Example #1: If your opponent is at the net, and you’re attempting a passing shot, you definitely want to increase your pace almost 100% of the time. The passing shot is an aggressive (…offensive minded) shot by nature.

You never… I mean *NEVER* want to come in and attempt to execute a backspin (…or defensive) shot when you’re attempting to blow it by him. If you do that, the strategic edge and advantage that you once had, immediately transfers back to your opponent.

And when that happens, you’ve just given your opponent two humongous gifts and it’s not even his birthday:

CONFIDENCE: Now, he feels that he can handle you whenever he decides to come to the net.  He doesn’t fear your passing shot or feel that he can be hurt by it which allows him to be more aggressive.

This will show in his play almost immediately.  He’s going to come to the net more often, determined to make you pay, which is going to leave you on your heals. And, on the other side of things, you would have allowed doubt (…the mental killer) to slither into your mind.  Now you’re going to be more nervous than ever the next time you have a passing opportunity – when that is supposed to be one of your deadliest of weapons.

OPTIONS: You’ve now given him options. He can damage you mentally by easily (…with a smile)  picking off your passing shot, and angling the ball away from you and off court for the winner. Or he can decide to give you a more physical threat and  blast one back at you into your body, possibly leaving you with a fat bruise on your outer thigh to help act as a more visual reminder not to try that again.

And you don’t want that to happen, do you? Of course not.

The “passer” is classified as a “finishing” or “winning” shot across the board. That means, you want to end the point right then and there, and you need a elevated dose of pace and velocity to get the job done. If you do that, you’ll be the one finishing on top.

Example #2: Another great situation is when you’ve built a commanding lead in a game of 40-15 or greater. You can afford to really put some extra hot sauce or some extra spicy mustard on that first serve (…starting to get hungry? haha), and maybe on your 2nd serve as well.

This will no doubt immediately put your opponent on the defense, allowing you to control tempo, be the dictator in the point and give you the momentum we all crave right off the bat.

The reason “why” this  works strategically is because you’ve provided yourself with a cushion.  Just in case that first serve (…or even the second serve) on that point don’t go as you planned, you’ve a few more in reserve. This is about playing “smart” not “hard.” You don’t want to attempt the  “heater” or ultra fast ball, like you’re pitching for the Dodgers in the bottom of the 9th, if the score was reversed, 0-40 or 15-40.

That leaves you hanging by a thread and only gives you one ultra-thin life-line to play with, and if you fail or something surprisingly goes wrong, you’re done. The point, game, match, or even championship could be lost. That’s not smart.