Dear Eric - Head Hunting Hijinks

Steve writes: “I was playing a younger, slightly lesser‑skilled opponent who kept hammering hard shots with poor control, several came close to me and my partner’s heads. We said ‘not cool,’ it happened again, and on my next chance I lined up a hard hit at his head as a warning. It got his attention. Was I wrong?”

Short answer: Yes,  I get why you did it, but intentionally aiming at someone’s head is a line you don’t want to cross.

I get why it feels tempting, when reckless pace repeatedly threatens safety, anger and instinct kick in. A forceful, pointed response can feel like the fastest way to stop dangerous play. And yes, it often gets attention.

Purposely targeting a person (even “just” as a warning) escalates risk, can cause real injury, and flips you into the same behavior you’re trying to discourage. It also undermines your sportsmanship and can get you removed from courts or face formal complaints.

Better options that actually fix things

• Call it and stop: pause play and say clearly, “Please watch where you are aiming, that was dangerous.” Make it firm and public so others hear.

• Get backup: ask your partner, the court captain, or a club rep to step in. Formal etiquette reminders carry weight.

• Use placement instead: attack their weaker side or hit deep and low to punish reckless power without aiming at their head.

• Walk away if needed: rotate courts or leave, protecting your safety is priority.

• Report repeated unsafe play to facility staff or league organizers.

  You protected yourselves instinctively. Next time, use the safer, higher‑ground responses above. You’ll stop the behavior without risking injury, complaints, or becoming the problem yourself. Play hard, play smart, and don’t make the court a dangerous place to be.