So lets get to the most two common examples of when bad is good and good is bad!

1. When bad is good

You are have just received a serve while the server decided to serve and stay back. Somehow you have completely miss-hit the ball hitting a “shank” of the frame causing your return to barely cross the net landing very shallow into the opposite service box sending the server scrambling defensively to the net. Since you miss-hit the ball your natural tendency will be to remain back at your baseline because your shot felt bad and sounded horrible. Then the following happens, the server scrambling, barely gets to your “shank” only to hit a very weak and shallow shot that is un-returnable since you stayed at the baseline. Your shot, as bad as it felt like and sounded like, turned out to be most effective forcing your opponent in a defensive shot selection. Because you stayed back at the baseline and didn’t move up to the service line, you missed your opportunity to put away their weak shot.

2. When good is bad.

You are at the baseline while your opponents are both close to the net. You choose to rip a hard groundstroke between your opponents. Unless you have a semi-western grip or use a lot of topspin, it is going to be very difficult to make the ball drop low at their feet. Since you have decided to hit the ball hard, your shot will most likely sit up at about their waist to shoulder level, allowing them to hit an offensive volley above the level of the net. Your shot might have felt good and sounded good but the out come will not be as effective as you might think.

In conclusion, I am not saying that you should never hit the ball hard but that an unintentional miss hit, “shank” or “blooper” can sometimes be more or just as effective as a well struck ball.

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