I want your help…
I’m currently videotaping for my new lesson on the forehand and backhand volleys.
But before I finish the video shoot, I want to hear from you about what you’d love to see in this new lesson.
Here’s my general outline so far of what I’m planning to include.
Take a minute to review and then leave a Comment below this post and let me/us know what else you’d like to see in this lesson.
What’s your #1 challenge with your volleys? Is it a specific fundamental or is it a certain situation in either singles or doubles?
New Volleys Lesson Outline
The Volley Stroke Mechanics – The 7 Vital Fundamentals For The Forehand & Backhand Volley- 1. Ready Position (Grip – continental, relaxed, posture)- 2. React (racket prep position)
- 3. Footwork (alignment to path of the incoming ball)- 4. Swing Shape / Path- 5. Contact Point- 6. Finish Position- 7. Recovery (Balance posture, footwork)
- Visual Learning (Repeated stroke in slo-mo)- How To Practice Drills- Drill – Shadow Doubles- Visual contact w/ ball – when to be watching the ball
- Ideal Ball Spin – Underspin, skids, stays low, picks up speed through the bounce, forces opponent to hit up- Approach volleys (from behind the service line)- Drop volleys- High volleys- Low volleys- Directly at you volleys- Pulled wide volleys
- Strategies- Targets- Court position (where to be in singles & doubles)- Videos of Various Points – Brent- Singles- Doubles- Videos of Various Points – students (analysis video)
- BONUSES- ?- ?- ?- ?
OK, there’s the draft outline so far. What else do you want to have in this new 60+ minute downloadable & DVD lesson?
Also, let me know if you’d be willing to send me a short video of the #1 challenge with your volleys that I could do a video analysis voice-over lesson that would be included in this new lesson.
Would really appreciate if you’d leave your feedback in the Comments section below. Many thanks…
Brent
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Dear Brent:
So often I hit right back to the baseline player who just hit it to me. I want help in redirecting my shot, in other words, getting a better angle on the volley.
Thanks,
Mary
Hi Brent
I would like to learn how to execute a good dropshot volley. Most of the time I tend to hit my volleys hard and the ball ends up deep at the baseline for the opponent to do a lob or passing shot. Other a soft grip, what else is necessary to execute a drop volley that can ‘absorb’ the incoming impact and also create enough underspin on the ball?
Great idea of this highly anticipated video look forward to it!
Thanks, michael
What is the best way to practice volleying when your by yourself?
Brent,
I’ve been having a little trouble with my backhand volley using the continental grip. I tend to pop up the volley a little, and would like to hit more under spin to keep the ball low. What should the swing path look like in that situation.
Take a look at your volleys above or those of any a comished player and then try to convince me that
1) my backswing shouldn’t extend back behind my shoulder
2) I should step toward the volley with my contralateral foot.
3 the voey should be a short forward punch not a downward slash , etc, etc,etc
I consider myself to have pretty quick reflexes, but I find it difficult to step during every volley especially when it’s a heated battle back and forth right at the net. Is there a certain mindset that you have up at the net with your footwork, or do you just react with your reflexes w/o thinking too much.
PS Was Mai sleeping….you sounded like you were whispering in the video!! If so that was very thoughtful:)
Hi, Brent:
I can do approach volleys pretty consistently from the back-hand side (chip and charge), but not
very well from the forehand side. So this is one of my top challenges on volleys.
It would be great if you could cover swing volley as an offensive shot and occasional lob volleys as
defensive shots.
Cheers,
Ed
Hi Brent,
I have trouble with the volley on either backhand or forehand side at high points.
Most of the time my point of contact is nog right and de ball lands far beyond the baseline.
So the ball comes in , i’m in a forward movement and the ball is at head level or even a bit higher and than i have this problem.
Hope you can help me with this.
Greetings marc
Hi Brent,
I have the most trouble getting enough “pop” on the ball with my back hand volley,
they tend to not penetrate into my opponent’s court well or they end up being an
unintended “drop” shot.
thanks,
Alan
Is there any diffent technique between simple volley and poach volley?
Hi Brent,
Can you put in a few words about swing volleys? Do you think it’s possible to have a reliable on handed backhand swing volley?
Thanks,
Cosmin
Hi ,
My name is Serghei,and I would like to ask you about how important is the split step ,and when should a player start poaching in a double situation.
thanks a lot
I have problem putting spin on the ball instead of hitting the ball straight, which often times goes out of bounds.
Definitely what to do when the ball is walloped straight at you!
Also: where to put away the volley down the middle (best percentage shot) and when to try and intercept especially on return of serve.
Foot work to a good solid vollying position and then recovery back to the ready position. I seem to be getting the first ball play and then the 2nd and subsequent shots I feel like I’m losing time because of not recovering back to ready.
Hi, Brent. You have helped me so much with your practical instructional videos. I’m cross dominant(ambidextrous) and an aggressive player. However, my backhands are poor and so I have two strong forehands. How do you eact to a fast shot aimed right at your chest at the net; also how do you prepare yourself to poach a shot and where should I ideally place my volley? Thank you so much.
