Top Culprit Behind Poor Volleys—and How to Fix It

/in , ,

Volleys are an essential part of tennis, but they can be intimidating, especially when you’re positioned close to the net, with the possibility of getting hit by a fast-moving ball. Understanding the causes of poor volleys and how to address them can help you build confidence and improve your net game.

The Primary Culprits? Fear and Poor Head Positioning

One of the most common reasons for poor volleys is a natural fear of being hit by a fast ball, particularly in the head. This fear can trigger a knee-jerk response where players turn their head away from the incoming ball, which leads to disastrous results. Here’s why this happens:

  • Fear of Getting Hit: When players are close to the net, they often instinctively turn their heads away from the ball to avoid being hit, particularly in the face. This leads to poor shot execution because the eyes are no longer tracking the ball, and the body’s positioning becomes misaligned.
  • Lack of Focus: Turning your head also causes a loss of focus on the ball, making it harder to gauge its trajectory and speed. Volleys require precision, and without focus, it’s difficult to make clean contact.
  • Disrupted Rhythm: Moving the head can disrupt the player’s rhythm, throwing off timing and balance. This makes it harder to react quickly to subsequent shots.

Why Does This Happen?

The fear of being hit is an instinctive reaction, but there are a few key factors that contribute to poor volleys:

  1. Turning the Head: Turning your head to avoid the ball causes a loss of visual contact with it. As a result, players miss their timing and struggle to react properly to the ball.
  2. Poor Racket Position: In addition to head movement, incorrect racket positioning can throw off your balance and shot execution. If you’re not keeping the racket in the right spot, it can result in weak or missed volleys.
  3. Inconsistent Footwork: Poor footwork or hesitation in movement can cause you to be off-balance, further complicating the volley. Proper footwork is critical for getting into the right position and executing a clean shot.
  4. Nervousness or Anxiety: The close proximity to the net and fast-paced nature of volleys can make some players nervous. This anxiety can manifest as rushed or tense movements, which interfere with technique and timing.

How to Fix It?

To improve your volleys, the first step is overcoming the fear of being hit and refining your head and body positioning. Here’s how to fix it:

  1. Keep Your Eyes on the Ball:
    • Don’t Turn Your Head: Instead of turning your head away from the ball, rotate your shoulders to face it. Keeping the ball in front of you will help you maintain visual contact and make a clean strike.
    • Track the Ball: As the ball moves toward you, shift your focus from parallel vision to triangular vision. This means keeping your eyes on the ball as it moves closer and adjusting your body to keep the ball in your field of vision.
  2. Position Your Racket Correctly:
    • Racket in Front: Ensure that your racket is always positioned in front of you, comfortably across your body, not straight in front or too low. This makes it easier to react quickly and meet the ball cleanly.
    • Use the “Ready Position”: Before making the volley, make sure your racket is in the proper ready position. Keep it high and in line with your body, with your hands and racket facing forward for quick reactions.
  3. Develop Smooth and Quick Footwork:
    • Small, Quick Steps: Good footwork is essential for getting into the proper position. Take small, quick steps to adjust to the ball and maintain balance. Ensure you are set before making the shot.
    • Stay Light on Your Feet: The closer you are to the net, the faster the ball will come at you. Being light on your feet allows you to move quickly and adjust your position as needed.
  4. Stay Relaxed and Confident:
    • Overcome Nervousness: Volleys often trigger nervousness because of the proximity to the net and the speed of the ball. Stay calm and focused. Trust in your training and rely on your preparation to make the shot.
    • Avoid Rushing: Don’t rush the shot. Let your footwork guide you into the right position, and take your time to execute the shot. Remember, volleys are about precision, not power.
  5. Practice with Purpose:
    • Volley Drills: Practice volleys by focusing on technique rather than speed. Use wall drills, target drills, or partner drills to practice keeping the ball in front of you and executing clean volleys.
    • Use Shadowing: Shadow volleying without the ball can help you focus on shoulder rotation and racket positioning. This helps your body learn the movements without the pressure of the ball.

Build Confidence to Overcome the Fear

Fear of being hit is a natural response, but it’s essential to overcome it to improve your volleys. By keeping your head still, positioning your racket correctly, and focusing on your footwork, you’ll be able to execute more consistent and controlled volleys. Practicing these skills will help you develop the muscle memory needed to handle fast balls at the net with confidence.

By mastering these basics—tracking the ball, proper racket positioning, quick footwork, and relaxation—you’ll overcome your fear and significantly improve your volley game. Soon enough, you’ll find yourself dominating at the net, making those crucial points and feeling more comfortable in the process. Let your volleys become a strength, not a weakness!

Best Volley Targets in Doubles for Winning Points

/in , , ,

Using High-Percentage Spots to Win More Points.

In doubles, where you place your volleys can make all the difference in controlling the point and ultimately winning it.
Here are the four primary targets for volleys, each with its own high-percentage play to maximize your effectiveness at the net:

1. The Center Window (or “T” Area)

 – Why it Works: Aiming for the center window—the space between the two opposing players near the service line—is one of the highest-percentage targets in doubles. Hitting to the center reduces the angles opponents have to work with, forcing them to hit up rather than out wide.
   – When to Use: This is ideal when you’re in a stable volleying position and looking to keep the opponents on the defensive, particularly when they’re out of position.

