Misunderstanding: The volley is not a stroke at all
If you want to include the volley as an additional option in your stroke repertoire, you may already be making a crucial mistake in your head. In contrast to the groundstrokes, the volley is only executed with a very small or no outstretching movement.
What is completely wrong with the forehand and backhand from the baseline becomes a necessity with the volley in order to hit the tennis ball in front of the body and be able to control it well: You push the tennis ball back over the net instead of hitting it. If you hit it, you are usually far too late. If you play a lot of doubles or just like volleying and you see your “tennis future” at the net, it is better to choose a racquet that is not too heavy and whose hitting surface is not too small. This will support you on your way to becoming a fast-reacting volley king.
Not just practicing with your stomach on the net
A common beginner's mistake: volleys are only played in one position directly behind the net during training and warm-up. practiced. Yes, that's right - if you start the rally there in doubles, that's actually the position in which you play the volley. In most other cases, i.e. after you advance to the net behind a preparation shot or serve, you play at least the first volley much further back, somewhere around the T-line. From there you cannot somehow cheat the tennis ball over the net, the volley must be executed technically clean and often from a height below the edge of the net. If you practice this regularly, you will acquire the necessary skills for all volley situations.
Stay focused
But beware: as with the volley, your own concentration is often your biggest enemy when hitting offensive shots from half court. A supposedly easy shot becomes a mistake trap. This is because the geometry of the court also changes if you don't play behind the baseline, but instead perform a preparatory shot closer to the net. For this reason, this shot in particular needs to be practiced and you need to pay extra attention to correct footwork and clean technique. This means that the tennis ball will neither land in the root of the net at 180 kilometers per hour nor on the fence with a high arc.
Don't forget the overhead ball
In addition to the passing ball, your opponent has another option to defend himself against your attack. The lob is a popular defensive weapon, especially if you have shown weaknesses in your smash during the match.
In terms of technique, the smash is a relative of the serve, with small but subtle differences. When preparing to hit, you cannot throw the tennis ball into the right position yourself. You have to get into the right position, usually by running back, and prepare for the actual shot. A lot of coordination work in a short time. Of course, this has to be practiced.
You also need to develop a feeling for how much you can do with lobs of varying quality. If you are struggling to get to the ball or your position on the court is very far back, it makes more sense to take some speed out of the shot and get your opponent into trouble by placing the ball well.
Author: Christian Schwell
