Practice Short BallsShort balls are one of the least practiced shots in tennis. Most players assume that a short ball would be easy to hit. It’s not! Don’t try to kill the short ball. Instead, focus on your approach shot.
Most Common Volley MistakeThe number one thing that messes up tennis players at the net is their mindset. You don’t have to win the point on the first volley. You’ll be more successful at the net if you focus on hitting two volleys instead of one. When you try to force a winner on the first volley, you […]
Approach to Volley MentalityA good approach shot prepares you for a volley to finish off the point. It can feel overwhelming as you strategize your approach shot to try and immediately transition into a volley. To break it down, think of it as finishing one shot in order to get to the next one. As you set up […]
The Backhand VolleyThe backhand volley is easier than you think. All you’re trying to do is move forward and meet the ball. Keep a continental grip, just like a forehand volley. The back of your hand should face your opponents side of the court, so all you have to do is move forward.
Mid-Court Volley MindsetOften times, people assume that every time they volley, they’re on the attack or in a winning position. That’s not the case for the mid-court volley. The mid-court volley is considered a transition volley because it’s the shot you hit after you serve while you’re on your way to the net. Think about the mid-court […]
Closing the NetThe strategy behind hitting the ball deep is to give you the advantage by forcing your opponent to hit a short ball. To prepare for the short ball, it’s important to know how far to close in on the net. If you anticipate your opponent will produce a short ball and close in too far, […]
Overheads at the NetThe biggest trick on the overhead is the footing. When you’re in position for a volley but you know an overhead is coming back over the net to you, your first instinct may be to retreat straight backwards. However, you’re more likely to lose your balance this way. Prepare for an overhead shot by moving […]
Volley GripWhen you hold a volley grip, you should start with a continental grip. Then spread your fingers, with your pointer finger about a fingers width apart from the others. This position allows your wrist to do the work for you. Don’t expect this to feel comfortable. If it does, you’re doing it wrong.
What Goes Forward Must Come BackIf you’re playing aggressively and have worked yourself all the way into the net, you have to move back to be able to attack and come in again, or prepare for the lob.
The Volley – Protect Against the SliceIf you’re at the net and the ball is coming with a ton of backspin, most likely, it’s going in the net. A good slice with backspin or a hard ball with topspin at the net is tough. In order to hit a good volley and protect against the spinning ball at the net, you […]
Slow Down and Relax to React FastAt the net, things happen twice as fast which means you have half the time to react. Don’t let this scare you. Remember to breath. Things are going to be alright. When you’re at the net, you have to slow down and relax in order to react fast.
Predict the Next BallReading your opponent and predicting the next ball is just as applicable for any position on the court as it is up at the net, with some variation of course. You have time to get set and be ready for the return, but your approach matters. Being set and ready doesn’t mean over-committing. You have […]
The Volley – Anticipate LateA strong volley will open up the face of your opponent’s racket and force them to be late. When you hit a strong volley, you have to be ready and anticipate late, following your shot so that if they get it back, you can put it away and finish the point.
The Magic of Television and Coming Under the BallOn television, it always looks like the player is coming under the ball and cutting or slicing their volleys. If you are trying to come under the ball to drop your volleys, you can blame television. The truth is all in the grip. When the ball connects with the racket, a loose grip will allow […]
The Proper Volley GripAre you changing your grip for forehand and backhand volleys? If so, you’re doing it wrong. The volley grip is unique because you don’t have time to keep switching your grip. Use this drill to practice a proper Volley Grip.
The Way You Learned to Volley is Wrong…Tennis has changed but the coaching has not. The way you learned to volley is probably wrong. What worked 30 years ago, doesn’t work anymore.
Practice Short BallsShort balls are one of the least practiced shots in tennis. Most players assume that a short ball would be easy to hit. It’s not! Don’t try to kill the short ball. Instead, focus on your approach shot.
Most Common Volley MistakeThe number one thing that messes up tennis players at the net is their mindset. You don’t have to win the point on the first volley. You’ll be more successful at the net if you focus on hitting two volleys instead of one. When you try to force a winner on the first volley, you […]
Approach to Volley MentalityA good approach shot prepares you for a volley to finish off the point. It can feel overwhelming as you strategize your approach shot to try and immediately transition into a volley. To break it down, think of it as finishing one shot in order to get to the next one. As you set up […]
The Backhand VolleyThe backhand volley is easier than you think. All you’re trying to do is move forward and meet the ball. Keep a continental grip, just like a forehand volley. The back of your hand should face your opponents side of the court, so all you have to do is move forward.
Mid-Court Volley MindsetOften times, people assume that every time they volley, they’re on the attack or in a winning position. That’s not the case for the mid-court volley. The mid-court volley is considered a transition volley because it’s the shot you hit after you serve while you’re on your way to the net. Think about the mid-court […]
Closing the NetThe strategy behind hitting the ball deep is to give you the advantage by forcing your opponent to hit a short ball. To prepare for the short ball, it’s important to know how far to close in on the net. If you anticipate your opponent will produce a short ball and close in too far, […]
Overheads at the NetThe biggest trick on the overhead is the footing. When you’re in position for a volley but you know an overhead is coming back over the net to you, your first instinct may be to retreat straight backwards. However, you’re more likely to lose your balance this way. Prepare for an overhead shot by moving […]
Volley GripWhen you hold a volley grip, you should start with a continental grip. Then spread your fingers, with your pointer finger about a fingers width apart from the others. This position allows your wrist to do the work for you. Don’t expect this to feel comfortable. If it does, you’re doing it wrong.
What Goes Forward Must Come BackIf you’re playing aggressively and have worked yourself all the way into the net, you have to move back to be able to attack and come in again, or prepare for the lob.
The Volley – Protect Against the SliceIf you’re at the net and the ball is coming with a ton of backspin, most likely, it’s going in the net. A good slice with backspin or a hard ball with topspin at the net is tough. In order to hit a good volley and protect against the spinning ball at the net, you […]
Slow Down and Relax to React FastAt the net, things happen twice as fast which means you have half the time to react. Don’t let this scare you. Remember to breath. Things are going to be alright. When you’re at the net, you have to slow down and relax in order to react fast.
Predict the Next BallReading your opponent and predicting the next ball is just as applicable for any position on the court as it is up at the net, with some variation of course. You have time to get set and be ready for the return, but your approach matters. Being set and ready doesn’t mean over-committing. You have […]
The Volley – Anticipate LateA strong volley will open up the face of your opponent’s racket and force them to be late. When you hit a strong volley, you have to be ready and anticipate late, following your shot so that if they get it back, you can put it away and finish the point.
The Magic of Television and Coming Under the BallOn television, it always looks like the player is coming under the ball and cutting or slicing their volleys. If you are trying to come under the ball to drop your volleys, you can blame television. The truth is all in the grip. When the ball connects with the racket, a loose grip will allow […]
The Proper Volley GripAre you changing your grip for forehand and backhand volleys? If so, you’re doing it wrong. The volley grip is unique because you don’t have time to keep switching your grip. Use this drill to practice a proper Volley Grip.
The Way You Learned to Volley is Wrong…Tennis has changed but the coaching has not. The way you learned to volley is probably wrong. What worked 30 years ago, doesn’t work anymore.
Hit a Deep Volley… With POPBe ready for the volley, push your opponent deep, and put some pop on the ball.
Master the Drop ShotDrop shots are all about catching the ball to kill its momentum and moving forward.
Attack the Ball to Conquer Tough VolleysAttack the ball at the net, don’t wait for it come to you. For fast balls, get lower. For slow balls, move up more.