Volley Action Plan - Key Principles

Simplicity: The volley is, fundamentally, the easiest shot in tennis but often times the most ​ missed. Many recreational players do far too much with their racquet head during the volley. The more you move your racquet head during the volley (i.e. swing, slice downwards towards ball) the more difficult it is for the ball and center of the racquet to connect.

Contact: Hitting the ball in the center of the strings is by far the most important element when ​ hitting volleys. No matter how good your technique is, or where your racquet face is pointed at contact, hitting the ball of center of your strings can KILL the momentum of your shot. Be aware of where the ball is making contact with the racquet face. Avoid mishitting the ball by keeping your focused vision on the incoming ball.

Racquet Face: By in large the angle of the racquet face dictates where the ball is going to go. ​ Both depth and width can determined by the racquet face at contact. Without the awareness of where your racquet face is pointed your volleys will be unpredictable and unrepeatable. Once you’re aware of this key element volleying to specific spots of the court will be much easier and you’ll enjoy your time at the net much more!

Grip Pressure: The amount of energy that the ball receives from the racquet largely ​ determines how far the ball with travel off of the string and back to the other side. The firmer you hold the grip the farther the ball with bounce. The more relaxed you are, the more the racquet will absorb the incoming speed of the ball and land shorter. Controlling depth will allow you to access all parts of the court.

Combining, and experimenting with, all of these elements will give you the opportunity to achieve many different “flavors” or volleys. Some of these drills may feel overly simplified, but that is on purpose.

Time and Drill Directions and Focus

5 Min - These should be hit just beyond arm’s length from the net. Your Close Volleys objective here is to set the racquet behind the ball let it bounce off of the strings. Your target should be a cone (same distance from the net as you are) or on a fly to the person you’re receiving the feed from. As you hit these volleys you will focus on these different elements: 1) Simplicity: Doing as little as possible with your hand, arm, and racquet head. Make your technique as simple as humanly possible. No hitting or “punching”. 2) Racquet Face: Open the strings so that the racquet face hits the ball flushly underneath. No intentional slice movement is necessary. 3) Grip Pressure: Being close to the net, and partner, keep your hand relaxed and loose. 4) Contact: Track every ball into your racquet and focus on hitting the ball cleanly, in the middle of your strings.

5 min - Mid Service These should be hit from the middle of the service box. Your Box Volleys objective here is to set the racquet behind the ball let it bounce off of the strings. Your target should be a cone (same distance from the net as you are) or on a fly to the person you’re receiving the feed from. As you hit these volleys you will focus on these different elements: 1) Simplicity: Doing as little as possible with your hand, arm, and racquet head. Since you’re further from your target you may give the arm a guide forward. 2) Racquet Face: Since you’re a bit further opening the strings will help give you a bit more distance. 3) Grip Pressure: Having to give the ball a bit more may require firming up your grip. Experiment with the different pressures until you get the right depth. 4) Contact: Track every ball into your racquet and focus on hitting the ball cleanly, in the middle of your strings.

5 min - Service Line These should be hit from the Service Line. Your target should be a Volleys cone (same distance from the net as you are) or on a fly to the person you’re receiving the feed from. You may have to put a bit more “guide” on the ball.

Keep in mind the key elements from the above progressions.

5 min - Mid Service Using the same key principles above you’ll now place your target in Box Volleys: To the middle of no mans land. Have the ball machine, or your partner, deeper target. feed you shots (medium pace). Your objective is to find the right combination of racquet face angle and grip pressure to achieve a ball that lands near your target.

Goal: 10 in a row that land between the serve line and the baseline.

10 min - Volley to Starting from midway between service line and net engage in a rally Groundstroke rally. where the goal is to land the ball between the service line and baseline. One you’ve completed the goal of 10 shots in a row you and move back to the service line attempting the same goal as before.

Keep in mind that in different parts of the court and receiving different types of shot you’ll have to adjust your racquet face and grip pressure. There is no black and white formula which is right to adjust. There is a lot of feel that goes into volleys. Gaining this experience and learning from your misses is important to becoming a solid net player.

Student Notes: