player’s control of the stroke.

Technique: the backhand wall exit has a gesture similar to that of a high backhand.

It is an offensive solution for high rebounds, especially from lobs.

The quick positioning of the body behind the ball prior to the stroke will allow you to manage the timing of the stroke.

In this way you will be able to:

• Have a benefit by means of that small pause. Hit the ball forward or to the center of the body.
• Hide the intention of the shot, deceive.
• To be able to transfer the weight of the body better.
• Better linking of the stroke.
• Finish the shot towards the intended target.

Tactics: as coaches we must consolidate in the players the tactics of the backhand down the wall, teaching them to perform all variants of executions and to choose the most appropriate considering the following points:

• Knowing the degree of success they have with that execution and to the same place.
• Use the geometry of the court.

For example: the cross stroke has the diagonal of the court and a higher probability of success.

Analyze the position in which the opponents are standing.

• Observe the location of our partner. 
• Evaluate the speed of the delivery that is more harmful to the opponent because of his type of play.
• Play the delivery to the weak points of the opponents.
• Avoid their strengths.
• Make a calculation of possibilities depending on how they get to the ball.
• At what moment to use the variants of down the wall, the classic tray style or smash type.

The better the player’s level of play, the more options of shot variations he/she will have.

Displacements: a correct displacement will guarantee the success of the shot as it will allow similar executions.

They will have to get used to leave the ball sideways, always with backward steps, and then adjust forward with adjusting steps.

The player will lose more or less steps from the initial position depending on the speed of the incoming ball.

When the opponent’s ball comes low, the player’s body will move back more flexed and with the preparation of the backswing lower.

The right foot will be anchored to the ground to achieve a better balance and a good direction of execution.

Drill: You should start by practicing the wall downswing:

• With the basket looking to perform repetitions of similar strokes to automate the movement (regularity). Making variants of descents: powerful, cut, angled and slow.
• Training in rallies, trying to use each execution in a timely manner depending on the situation.

Note: to master the wall rebounds, the player must learn to read the opponent’s ball:

• Understand the degree of difficulty.
• See the type of ball he will receive.
• See where the opponent will execute the shot.
• Plan the proper solution of the shot.

Pre-execution analysis: if the opponent’s ball bounces high and close to the service line, you can execute an offensive stroke.

If the ball is low and close to the back wall, he will play a lob or a more controlled shot to gain time to recover a good defensive position and continue the play.

The analysis and decision making of each execution is decisive and marks the level of your game.