4. Incoming strike zone (knee, waist or head level). Where an opponent contacts the ball can make a difference in the resulting shot.
5. Previous successful shots. If smart tacticians receive good fortune, they repeat the process.
6. Incoming swing length and speed. Offensive topspin lobs are produced with a long, fast, low-to-high motion. Slice short-angle shots are produced with a short, slow high-to-low mechanical delivery. Recognizing these types of nuances can help a player develop better awareness of the returning ball.
7. Opponent's arrival time. The timing of when an opponent reaches the ball makes a great difference. Desperately lunging opponents are pressed for time and are forced out of most secondary options. By covering their highest-percentage play, a player can force them to attempt low-percentage options.
Developing anticipatory skills is a mind-set. Approaching the net requires attitude as much as aptitude. By having an offensive frame of mind, a hesitant player can achieve quicker response times, which leads to proper positioning. This proactive temperament puts the player in control of the court as the aggressor (instead of reluctantly going to the net to timidly defend against the opponent's passing shots).
In the modern game, spotting when an opponent is vulnerable is one of the most important aspects of storming the net.
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