Sun and Wind Platform

Steps

1. 01Set up facing into the sun, or into the wind if there is no sun to fight.
2. 02Have a partner serve or toss floaters at you from across the net.
3. 03Track the ball with a flat hand shading your eyes until the last moment, then get both hands to the platform.
4. 04Take the ball early and in front rather than letting it drift: outdoors a late ball is still moving.
5. 05Pass 15, then turn around and pass 15 with the sun and wind behind you so the difference is obvious.

Common mistakes

• Squinting and tracking with the head rather than shading with a hand, so the ball disappears at the top of its arc.
• Waiting for the ball to arrive, which outdoors means passing it after the wind has already moved it.
• Swinging the platform at a floater instead of angling it and letting the ball rebound.