Q: What if the ball is hit so hard off the front wall that it comes off the back wall…all in the air…then bounces once and hits the front wall? Can I play it?

A: Yes, you can play it…the front wall is just another wall…the key issue is that the ball must bounce twice for a rally to be over. The ball described in the question only hits the floor and bounces once. The front wall turns into just another surface. The good news is if you can run this ball down…it’s an easy setup!

Q: I was playing a much younger and taller opponent in a league match last week and he hit the ball into the front wall so hard and high that it carried to the front wall without touching the floor. Once it rebounded and bounced once it was a easy kill, however my opponent claimed it was his point/sideout. Who is right on this one?

A: The ball is playable...it never hit the floor twice which is the only way (other than hitting a player) that ends the rally. The front wall is just another wall when this blast shot occurs... it's all about the bounces. If the blast rule resulted in a point by simply hitting the front wall off the back wall don't you think every pro would make this his rally ending shot? doesn't happen.... because as you say look how easy it is to kill the ball the second time off the front wall.