Tip 18 — Pin the partner at the baseline
When your opponents split their formation and one player is trapped deep while the other is established at the kitchen, resist the temptation to blindly blast the next ball down the middle. Instead, direct your drop or drive specifically at the feet of the deeper player. Pinning the baseline partner away from the net freezes their forward momentum and prevents them from establishing a dual-attacking front.
This tactical isolation forces the baseline player into a compromised stretch or a weak defensive lift. Because their partner at the kitchen cannot easily cover the entire width of the court to bail them out, you create an immediate geometric advantage. Every ball sent deep keeps the incoming player anchored in transition, extending their vulnerability.
Decode the court geometry by recognizing when a partnership is disconnected. By consistently targeting the trailing player, you neutralize their team synergy and dictate the tempo of the rally entirely on your terms.