A ball travelling past you is not always a lost point. The back glass can give you another chance to return it, provided you understand the bounce and leave yourself room.
First, know which rebound counts
During a rally, a shot must bounce in the opponents’ court before hitting their glass or cage. After that first bounce, the rebound can still be returned before a second floor bounce. A ball that hits the opponents’ enclosure first is out. A serve that lands correctly then touches glass can be valid, but one that touches the cage after its bounce is a fault. These distinctions are explained in the LTA’s wall and rally rules.
Watch a rebound before trying to hit one
Ask a coach or experienced partner to feed a gentle ball so it bounces once and reaches the back glass. For the first few attempts, watch where it comes away from the wall. Your task is to recognise the path, not to produce a winning shot.
Keep the feed predictable. Changing the speed, angle and depth together makes it difficult to understand which change affected the rebound. Start with a straightforward back-glass ball; leave corners and double-wall rebounds for a coached progression.
Build a short practice around one decision
- Watch: let a few gentle feeds rebound while you observe from a safe position.
- Move: adjust your feet to create room beside the returning ball, rather than crowding the glass.
- Return: use a compact, controlled swing towards a generous target across the net.
- Reset: stop and collect loose balls before the next group of feeds.
Ask your coach where to stand and when to turn for the particular feed. Stop if the ball or your partner is too close for a safe swing. The purpose is to make one rebound familiar, not to chase every ball around the enclosure.
Three habits to notice
- Rushing towards the glass: you can end up with no space between your body, racket and the ball. Practise waiting and adjusting instead.
- Preparing a large swing: a cramped backswing makes a defensive situation harder. Start with a small preparation and an easy target.
- Trying to attack every rebound: first aim to return the ball reliably. Discuss attacking choices once the basic movement is comfortable.
Make your next session measurable
Count controlled returns from ten similar feeds, then write down the main difficulty: reading the rebound, moving into position or choosing a target. Repeat the same exercise next time. That note gives a coach something specific to help with and is more useful than simply deciding you are “bad at walls”.
Tell your partner when you intend to let a ball reach the glass so both of you are not swinging for it. Our guide to doubles positioning and communication gives you a few short calls to agree before play.