Berkhamsted School
Eton Fives Club
Shot Handbook
This book belongs to:___________________________________
This book remains the property of Berkhamsted School.
AST&DLF
www.etonfives.org
Fives Etiquette
• Answer invitations to play promptly and accurately.
• Arrive on time in appropriate kit.
• Be generous towards your opponent and your
partner. Your own enjoyment should come last.
• Play competitively – be a good loser, but also a
good winner – there is usually someone out there
better than you.
• In play: Offer lets frequently & accept them meanly.
Be aware of carrying the ball, brushes off clothing,
fingertips, etc. Play the ball where possible rather
than waiting for a let.
Getting Better at Fives
 Keep your head still
 Always try and play the ball back into the buttress,
DON’T DUMP IT OUT
 Feet and shoulders should be side on to where you want
the ball to go
 Accuracy is more important than power
 Try to be precise with every shot
 Play your shots with a margin for error
 Never give up on a ball or a rally – one day you will get
there
 Get back to base!
Use this book to help you find the ‘gaps’ on a Fives court to
stretch your opponents
Cutting
A good cutter should be able to vary his cut accordingly and place the ball at specific points to beat his
opposition.
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1.
2.
3.
4.
ACCEPT THE RIGHT SERVE! Don’t be afraid to refuse a serve but be sure to be clear about
where you want the ball to land. As a general rule nice and far right with no spin
Start about mid-way back along left hand-side wall. This will give you time to move into the shot
to judge the bounce of the ball
Hand should be up high, probably around ear height if not a bit higher
Perform a ‘chopping’ action so that hand ends up down by left knee
Power is generated by core NOT from the arm; if you only use your arm you will damage it over
time
Have three targets to aim for:
Low left toe: requires a good amount of backspin as well as pace aiming to strike low at their left
toe
High left shoulder: a cut deliver at pace to ‘pin’ your opposition into the buttress. Hit the ball
hard but more flat so hand doesn’t need to start as high; be careful not to go too high and hit top
of buttress as ball will fly out of play
Hole/Pepperpot: A winner every time! Cut must hit tight in the corner and have a very far right
serve. Useful against those who only return “under the wall”
BONUS CUT! Down the line! Can be a useful one to chuck in a once or twice in a match; ball
must be kept very tight to right hand wall, be careful not to hit it out! Also useful against lefthanders
Positioning
Before Rally Commences
Server – Middle and edge
of top-step position to give
good serve, DON’T serve
from cut-return position
Cutter – Starting position
can vary but roughly half
way along wall to give
time to move into and
strike cut
Cutter’s partner – Deep at
back but ON court, on toes
ready to catch any miss-hit
cuts
Server’s partner – Middle
and just off back-step, on
toes ready to get cut’s
down the line, round three
walls and out, or fumbled
catches from cutter’s
partner
Positioning
During Rally Commences
Server – Moves to hold
Base position after cutreturn, but must still make
space for opponent to play
shots, prepare to defend a
volley!
Both back court players
can see line into buttress
and if ball is coming out or
staying in there giving
more time to react
Cutter – Moves to hold
Base position; momentum
of cut should take him to
top-step looking for volley
if they failed to cut
opposition down
Server’s & Cutter’s partners
– Deep and just off middle of
back court, must be prepared
to push up where necessary
looking for mid-court volleys
->>> apply pressure!
Cut Return
Perfect cut return as this is
denying the opposition a
chance to volley the ball
Good cut return as you are playing
the ball back into the line of where
the cut has come from
Bad cut return as you are playing
across the line of the ball and back
into yourself
Cut Return - Advanced
Variation When used
Technique
Left Hand/
Side Saddle
Opposition has
powerful high cut
often hitting body OR
If you’re Left Handed!
•
•
•
•
Under the
Wall
Opposition has
powerful cut and can’t
very it or find line
Test opponents ability
to hit a good length
• Position body with back to wall and whole body below ledge height
• Should be just be off line of buttress; if too close into buttress won’t
get balls that hit side wall/buttress and if too far along wall from
buttress won’t get balls that strike buttress first
• If ball hits side wall then buttress = big sweep with right hand to
retrieve ball
• If ball hits buttress then side wall = big sweep with left hand to
retrieve ball
• Should be trying to retrieve the ball off the side wall and up onto
front wall as opposed to ‘digging’ it straight up onto wall
