It's really not as cool if Zack doesn't make it fly, but that's not going to stop Tidus going for the ball, the attempts to eat at his stamina for the time fairly appreciated, all the things considered: the guy loves to move, and he wasn't getting this with some basic back and forth.

He goes for the ball with his entire body, ready to catch it with arms and his chest when it comes down, flipping off his back and be straightening in the water. Deliberates their close proximity now, how to approach: gives its a bounce into the air and—

it hits the water before his hand readying can do anything.

Oops. Look, blitzballs aren't this heavy, alright. How ever Zack may want to acknowledge that, the second time will go off better, with the ball aimed in the same off-course Zack had provided Tidus with, a hefty speed to it again.