6th Ball Attack

A strategy in which the receiver hits a less powerful attack on their first stroke after the serve return (the 4th stroke of the rally), and then hits a very powerful attack on their next stroke (the 6th stroke of the rally).

Some 6th ball attacks are planned from the beginning of the serve return, with the receiver having a specific 4th ball stroke in mind to prepare for the 6th ball attack. Other 6th ball attacks take place when the server cannot make a planned 4th ball attack, and uses a less powerful stroke, (usually slower and with heavier topspin), hoping to set up a chance for a 6th ball attack instead.