(By Larry Hodges)

The stronger the player, the more predictable their attacking shots tend to be. Why? Because that’s what makes them consistent. They may be able to make a dozen strong loops in a row, but they often all come out about the same.

So, guess what? All you have to do is make one good block. Just one. Then remember the feel and contact of that one. And repeat. This is true of most shots, but even more true for blocking.

Two tips here. First, keep the racket low when blocking  or you’ll tend to loft the ball off. Second, the sound of your block should be the same each time. But that sound should also match the “feel” of the shot – if you get one, you get the other.

Once you’ve made that one good block, often all you have to do the rest of the way is that same block, over and over. The main adjustment is moving to the ball, i.e., footwork, especially side to side. (You also have to move or reach in for shorter loops.) If your opponent is making lots of strong loops, you can’t get to all of them. But once you make that one good block, then you should be able to block most of them.