down the linechange of directionattacking conditions
Change Direction Down the Line Only When These Three Conditions Are Present
A short ball, good balance, and contact in front are the three conditions that reduce the risk.

Start with this check
Redirecting a deep crosscourt ball down the line while moving asks you to change the incoming direction substantially while aiming into a narrow target.
Try these steps in order
- Confirm that the ball has landed short inside the baseline.
- Judge whether both feet are balanced and you can establish contact in front of your body.
- Aim at a generous area inside the line rather than the line itself, then recover to cover the open court.
Bottom line
A change of direction is more likely to succeed when your ball quality and balance permit it, not simply when you see open space.
Reviewed sources
Technical evidence is shown separately from community topic signals.
Technical evidence
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