Left foot in hole, right foot on top-step
Left hand starts low in buttress
Creates a natural swing through body to block ball back in line
If high and hard can leave to hit buttress and chase with no worry
of hitting your own body (taken it out of the equation)
Cut Return - Advanced
Variation When used
Technique
Spin Out
Opposition often hits
high or hard cut, or
add for variation if
cant find consistent cut
return pattern
• Spin so that body pivots off of left foot and adopt the under the wall
position
• Timing is key, move to early and opposition has time to very, too late
and not enough time for you to retrieve ball
Spin In
Works well paired
with Under the wall,
double-bluff opponent
as they can sometimes
slow down cut to find
a good line
• Start in under the wall position
• Spin so that body pivots off of left foot and you spring back in to
normal cut-return position into buttress
• Again timing is key; move too early and opponent can vary cut, too
late and you will likely be hit by their cut!
“SLAP ATTACK”
DESCRIPTION:
Slap the ball firmly from back court, low into the
buttress.
TECHNIQUE:
Get both hands up, lean towards target, with
left foot forward. Swing hand down towards left
knee whilst pulling down from the stomach.
Push chin towards target and keep watching
the ball.
NOTES:
• Aim at least 1 foot above the ledge for safety.
• Spin the ball down to base of buttress.
• Aim for the hole to force opponent to play the
ball?
• Or - Don’t aim for the hole – it is easier for
your opponent to block with the right hand.
• Watch the pace: length is more important
BACK LEFT “SLAP ATTACK”
DESCRIPTION:
Power the ball to back left hand corner.
TECHNIQUE:
From back step, slap hard from right ear to left
knee, whilst leaning heavily towards target.
Keep feet wide apart, and bend knees as
necessary. Give it some welly!
NOTES:
• Time it so you hit the ball just in front of you.
• Aim at least 1 foot above the ledge.
• Use a touch of back spin to keep it in court.
• After playing, stay up court and wait for
volley!
“CUT ATTACK”
(Dossi Special)
DESCRIPTION:
Play shot around the right corner like a cut.
TECHNIQUE:
Hands up, bend knees as necessary. Slap hard
from right ear to left knee. Pull upper body
down from tummy. Transfer weight from back to
front foot through shot.
3
1
5
2
4
NOTES:
• If not slapped and there is no backspin, then
there is a danger of the ball going out off the
top of the buttress.
• It is best to hit too shallow an angle than too
deep, so the ball goes to the left back bricks
instead of coming round.
• Practice from different points on the back
step.
RIGHT HAND “SHARP SHOOTING”
DESCRIPTION:
Attacking right handed volley hit into the
buttress so it rolls. This is the easiest way to win a
rally.
TECHNIQUE:
Left foot towards ball, aim with left hand. Get
the right hand up EARLY by right ear! Snap
down on the ball from elbow, keep it compact.
NOTES:
• Compact action = less to go wrong.
• The harder you hit, the less likely the ball is to
roll.
• Hole or buttress? You decide…
•Can also be adjusted to be played as hard as
possible THROUGH Base going towards back
left corner, aiming to hit opposition. Good
against left handers
BACK LEFT SLAM VOLLEY “Bricks!!”
DESCRIPTION:
Slam volley from mid/front court, off back
corners.
TECHNIQUE:
Hand up early, then lots of weight going
forwards. Attack the ball, hit it just in front of
you. Give it everything.
NOTES:
• Forget the buttress, hit through base.
• If you hit your opponent – ask after his welfare
but don’t apologise.
• A touch of spin will keep the ball in court
• Partner may need to get out of the way –
behind the buttress.
“CORNER VOLLEY”
DESCRIPTION:
Volley around corner like the cut.
TECHNIQUE:
Step across with left foot, and volley around the
corner into buttress. Always start on base, and
bounce back after execution.
NOTES:
• This can be hit harder than a ‘Sharp Shooting’
direct volley, as the corner will bring the ball
down.
• Use it as a variation to keep your opposition
on their toes.
“THREE WALL VOLLEY”
(left handed or right handed)
DESCRIPTION:
Volley with left or right hand around top court to
bring ball behind the buttress. Especially useful
when the back court opponent has been
worked off court.
TECHNIQUE:
Standard volley, onto left wall. It may be
necessary to lean back to achieve this.
NOTES:
• Do not hit too hard, the more it bounces the
easier it is to retrieve.
• Aim to hit the right wall as low as possible so
the ball rolls.
• Confuses opponents who leave it for each
other.
LEFT HANDED “SHARP SHOOTING”
DESCRIPTION:
Left handed volley attack into the buttress.
TECHNIQUE:
Left hand up by left ear early! Right foot towards
ball, side on to left hand wall. Swing from elbow
only – compactness is key. Spring back to
