Reply to Delphi's recent comments on the post of 21 March

Dear Delphi,

As you noted in your third sentence, the point is that a player must find a happy medium somewhere around the T. 

The happy medium being a position in the central area, that allows a player to effectively cover both the front and the back. Most players move forward better than towards the back, thus can play further away from the front wall. However, if a player really struggles to get to the front, then a central position that is closer to the front is appropriate. But this will put that player at a disadvantage possibly, when they meet an opponent who can hit drives (lengths) for good depth with accuracy.

Generally for most players running forward is easier, than turning and running back to a corner, and then adjusting to a good hitting stance, compared to a more simple run forward.

If you wish to read the new article published on June 11, then you will see specific reference to Nick Matthew and his rear court tactics. His rear court tactics (shot selection) is significantly related to why he positions himself so far forward on the T.

At the same time, while Nick is always trying to be forward on the T, this restricts his options in the rear court. If Nick wanted to have a full range of shots available to him in the rear court, then he would not be able to take such a forward position during the rallies. Nick's positioning, is a result of his preference to use the volley to attack his opponents, but then this preferential tactic for attacking, has ramifications for what he can do in other areas of the court. Nick Matthew is more the exception than the rule at the professional level, when looking at his court positioning. But, he makes it work for his game, because he understands the limitations versus opportunities.

Every player has strengths and weaknesses: physical, as well as technical, and he or she must take these into consideration when figuring out what strategy suits them, and thus deciding what tactics make for an optimal combination to impose these on the game or match at hand.