Revealing Anna Leigh's Secret Strategy For Court Domination!

Hey there, it’s your coach, Jordan Briones.

People often assume that the right side player is just there to keep the ball in play. Reset when needed. Stay consistent. Set up the left side attacker. And while there is some truth to that, I want to challenge that idea. Because players like Anna Leigh Waters are showing us that the right side can be just as dangerous, just as aggressive, and just as game-changing.

I have been paying close attention to how the best players approach this position, and it is clear that the right side is no longer just about support. It is about pressure, smart decision making, and knowing exactly when to attack.

Take the dink, for example. Most people think of dinking as neutral, soft, and safe. But the right side opens up something different. When you put topspin on a backhand dink, suddenly it is not just a rally ball anymore. It dives into your opponent’s kitchen, forcing a rushed response or even a pop up. It looks controlled, but in reality it is pressure with purpose. The key is in the execution! Using your legs, brushing up through the ball, keeping your paddle face slightly closed, when you do it right, your dink is no longer just a reset. It becomes a weapon.

Another situation every right side player faces is the dreaded inside foot dink. It is that awkward ball that lands right in front of your toes, leaving you unsure whether to step back, volley, or let your partner take it. The best players do not panic there. They neutralize. They trust their feet, create space, and send the ball back with control, often to their opponent’s inside foot or backhand side. Sometimes they volley it early to steal time. And yes, if they have a partner who is aggressive and comfortable, they may even let them take it. The decision gets easier with practice, and the more you trust your instincts, the more natural it feels.

Then there are dead dinks. Not all dinks are equal, and every right side player needs to learn how to recognize the difference. A high, floaty dink with no spin, no angle, and no pressure is an opportunity. That is the moment to strike. You step in, move your feet to create space, and speed up the ball with intention. You aim for the paddle hip, the shoulder, or the backhand, not just anywhere. And you do it with calmness and purpose, not panic. That is how you turn a weak dink into your moment to take control of the rally.

When you start to see the game this way, the right side no longer feels like the “safe” side. It becomes just as threatening as the left. You learn when to apply pressure, how to neutralize the tough balls, and when to unleash the right speed-up at the right time. These are skills you can practice. They are decisions you can train your mind and body to make. And once you do, you will stop being just a support player. You will become a true problem for your opponents.

See you on the court,

Your coach,
Jordan Briones