High Velocity Deflection

Following your note to keep training outside for the match, I headed down the sidewalk to the wide concrete stairs at Parc La Fontaine. Stepping onto the flat landing, I wedged two fallen twigs into the mortar seams to anchor my net posts. A dry maple seed came spinning sharply off the upper riser, picked up speed on the down-slope, and skipped off an uneven pebble. I held my stance, tracked the fluttering wobble without giving up an inch of depth, and popped the paddle of my stick down flat against the stone. The seed struck flush off the heel, deflected harmlessly into the grass, and died. Ready for whatever drops next.