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 to generate enough force behind it and place it in the area of your choosing.
Have a great day and an even better game!
Brian
TennisMindCamp
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m going to try out some of the things you said…….. I really hope they work. Sounds like they will though. Thanks Coach!
Thank you Volley Doctor!
Great tip, COOL PIC!
Thank you sir!
Great tips! The volley really becomes easier the deeper and lower you hit your approach shot. All of a sudden you have more time and more angles to place the put away the followup.
Thanks for this info.
Could you possibly get more specific?
The grip to use?
Do you change grips (do you usually have time?)
What is your thought process when volleying the ball e.g. Punch;
Volley out not down ? Contact the ball on the strings and move forward etc?
Thanks for your help.
Jim
Hi Jim,
In most cases, you should use a continental grip when volleying….. As you mentioned, quite often you don’t have time to change grips although it can be done. Some players will use a power forehand grip (eastern grip). Usually you would use the continental grip for the serve and overhead as well although there are variations.
Try to get your eyes, ball and racket at the same level when volleying. This means you have to bend your knees a great deal. I like to tell my kids to “get your chin to the level of the top of the net” when preparing to volley. If you prepare to volley from that position, you can hit the low volley more consistently. If you have to hit a high volley, it is much easier to straighten your legs and get your eyes, ball and racket at the same level. Your legs are six times stronger than your arms so that isn’t a problem. If you are too upright as you prepare to volley and a low ball is hit to you, you have to hope gravity will get you down to the ball in time……it won’t.
With that said, there are two ways to bend your knees….by squatting straight down and by lunging. If you squat you do not move your body forward to volley as you must. Also, you remain just as far from the net and have to volley the ball up. If you bend your knees by lunging, you get closer to the net (more margin for error) and don’t hit up so much. You volley the ball sooner and reduce the time your opponent has to react to the ball as it travels a shorter distance.
Make sure to go Out with your racket when volleying and not Down. You have 38′ of court to volley the ball into and that is a lot of area. When you chop down you often hit the strings on the upper part of the racket and mishit the ball into the net or hit a soft volley that sets up your opponent. You get power from your body moving forward in the direction you are volleying. You don’t bring your racket back. Keep the racket within your peripheral vision not at the side of your head. Keep your strings facing in the direction of your target for as long as possible. If you move your racket (and strings) with your hand, shoulder, body you change the direction and do not hit the ball where you intended.
Hope this helps.
Good luck,
Jim