2. Deep Cross-Court to the Baseline

   – Why it Works: A deep volley cross-court, aiming toward the baseline, forces the opponent farthest away from the net to retrieve the ball, making it harder for them to counterattack. This target also gives you and your partner more time to adjust your position and reset at the net.
   – When to Use: Use this volley target when you need to reset the rally or push the baseline player backward, taking away their time and reducing their ability to hit an aggressive shot.

3. Down the Line Near the Sideline

   – Why it Works: Going down the line can catch the net player by surprise, especially if they’re leaning towards the center to poach or cover a cross-court return. This target opens up space, as it forces one opponent to shift wide, often leaving gaps in their team’s coverage.
   – When to Use: This is effective if you notice the net player poaching or when you want to create movement and disrupt your opponents’ positioning.

4. Short, Angled Volley in the Service Box

   – Why it Works: A sharp-angled volley into the service box can exploit open spaces and make it difficult for opponents to retrieve the ball, especially if they’re positioned deep in the court. This shot takes time away from the opponent and requires them to cover a lot of ground quickly.
   – When to Use: This is best used when you’re close to the net and can control the angle effectively, or when you notice your opponents standing deep. It’s also effective as a finishing shot when you want to end the point outright.

How to Choose Your Target

Choosing the right volley target depends on several factors: your positioning, your opponent’s positioning, and the pace of the ball. By being aware of these four primary targets and selecting the right one based on the situation, you increase the likelihood of winning the point. Practicing these placements on the court will help you develop the precision and control needed to apply them in a match.

Mastering the Net: The Four Approaches to Coming Forward to Volley

/in , ,

In competitive tennis, approaching the net and finishing points with volleys is a highly effective strategy, especially when executed with precision and awareness.

The Four Primary Ways to approach the net involve different techniques and situations depending on the type of ball you receive and your opponent’s court position. Here’s how you can use each of these approaches in your game to maximize your chances of success at the net:

1. Approach Off a Short Ball

This is perhaps the most common way to move forward, especially against a defensive or consistent baseline opponent. A short ball invites you to step inside the court, ideally into the mid-court area (beyond the ghost line). The key here is to hit an aggressive shot (either a drive or slice) that is deep enough to push your opponent back or to the sides. Your goal is to limit their options and set yourself up for an easier volley.

Key points:
– Move forward quickly after recognizing the short ball.
– Hit a deep, attacking approach shot, targeting your opponent’s weaker side or creating an angle. Deep slice preferred to keep the ball out of the “Western” hitting zone.
– Transition seamlessly into a balanced volley-ready position around the St Andrews court position.
– Expect either a pass or lob, depending on the depth of your shot.

2. Serve and Volley

This is a classic aggressive play that can be used on faster surfaces or if your serve puts your opponent under pressure. After serving, you charge the net, aiming to finish the point with a quick volley. This approach works especially well against opponents who struggle with handling fast serves or return serves weakly. Very effective if you are a leftie serving to add court.

Key points:
– Serve with variety: mix between flat, slice, or kick serves depending on the surface and opponent.
– Immediately move forward after the serve, maintaining good posture and speed.
– Make a cross-over step just before your opponent returns to be ready for the volley to stay on balance.
– Aim for a deep first volley that keeps the opponent on defense, then close in for the finishing volley.

3. Chip and Charge

A chip-and-charge approach works especially well against aggressive baseline players. Instead of driving the ball hard, you hit a slice or low, skidding shot and move forward quickly behind it. The backspin and lower bounce of the slice make it difficult for the opponent to generate power, giving you time to position yourself at the net.

Key points:
– Hit a low, penetrating slice that forces the opponent to hit up, giving you easier volleys.
– Move in rapidly and prepare for a low volley.
– This works particularly well against players with long swings who struggle with low balls or don’t have a reliable passing shot.

4. Lob Retrieval Approach

When you are defending and are pushed back by a lob or deep shot, you can still turn defense into offense by approaching the net. After retrieving the lob or defending a deep ball, hit a high, aggressive deep shot or a deep slice, and then charge forward.

Key points:
– Use this approach when your opponent has been pulled wide or out of position, or if they are weaker at passing shots.
– Hitting a high ball with topspin or a deep slice forces your opponent to deal with awkward bounces or high balls.
– Move forward immediately to the net after your shot, covering the most likely angles for a passing shot or lob.

Final Tips

– Footwork and balance are critical in all these approaches (just like in ground strokes), especially when you have to close the net quickly after an aggressive shot. Transition steps and cross-over steps will keep you agile and balanced.

– Anticipation is key. You should always be aware of your opponent’s likely responses based on their position and shot-making abilities. Knowing whether to expect a lob, pass, or weak reply will help you position yourself better for the volley.

Mastering these four approaches allows you to transition from defense to offense smoothly, apply constant pressure, and dominate points at the net. A great balance between anticipation, footwork, and the right shot selection will give you the edge you need.