Definition: A sixth ball attack is the term used to describe the situation where the receiver hits a less powerful attack on his first stroke after the serve return (the fourth stroke of the rally), and then hits a very powerful attack on his next stroke (the sixth stroke of the rally).
Some sixth ball attacks are planned from the beginning of the serve return, with a specific fourth ball stroke used by the receiver to prepare for the sixth ball attack. Other sixth ball attacks happen when the receiver cannot make a planned fourth ball attack, and uses a less powerful stroke, (usually slower and with heavier topspin), hoping to set up a chance for a sixth ball attack instead.
See also: third ball attack, fourth ball attack, fifth ball attack
Also Known As: sixth ball
