Shot quality should be based on results

Many power users now agree that PBV shot quality puts too much value on power, to the ultimate detriment of their games. Shot quality should be judged by results, not speed.

PBV has resisted results-based shot quality on the argument that you can appear to be improving (getting better results) simply by playing against weaker players. Objective criteria normalize the competition.

While true in theory, the reality is every shot is context-dependent. The hardest slam or serve is not always the best. A mishit volley is indistinguishable from a drop volley. The difference is that the latter is a winner.

PBV matches are self-leveling. There’s no reason to upload your 11-1 match. You won’t learn anything from it. A better approach would be only to process matches 11-6 or closer.

Once you know the match is competitive, then judging shot quality by results becomes a much better metric. Did my serve result in weaker-than-average returns for my opponent? Did my 3rd let us move up? Am I winning firefights? Did my setup lead to my partner’s putaway?

These are much more salient questions than “did my drive speed reach the PBV 80th percentile?” In our experience, that doesn’t correlate to more Ws.