Attacking the dink: the roll volley

Setup

1. Pairs straight across from each other at the kitchen lines, both wearing protective eyewear.
2. One player is the attacker for three minutes, then roles swap.

How it runs

1. The pair dinks. The defender mixes in a dink that floats a little higher and deeper every few balls, so the attacker gets chances to choose from.
2. When a dink is at or above net height and the attacker can reach it in front of the body, they take it out of the air with a roll volley: a short, low-to-high topspin swing that sends the ball down at the defender's feet or into an open space.
3. Low dinks stay dinks. If the attacker rolls a ball that was below the net, the defender scores a point.
4. The defender blocks the roll volley back softly and the point plays out. First to 7, then swap.

Coaching points

• A roll volley is still a volley: the usual kitchen rules apply. Feet stay behind the line, and the follow-through must not carry you into the kitchen.
• Choose the ball first. The best balls to roll are above net height and slightly to the paddle side.
• Keep the swing compact: start below the ball, finish around shoulder height, and let the topspin bring it down.
• Aim low: the opponent's feet, the hip on the paddle side or the gap. Never aim at the face; below the shoulders only.
• Recover the paddle to the ready position straight away; a good defender will block it back quickly.

Common mistakes

• Attacking a low dink and lifting it up for the opponent to hit down.
• Swinging big from the shoulder, which is slow and sends the ball long.
• Leaning in so far that a foot touches the line after the shot.
• Admiring the shot and getting caught by the counter.