The Volley (Part I)
Technical Training For the Volley
By Khan, M.
Tennis Program Director, Islamabad Club Coaching Center, Islamabad, Pakistan. Coach to national and internationally ranked juniors, professional and Davis Cup players
The magnificent display of an all-court game by Roger Federer has proved, beyond doubt, that the volley is still relevant. Modern players ought to be intelligent and competent enough to build the point well to earn the desired ball on which approach-volley combination could be based. In fact, Roger makes it look so easy that I decided to dedicate this article to this important topic.
Before I venture to talk about technique, I would like to reiterate that the volley is a catching skill. Thus, it is important that while working with beginners, they ought to be taught how to throw and catch the ball properly. You have to be at the right place at the right time to catch the ball! Once this basic skill is trained, you can then add the nutty gritty of technique.
The Grip: Research has shown that it is possible to hit forehand volley with an Eastern Forehand grip, and backhand volley with an Eastern Backhand grip, and in most coaching programs kids are taught that way primarily because small children are quite uncomfortable with the continental grip. However, to be effective at the net it is important that the players refine their grips toward an in-between continental grip (Fig. 1). An added advantage of the continental grip is that it is also the grip for serve and overhead smash. Some players also use it for 1-handed slice backhand approach shots.
The Forehand Volley
The ready position for the volley is tied directly to how well a player anticipates the possible return angle of his opponent’s shot and how timely is his landing off the split step. I would have the player keep eyes on the ball, racket in front, left hand on the throat of the racket for support, and weight forward on toes. (see Enqvist forehand volley Fig. 2). If your previous shot – serve or an approach shot – is hit with pace, depth, and placement, you will have more reaction time and your ready posture will be more intimidating!
The Backswing: When you are at the net you lack two things: time and distance to the opponent’s baseline. Thus, less is enough on volleys! Let your racket finds its natural backswing with the upper body turn. The racket should not pass beyond the line of your right shoulder. (see Jordan Kerr’s FH volley Fig. 3). However, for higher and easier volleys more (controllable) backswing can be used.
Point of Contact: It is important to watch and move to the ball so that it will not drop below the level of the net. As you make contact with the ball out in front you take an aggressive step with the left foot (see Enqvist FH volley Fig. 4). You need a firm grip-wrist at contact, and your hitting arm should have a slight flex and elbow closer to your rib cage.
Follow-through: If you just block the ball (the tip of the racket pointing to the side fence), the ball will either deflect away because of spin or will lack depth and penetration. It is important to punch it through pointing the tip of the racket toward the net (see Kerr’s FH volley Fig. 5).
The Backhand Volley
To me the backhand volley is a natural stroke because: The non-hitting hand is on the throat of the racket for support and aiding in upper body turn (see Agustin Calleri’s BH volley Fig. 6);
As opposed to forehand volley where non-hitting shoulder (left) is in front, for backhand volley the hitting shoulder is in front. Due to this the stroke is more natural and fluid because nothing is obstructing the swing.
Stefan Edberg and Martina Navratilova’s backhand volleys were better than their forehands most probably because of these reasons.
Grip and Ready Position: Similar to the forehand volley (see Fig. 1).
Backswing: With proper upper body turn the racket will find its ideal (minimal) backswing. A professional player like Olivier Rochus can afford to take an excessive backswing (Fig. 7), the rest of us should avoid exaggerated backswings.
Point of Contact: Proper footwork – stepping toward the ball with the right foot -- will assure contact in front of the right shoulder. The racket slides forward and downward at the same time imparting under-spin to the ball. The hitting arm and the racket makes around 90 degree angle at contact (see Morrison's BH volley Fig. 8).
Follow-through: Jordan Kerr (Fig. 9) is demonstrating great finish here. The open racket face indicates great slicing action; the right arm-racket has extended forward whereas left arm and leg driving backwards.
We would like to thank Mahboob for this article
and if you have any feedback please contact me at simon@procomparetennis.net.
Kind regards
