"Respect the X" — Do People Really Know What it Means?

#1006: This is an often-used but greatly misunderstood saying about which player takes the ball, depending on the angle at which it crosses the net. Coach Deb Harrison thinks beginners and intermediates may have never heard the phrase, whereas more advanced players think they know what it means...but there's a good chance they don't! Coach Deb calls the middle of the court between the partners "Divorce Court" because players miss the ball but blame each other because they aren't clear whose ball it is.