I usually mananage to get my racquet to a ball at the net when I am volleying, but I tend to block the ball back into play, leaving my opponents with the chance to pass me or to lob me. I find it almost impossbile to hit the ball hard into the ground to create the high bouncing unplayable ball. Please can you advise me.
Anticipation tips, strategies, and drills.
As far as technique, I am interested in having a more firm, crisp volley rather than just guiding my volleys back with little pace or even worse hitting a blooper volley. As far as situations, I want to become better at the first volley from the midcourt area. Thanks for your efforts. I’m sure this will be a good course.
Brent,
My comments are similar to David W. above.
I was taught the volley years ago. Taught to step hard with the lead foot…elbows in…wrists together…Do Not swing…just punch or tap straight ahead as if clearing a book shelf. To this day I can still hear the pros where I play yelling “Don’t Swing”
Your volley and those of the pros on TV are dramatically different in that in you actually swing under the ball to get spin.
So, would you:
1/ Explain the contadiction
2/ Talk about the ‘firm’ wrist suggestion. I get wristy at times and
3/ How to recognize when to poach.
Thanks for all.
Paul
3/
Lots of topspin coming at you today when you are volleying. How do you counter that topspin.
Also, how to tell when it is a high forehand volley and when it is an overhead. Ive tried many an overhead that I later decided should have been a forehand volley.
So other than looking at the ball (by far my biggest issue) i have a tendency to hit the ball more to the side rather than out front. Any ideas to get the contact point more out front. Also hard hit balls hit directly at me pose a problem as well.
Thanks
A couple of things:
1. Is it okay for high school age girls to use a two-handed backhand volley or should they use one hand?
2. Ready position when opponent hits the ball and footwork – closed or open stance.
Thanks
Brent,
I would appreciate if you can address these issues:
1. How/where to position myself in preparing approach volley….I play double’s mainly and am poracticing approaching.
2. Targeting/Placing the approach volley.
Thanks
brent–thanx for all the info you put out there–it has been very helpful–i \don’t have too much trouble getting to the split step or stop position, but at that point i have trouble geting sideways or stepping forward with the proper foot to hit the volley or crossing over rather than stretching–i think it is just a case of not remembering to do it in the heat of the moment–i started playing in my fifities, and don’t seem to have the muscle memory-i am in my sixties now–thanx –ely
I hit a nice approach, get a shoulder high floater that I just know should be crushed, move in quickly, and dunk it from in front of my body awkwardly into the net. I’m pretty sure it has to do with footwork and positioning.
Also, on a poach, I am in an aggressive position on the court, having closed to near the hold-down strap, but the ball hits me in the body or goes off my racquet some weird way.
What can I do to react on time and to volley a moderate fast ball?
Hi Brent
For me is very important to idetify what can can does grip if the best for
manague:
Drop volleys
- High volleys
- Low volleys
if I manner that I will improve a lot
Thanks
ER
Hi Brent;
Thanks for the opportunity to offer my input. I believe that what you have initially identified as topics for this project is very complete. I also believe that the comments and ideas my fellow tennis players have offered are right to the point as well. I’m 52 and I’ve only been playing for 3 months now so I have tons to learn. If anything I can share from my experience is that I have reacted very clumsy trying to hit a volley that has been thrown straight at my chest. I just don’t seem to move my torso to the side quick enough while pointing my racket to the ball.
Thanks for helping us learn and enjoy this sport.
Victor
Hi Brent
What I struggle with is the low back hand volley, where ball contact is made below the top of the net. How can I reliably keep the volley low. I usually end up popping it up in the air.
Thanks for all the great tips
Jim
Dear Brent,
I have to improve my high back hand volley since most of the time, my back hand volley will be down to the net or out of the court if my opponent play top spin lob and fast high ball to my back hand
in the mean time , I also wish to improve my volley precision. I want to play my volley right to the middle and to to the feet of opponents. what is the most effective drills for this improvement.
I also want to increase the speed of my reaction on volley , especially in double, when all go to the net to play volleys.
Looking forward to your upcoming lesson that can help me out of above issues.
Tks & Brgds/Felix
hola Brent te escribo desde CHILE, en mi pais se juega sobre cancha de arcilla (red clay) y subir a la red es dificil. Puedes ayudarme a lograr subir a la red de manera segura para ganar puntos..
Saludos y mucha suerte.
Hi Brent.
I have problems when the ball comes to me with strong pace. I sometimes can’t do a soft enough volley and the ball goes behind the baseline or anywhere but not in the court. If you could give a hint on that that would be good.
Igor, Russia
HiBrent , I find it difficult to handle high volleys both forehands and backhands. Thanks Jean. Mauritius.
