Strategy involves gaining the offensive in order to control the action and secure the point. There are several common elements in this process:

Neutralize your opponent’s frontcourt man by keeping the ball away from him. Frontcourt players are in a position to attack with a variety of shots that can be made with greater accuracy, velocity and spin because they are thrown from a position closer to the front wall. Forcing the opposition team to return shots from the backcourt -- the deeper the better -- limits this advantage and lessens the possibility that they can make a dangerous return.

Keeping the ball close to the sidewall makes it more difficult to catch and restricts a player’s movement and ability to return the ball. Cestas are always worn on the right hand. This means that a player must reach across his body to catch and return a ball close to the sidewall. Without the freedom of movement which is available in the open court it is more difficult to catch and to effect a strong return.

Knowing the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses helps a player avoid unnecessary risks and allows him to take advantage of shots which the opponent may have difficulty catching. If one of the players on a team is noticeably better than the other, put pressure on the weaker player in order to dimisish that team’s strength.

The selection of the jai alai balls is another area of strategy. Before each point the server is offered the choice of balls. The liveliness of the bounce off the floor determines whether a ball is considered a “fast” ball or a “slow” ball. In addition, a ball which is in use is “hot” and bounces more than a cool new ball which may slip more when hitting the front wall or the floor. The server considers the strength of his opposition when making the choice.