base.
NOTES:
• One of the key shots in the game.
• Don’t flap. Strong base.
• Get the pace right.
BACK RIGHT “VOLLEY ATTACK”
(left handed)
DESCRIPTION:
Slam volley with left hand to back right corner.
TECHNIQUE:
Hand up early, opposite foot forwards, transfer
weight forwards through shot.
NOTES:
• This shot can be effective against both left or
right handers.
• Played badly – which it often is by right
handers – it gives away a strong position to
volley into buttress & gives an easy return
• Left handers love this shot – don’t feed them.
LEFT HAND “BLOCK VOLLEY”
DESCRIPTION:
Block opponent’s attacking shot flat back into
buttress.
TECHNIQUE:
Wrong foot forwards (left foot), and left hand up
at left shoulder, take all body weight on left foot
as you push left hand forwards in a ‘Stop’ sign.
Same for low shots, but use the ‘wrong foot’
technique underarm, with the left hand starting
at the knee.
NOTES:
• Practice, practice, practice, practice,
practice…
• An essential shot that becomes instinctive.
THE “PRESSURE COOKER”
DESCRIPTION:
Left or right handed volley over the buttress
onto the front wall, back into the buttress.
TECHNIQUE:
Start on base, side on, hands up early, aim with
other hand. Snap down from elbow,
compactness is key.
NOTES:
• A player under pressure will often attempt to
‘escape’ a top step rally by floating a ball over
the buttress.
• Move in swiftly from back court* to keep the
pressure on by sending it straight back into the
base of the buttress.
• Watch your top step opponent crumble under
the pressure!
* or top court if you are Tom Dunbar
MID-COURT “SLAP VOLLEY”
DESCRIPTION:
Volley slapped into buttress from anywhere mid
court.
TECHNIQUE:
Flex knees, slap from right ear to left knee,
volley to base of buttress.
A
B
NOTES:
• When the back court player “pushes up”
looking for the volley, this is the most likely shot
they will play.
• A variant – B – targets the man on base and
the back left.
• Super attacking – Shrewsbury style
“GET OUT OF JAIL”
DESCRIPTION:
The best way to get out of trouble if stuck in a
defensive position, with back to front wall.
TECHNIQUE:
With back to front wall, strike hard with big
swing from left hand to hit ball around walls.
Whilst ball is travelling quickly move back to
base.
NOTES:
• An ‘escape’ – as its name suggests
• Alternative: hit softly to skim along ledge and
hope your opponent doesn’t reach it…
•Can also be played starting from Base as a
chase and retrieve
“RIGHT CORNER ATTACK”
DESCRIPTION:
Hit hard into the right corner with left hand to
land in the back left corner.
TECHNIQUE:
Right foot forwards, big backswing, pivot
around waist leaning heavily into the shot.
Keep the left arm straight when hitting the shot,
like a helicopter blade.
NOTES:
• Attack the ball, but this is really an escape
shot when caught in a rally on top step against
a strong player.
• You are unlikely to win the rally, but expect
this shot to give you a volley - look for it!
•Can also be played as a left hand volley
“LEFT CORNER ATTACK”
DESCRIPTION:
Hit hard into the left corner to land in the back
right corner.
TECHNIQUE:
Left foot forwards, big backswing, pivot around
waist leaning heavily into the shot. Keep the
Right arm straight when hitting the shot, like a
helicopter blade or like skimming a stone.
NOTES:
• You should aim to just miss the back buttress,
although anywhere in the target area is tough
on your opponent.
• A hard shot to get just right
• A good shot against a poor opponent
•Can also be played as a volley
THE “GRANNY”
DESCRIPTION:
Underarm shot looped slowly over the top step
opponent to back corner – usually right to left.
TECHNIQUE:
Sideways on. Early backswing. Swing like clock
pendulum, with plenty of follow-through, whilst
gently leaning towards target.
NOTES:
• Only use this shot in defence, or if more
attacking shots are not possible or suitable.
• A good shot against bad players – use it early
in a match to find a weakness.
• Push up for a volley if you play a good shot.
• The shot to the right corner is rarely expected.
SIDE WALL DRIVE – “BRICKS”
DESCRIPTION:
From mid/back court, drive ball hard to back
right corner. Especially useful against lefthanders.
TECHNIQUE:
Slap the ball from right ear to left knee to
create backspin. Transfer weight forwards
through shot.
Or like skimming a stone – come under the ball.
NOTES:
• Ensure feet are aligned correctly.
• Touch of spin important to keep ball in play
• A variation – play against opponents who
push up a lot.
• This shot is for hard hitters!
“CORNER TO CORNER”
DESCRIPTION:
Back left corner to back right corner, by
playing at the centre of the front wall.
TECHNIQUE:
Slap with a left hand over arm shot. Ensure your
right foot is across, so the ruler between your
feet points at the centre of the front wall.
B
