COMMON VOLLEY ABUSES

1. Selecting the wrong type of volley under the circumstances.
2. Swinging through the volley with excessive forward motion.
3. Hitting from high to low on all volleys. High to low is appropriate only for easy put-away volleys. For most volleys, a low to high emphasis is more effective, especially when impact occurs below waist level.
4. Not maintaining a firm wrist at impact. This usually results in hitting the volley with an excessive bent-wrist stroke.
5. Allowing impact to occur too close to your body.
6. Hitting a volley from an unbalanced position.
7. Volleying the ball to a place that is easy for you opponent to get to and take control of the point. If you can't find a corner, volley at his feet so you at least force your opponent to hit up on the ball.
8. Hitting a backhand volley with two hands. The volley is most effective as a one-handed shot for both forehand an backhand volleys.

VOLLEY TECHNIQUES (Listed in their order of importance)

1. Decide which type of volley you will hit.
2. Watch the ball all the way to the strings.
3. Hit the ball with an awareness of racket pitch at impact.
4. Maintain a firm wrist at impact.
5. Maintain good arm extension at impact.
6. React quickly; get your racket back and wait (early preparation).
7. Resist a complete follow-through after impact.
8. Volley from a motionless, balanced position whenever possible.

THE LOB VOLLEY

The lob volley is best suited for players attempting to develop good volley skills. All other volleys are simply modifications of the lob volley. The lob volley is hit while emphasizing easy pace and an open racket head face. This causes the ball to go up off your strings and "fall" into the backcourt area near one of the three backcourt target points.

VOLLEY DEVELOPMENT EXERCISES

1. Work exclusively on the lob volley until you become both comfortable and consistent with it. While standing near the net, practice this volley extensively against a groundstroking opponent in a non-competitive situation. Aim each volley at the center backcourt target point.
2. Notice that there are no special emphasis techniques for the volley. ALL techniques presented in this lesson are essential for a successful volley. Practice technique #1 first, then progress to #2, then #3, and so on until you have practiced all eight volley techniques individually. Then begin combining several volley techniques together in a conscientious practice effort.
3. As an advanced volley development exercise, learn to hit your volleys with a follow-through in the SAME direction as your backswing. That is, even after impact, the racket continues moving BACK. This technique helps develop good touch volleys and excellent drop volleys.

Back