Always keep your paddle up and in front of your body, especially when at the kitchen line. With your opponents only 14 feet in front of you, there is little time to react when the action heats up and the dinks turn to drives. Keeping your paddle out in front gives you the best chance of pushing a hard drive right back at your opponent, rather than merely blocking it or, worse, missing it entirely. And always expect every shot to come right back at you—it's not over 'til it’s over!
