Four-wall guide
You can play a ball off the back wall in the enclosed court, which gives you time to set up. This is how the bots have learned to use that.
Serving
- Lead with the drive serve and mix in lobs, Z serves and jams so the receiver cannot sit on one read.
- At game point, serve more Z serves.
Shooting
- A low ball is a chance to shoot from anywhere; the walls keep a missed kill in play.
- Go for the kill more often when the ball comes in low. (a leaning)
- Take a chance on the kill even when the ball is not perfect. (a leaning)
- Attack a ball that sits up a little; it does not have to be at your ankles. (a leaning)
- A lob over the opponent from up front buys time and moves them back. (a leaning)
- Lob to reset the rally when you are deep and under pressure. (a leaning)
- Aim the kill right at the bottom of the wall. (a leaning)
- Keep the kill off the corners and into the front wall clean. (a leaning)
- Keep your drives low and flat. (a leaning)
Reading your opponent
- With your opponent up front on the right, put the kill away for later.
- An opponent in mid court on the left is a good time to attack. (a leaning)
- The kill is on while your opponent is in mid court in the middle.
- Look to shoot once your opponent is deep on the left. (a leaning)
Where to hit it
- Keep the ball further inside the lines; width that goes out is a free point. (a leaning)
- Late in a rally, keep the ball safer and away from the lines.
- Do not hunt the weak hand every time; the open court wins more. (a leaning)
Where to stand
- Between shots, recover further up, closer to the short line. (a leaning)
Under pressure
- When you are behind, stay patient and wait for the right ball. (a leaning)
Doubles
- Stay close to the middle, both of you; the gaps are on the outside.
- Leave the ball to your partner unless you are clearly closer.
What beats each style
Bots play in different styles. Here is what has worked against each.
Power
Hits hard and goes for the kill early.
- On a run of points, stay patient and do not force it.
- Be choosier with the kill: a low ball is a chance, not an order.
- Hold off on the kill while your opponent is in mid court on the right.
Control
Places the ball and waits for a clean opening.
- Keep the ball further inside the lines; width that goes out is a free point.
- On a run of points, stay patient and do not force it.
- Hold off on the kill while your opponent is in mid court on the right.
Retriever
Gets everything back and makes you hit one more.
- Keep your drives low and flat.
- On a run of points, stay patient and do not force it.
- Keep the ball further inside the lines; width that goes out is a free point.
Server
Wins points from the serve and the first return.
- On a run of points, stay patient and do not force it.
- Keep the ball further inside the lines; width that goes out is a free point.
- Hold off on the kill while your opponent is in mid court on the right.
All-rounder
Has no clear weakness and no clear trick.
- On a run of points, stay patient and do not force it.
- Keep the ball further inside the lines; width that goes out is a free point.
- Hold off on the kill while your opponent is in mid court on the right.
Where a line says "a leaning", the bots mostly agree rather than all agree. Left and right are as you stand facing the front wall.