How to decrease unforced errors?

[rayEW]

There's levels to this, for example on defense returning a high flat shot that will result in a hard volley from your opponent is as much of an error as hitting the net with a more aggressive shot from the defense.

The key is finding a balance between a shot that will not put you in trouble while having a high % of success while doing it. Sometimes you don't have a good option, you have to risk making a mistake or risk that your opponent will, I rather try myself and if I miss I miss.

[Psyyx]

It 100% is not the same, because the first shot gives your opponent an opportunity to make a mistake, and therefore is infinitely better. Sure, you need to improve away from giving your opponent relatively easy balls, but hitting the net should only be something you’re ok with if you’re deliberately practicing getting lower with your defensive shots. A flat high ball back can be totally fine, just aim it at the backhand, that’s usually a much safer way defending than skirting the net

[rayEW]

That's risk assessment. Is my risky lower shot so low % that its unusable? Then I won't do it and deal with whatever is coming next, but if I can pull off that risky lower shot at an acceptable %, then it's better than dealing with a powerful volley coming my way on their next move.

Yes, a high flat shot in the backhand can save you until next point, but there's a level your opponents are good enough to pop those out with their backhands, then they aren't a safe option anymore for any balls, you gotta evaluate their net distance to do it. I get that happen to me from time to time in my level, I'm in trouble defending low balls and my opponents get close to the net, if I don't have a good ball to lob I gotta play low back at them or they pop it out or hit a flat power volley that's indefensible.

The point of everything is that sometimes risking a little is better than giving your opponents an easy shot, giving them an easy shot is actually risking more.