A
NOTES:
• Though this is easier than the left hand
buttress attack, it requires more power.
• Don’t worry about hitting people on the top
step, it’s down to them to get out of the way!
• A variant – B – is useful against opponents
who push up a long way – just watch out for the
ledge!
LEFT HAND “BLUDGEON SHOT”
DESCRIPTION:
Power shot from back left, tight into front right
corner, to the back left again.
TECHNIQUE:
Right handers – big side to side swing with lots
of leaning towards target. No need to aim too
low, corners will drag the ball down.
Left handers – like cut.
NOTES:
• Transfers the pressure from yourself to your
back court opponent.
• Usually avoids interception on top step.
“MIS-HIT BLUDGEON”
DESCRIPTION:
Power shot from back left, side front and into
buttress.
TECHNIQUE:
Right handers – big side to side swing with
lots of leaning towards target. No need to
aim too low, corners will drag the ball down.
NOTES:
• Picks up an unusual spin that wrong foots
opponents.
• Can be tricky to intercept.
• If you win a point – say it was “just lucky”
FOUR WALL SHOT
DESCRIPTION:
Hit hard, directly over buttress to travel around
the court, and finish behind buttress.
TECHNIQUE:
Start with your back to front wall, big
backswing, keep the left arm straight when
hitting the shot, like a helicopter blade. Lots of
weight forwards.
NOTES:
• Play to a ball that comes over buttress off left
wall – hit it back where it came from.
• Creates confusion on court, gives you time to
regroup if necessary.
•To return this shot, intercept it as early as
possible.
LEFT HAND “BUTTRESS ATTACK”
DESCRIPTION:
Overarm left handed slap shot to base of
buttress.
TECHNIQUE:
Attacking slap shot – side on, right foot
forwards, left hand by left ear, slap down to
right knee.
NOTES:
• Excellent for keeping the pressure on the top
step opponent.
• You’ll have to get the ball over the buttress
and spin it down.
• A no-go for most right handers – the rewards
are rarely greater than the risks.
LEFT HAND “FLOAT” – The JPR
DESCRIPTION:
Underarm ‘floated’ into the buttress off the back
foot (defensive).
TECHNIQUE:
Use the pace of an attacking shot to back left,
‘float’ the ball over the buttress with a straight
arm swing to hit base of buttress.
NOTES:
• Excellent for keeping the pressure on the top
step opponent.
• Put a touch of side of ball on it to draw it into
left wall.
• Played well - one of the great shots…
RIGHT HAND “FLOAT”
DESCRIPTION:
Right handed shot played when being driven
onto the back foot at, or off the back of the
court.
TECHNIQUE:
Play with just enough power to make the ball
float onto the front wall and drop, making it
unvolleyable.
NOTES:
• Use this when on the back foot, so can not
attempt any shot that requires forwards weight
transfer (i.e. all the other shots in this book ).
“SPIN ATTACK”
DESCRIPTION:
Low-ish ball, played with back spin to base of
buttress.
TECHNIQUE:
Ball must be at least knee height when struck.
Left foot must be forwards. Right hand starts at
right ear, chop down to left ankle. Spin comes
from turn of the wrist.
NOTES:
• Aim for the hole, or your top step opponent.
• The more spin the better!
• Don’t axe it man…!
SIDEWINDER
DESCRIPTION:
Wrap the right hand around the ball to make it
spin off the front wall into the buttress to wrong
foot opponent.
TECHNIQUE:
Sideways on to the ball. Big swing from hip to
hip. Wrap hand around outside of ball to obtain
sidespin.
NOTES:
• A difficult shot? Probably easier than it looks.
But needs to really spin to be useful.
• A good shot against a bad player – can
leave your opponent scratching his head or
volleying into the hole with you out of position.
• One to try early on.
DUNBAR “DIG” SHOT
DESCRIPTION:
Turn defence into attack. Play a low ball with
side and back spin into left of front wall.
TECHNIQUE:
Get side on and step forward to a ball around
knee height or below. Use pace of the ball as
you reach forward and down the back and
side of the ball.
NOTES:
• Opens up a range of possibilities most of
which are positive.
• Very effective but not one for the purists
Check List
Tick off each shot on the below list once you have practised and perfected it
Cut Return
 “Right Corner Attack”

“Slap Attack”
 “Left Corner Attack”

Back Left “Slap Attack”
 The “Granny”

“Cut Attack” (Dossi Special)
 Side Wall Drive – “Bricks”

Right Hand “Sharp Shooting”
 “Corner to Corner”

Back Left Slam Volley
“Bricks!!”
 Left Hand “Bludgeon Shot”

“Corner Volley”
 “Mis-Hit Bludgeon”

“Three Wall Volley”
 Four Wall Shot

Left Handed “Sharp Shooting”
 Left Hand “Buttress Attack”

Back Right “Volley Attack”
 Left Hand “Float” – The JPR

Left Hand “Block Volley”
 Right Hand “Float”

The “Pressure Cooker”
 “Spin Attack”

Mid-Court “Slap Volley”
 Sidewinder

“Get Out of Jail”
 Dunbar “Dig” Shot
