The Transition Zone

The transition zone is an area of the court that has been identified by players as a place where they shouldn’t stay during a rally.

It’s truly an area of transitioning from the baseline to the non-volley zone and not a spot that you want to get caught playing in.

It’s truly no man’s land. Players looking to increase their level spend many hours drilling various shots and strategies to make it an easier transition for themselves.

Let's talk a bit more about the transition zone...

Image credit: Sara McInnes

Just a short disclaimer, I'm not saying that you cannot be there or should not be in the transition zone! The purpose of this newsletter is to stress that you shouldn't stay there for any longer than you need to...

Anyway, a really good team might make it difficult for you to leave the zone, so, I'll start with some common reasons why you’ll find yourself in the Transition Zone:

After the Return of Serve: If your return of serve is shallow, or the other team can approach the ball quickly, they may strike the ball before you can get yourself through the zone. There’s nothing wrong with this, just be prepared to hit the 4th and possibly even the 6th shot (or more) in this area of the court.

After the Third Shot: If you or your teammate's 3rd isn’t that dipping drive or descending drop shot and they are able to push the ball right back at you, chances are you’ve made a step or two inside the court, landing you in the Transition Zone. 

When the opponents have pushed you off your NVL: This scenario is that the other team has done a good job of hitting low dinks, likely down at your feet or off to your side forcing you to move back and laterally. Before you know it, the team has pushed you back off of the NVL about 4-5 feet.

When the opposing team has hit a shallow lob shot. If you can reach the ball you’ll more than likely attempt an overhead smash - but that lob will still push you back into the Transition Zone. The other scenario is that you’ve chosen to let the ball drop, again, likely in the Transition Zone).

Finally, when the opposing team has hit a good lob shot and your or your teammate has run back to retrieve the lob, most likely around the baseline area - your counter shot has kept you in the rally and you’re looking to make your way back up to the NVL and regain control of it.

As much as people preach “get to the non-volley line as fast as possible”, it’s not always the case to do so with all of the common scenarios mentioned above. There's a valuable lesson in learning to be patient if you find yourself stuck there after your return.

Here are some options for you to consider as you look to increase your strategies with the Transition Zone:

Be as prepared as possible for the ball to come to you. The other team will want to keep you pushed back for as long as possible, if you and your partner are both stuck in this area they might hit it to you and if it’s just you pushed back then even more reason to be ready - they will continue to hit to the person furthest away from the NVL.

Aim to hit a shot that resets the entire rally - this can be done off of the bounce or a volley, either way, the shot you’re looking for is low to the net that descends and lands deep in the kitchen or at the other team’s feet.

Any kind of reset that gets the other team’s head down, looking at the ball means that they’re more than likely going to let the ball bounce, and therefore, that gives you time to advance a few steps (or recover all the way to the kitchen); 

Keep in mind that high-level players will attack from this zone if given the chance, which is usually when they can read that the other team isn’t anticipating their attacking offense. They will read the play based on the other teams’ body language but also will aim to set up a play like this 1-3 shots in advance.

High-level players will often set themselves or their partners up for an attack shot from this zone such as an erne or a strong volley they are hitting while moving through the air towards the NVL.

Image credit: Sara McInnes

While in this zone there are some moves that are not recommended:

Large back swings through your shot - compress your swing and hit more of a punch volley. This is easier said than done if there seems to be an offensive opportunity - imagine that higher, slow ball and you running through the transition zone with the arm pulled back thinking you  I’ve been here before - the eyes get big, the heart rate picks up and you’re anticipating that winning opportunity - but try to not let the opportunity get the best of you - maintain control of the body and mind. Even if you hit a solid shot it may not even end the rally. Pull the paddle back but not too far, and keep control of your arm. Then let the body do the rest of the work - and - always expect that ball to come back to you.

Attack by using high, flat balls that the other team can “punch” back and down at your feet - if you hit a flat attack you may not have the time to recover the paddle back to neutral and you’ll find yourself being attacked right back.

Lob from the Transition Zone - although it might feel “safer” to hit a lob from here, because you’ve got the feeling there’s more margin for error - unless you can do so off of a volley chances are that your set up and body language is very obvious to the other team, giving them time to prepare, which is likely to back up and put themselves in a good position to counter with a smash or another offensive option.

This article was taken from our 'Control the Kitchen' Newsletter, if you're interested in receiving more content like this, please feel free to sign up using the subscribe section located at the bottom left of this page (or underneath the article if you're on mobile), thanks!