Hi Brent
Can you include something about how to volley hard hit heavy dipping topspin shots? I often find myself being deceived by heavy topspin passing shots hit by my opponent and also find it hard to track the ball when it’s been hit with a lot of topspin. Many thanks. Wook
3 thoughts: help people deal with the low ball, help people deal with the floater, or softly hit ball (both above and below the net), and help people self analyze their volley errors (misses into net, misses long, et al).
Hey Brent:
I would like to know how to execute a better drop shot volley because often times i will hit back to my opponent who is deep behind the baseline.
Thanks
Noah
I would love some tips on getting confident in hitting a backhand volley with one hand and not two.
Hi Brent,
If possible, I would like to improve my forehand high volley, especially when at net.
I appreciate your kind information.
Thanks and have a great one !!!
One of my biggest problems is how to jump away from a volley to my backhand when the ball is going directly to my body.
- and of course the high backhand volley
My concerns on volleys have been concerns on both sides: high volley hammering, stepping, volleying while moving, locking the writst, what changes on super angle volleys, elbow location, volley targets, arm angles on volleys, parts of the ball to hit, can you get too far down on volleys, poaching volleys, short angled volleys, when to hit at shoulder level, how volleys change by court position, high to low volleys versus low to high volleys, shoulder turns on volleys, swinging out versus swinging down, shoulder turns, generating pace on floaters, how many different drop volleys are there, center of gravity on different volleys, swinging volleys, different ways of aiming, compensating for ball direction, volleys when stretched out, volleys against pushers, how to end a volley duel, racquet head motion versus racquet head alignment, cross court versus down the line volleys, racquet head speed on different volleys, volley follow throughs and when too much, how soft a volley grip on different shots, avoiding racquet head roll on forehand volleys, location of palm on volleys especially forehands, the forearm on forehand volleys, how to avoid dishing volleys, how to step away from volleys that come too close, how to use legs to improve volleys, avoiding volley mistakes and volley variables.
Should your body core weight be moving forward and/or at an angle when producing a good volley?
There is an expression “you volley with your feet.” Do you agree?
Best way to consistently produce a put-away volley with a lot of “pop”, angle and/or depth?
Many thanks,
Gary
A couple things I’m struggling with:
1) First volley or half-volley when coming in behind serve (especially in doubles); ball is oftentimes at my feet;
2) Volley when ball is hit right at me.
Thanks.
Yes, many things to be considered and to be included in that video. But I think all of the concerns that is needed are already covered by your short videos. So far one of the most important thing to note, the basic grips to be applied on different ball movements. All the steepings, the position were there already, but the grip must be reviewed, how firmed you squeezed the grip and more other ticniques to be considered. That’s all I say my mentor. Thanks Go on with your commitment to help people to learn a good and joyful sport of tennis. God bless and more power.
Roger.
Hi Brent,
I have a swinging two handed backhand volley (which is powerful and works extremely well) and eventually would like to learn a one handed backhand volley but right now here I am. Will you talk about this. And about how to make the transition.
Jenny
At waist level I volley the ball with a cocked wrist, which means that the racquet head is above the hand. When the ball is lower I drop my wrist unintentionally. Bending my knees would cure that but the game is too fast to always do that.
I need also help on racquet preparation when poaching in doubles.
Hi Brent,
I think I make two frequent mistakes with the volley, specially with the forehand volley, to hit too late and to move the wrist. What cuold I do to avoid these faults?
I like very much the outline of your new lesson and I think you can include in the bonuses some video of Sampras, Edberg or another volley specialist.
Hi Brent
Thanks for all the great tips. Like others who have responded I have trouble directing a winning volley, seems I keep putting the ball back in play – not putting it away. One real killer for me is the hard shot at the net player (me) that I think I am going to block back but instead watch it trickle off my racket and fall at my feet. how do I get that ball back over the net with a solid reply? And in a hot rally with a series of reflex returns, how do I keep my mind still for a moment so I do not end the exchange with a shot too wide or deep and concentrate on one more aggressive shot?
Keep this great site going, Rich
Hi Brent, oh so many problems – direction, balance between winning the point and being safe with my placing, but above everything else: I have this tendency to see the volley as a defensive shot. I kind of use the shot to protect myself rather than to attack the ball. I know the fundamentals, I have seen it played at all levels and sometime, only sometime I can do it too. But most of the time I think oh no, defense, rather than oh yes, go get it. Two examples: net situation in doubles, I get hit by a standard forehand and I volley back to the player. Same on interception, I just hit the ball to the player on the right height to be volleyed. Everything else would probably win the point, but I give out a second chance almost all the time. Second example, serve & volley: as soon as the ball is just an inch outside my comfort zone, I go sideways rather than try to cut it off diagonally. But that makes the distance my enemy and even if I get there I then need to swing to get any real power and it’s downhill from there. Here’s the funny thing: when I put down the racquet and try to catch the ball, I can do it. I am aggressive, I go into the ball, I cut it off and everything else. As soon as I hold a racquet I don’t do this reliably. So, I have it in me to catch the ball – how can I get myself to do it with the racquet?