TMC -Volley Warriors 101
Being able to play at the net is incredibly important. If you can’t, taking advantage of points that could be easy winners for you will be far and few between. When you can come to the net and execute efficiently and effectively, you allow yourself to become a multi-dimensional player and a great volley warrior.
Nothing is worse than being “stuck” with only one plan of attack. You’ll quickly become predictable, and predictability is the last attribute you want to be associated with.
In order to establish a proper volley strategy, the #1 thing you should be concerned with is the appropriate positioning. In most ideal situations, it should be at the “T” also known as the center-hash mark. From there, you’ll be able to conveniently move up to the net and defend most shots.
Now I do want to stress “most” shots. The reason I say that is because not every volley requires the same stance and recovery position. But setting up at the “T” will leave you in pretty good shape to cover most down the line and cross-court passing shots.
Jot down the tips below in your tennis notebook, and you’ll be on the road to becoming a volley warrior in no time!
Volley Tips:
1. The best way to play is to understand how to play the different volley variations appropriately.
2. Do not always wait for the ball to come to you. Move forward so you can unload on it, especially if it’s high enough and in your SSR (sweet spot range).
3. In case of a low volley, assess the point where it is likely to drop and return the ball before it bounces by using a firm grip along with a strong wrist .
4. In case of a chest level volley, use your opponent’s force to return the ball by simply blocking it with a firm wrist.
5. If a shot comes at you much quicker than expected, keep your racket going forward instead of sideways. This will give you a better opportunity togenerate enough force behind it and place it in the area of your choosing.
