BBill, urgent volley help needed.

[James Brown]

Ok so (this is backstory,skip if you want), as has been documented on this board in the past ive been trying out/making the tennis team. well after 3 try outs were still at 11 people, the coach needs to cut 1 more, last cut should occur friday. we do crazy amounts of sprints,suicides and kangaroo jumps with no breaks and my lack of fitness showed. however i hit better (serve,groundstrokes) than the majority of the people there (theres definetly 4-5 guys who are just a lot better than me :>)

so the coach is really checking our volleys since the singles spots are pretty much decided. So heres my question, when we were volleying the asst coaches were saying i was swinging too much and that i was hitting the ball from awkward positions, which is true, partly my fault, partly the partners for not being able to aim a volley anywhere other than my groin or my head..) so i need to know the steps i can take in the days before friday (time of final cut) to improve my volleying skills ten fold :> I need to look like im competent up there. what kind of wisdom can you shine on me? please let me know, thanks!

[Bungalo Bill]

I would suggest getting a live partner or practice against a backboard for at least a half hour a day. A ball machine is ok, but the ball is too predictable. You can still learn on a ball machine if you just want to practice form. I am not saying the ballmachine is bad, I just dont think it is as good as a live person or a backboard.

You want to practice turning your shoulders so it causes the front plane of your body to face the 45 degree angle for both backhand and forehand and step into the angle so the body plane is moving into the angle, this is very important. This is also your backswing.

When you raise your hand/racquet into position, you want to make a "U" from your shoulder to your racquet head.

The next thing is to make sure your step to the ball is going forward or at least holds its ground. In other words, dont back up even if it is coming hard at you. Backing up does several things:

1. It alters your racquet face to be slightly off

2. It takes the "punch" out of the ball because the impact is being absorbed

3. Your eyes have a harder time judging the imcoming ball while you are going backward or in the same way.

You might not be ready for this but stepping into the ball with the foot closest to the ball is important. Sometimes this takes some practice unless you think you can get it right away. You can practice this against a wall. Make sure you stand about 6 feet back and keep the ball in play against the wall - do not let it bounce. This will help you move the racquet around and strengthen your forearm and develop good hand eye coodination.

The followthrough for the backhand volley resembles the motion of what a baseball umpire would make when calling somene safe except the hands pretty much stay withing the width of the shoulders. So if you practice this you should feel your chest muscles involved.

The forehand volley followthrough is the opposite of the backhand volley except the hands come in with the racquet hand doing most of the work.

I think with the little time you have practicing:

1. Making a U for preparation - this helps eliminate a backswing by keeping the racquet in front of the shoulders. The backhand volley can have a little more backswing because of the nature of it but not much.

2. Turning your shoulders to the 45 degree angle and stepping towards it

3. Making the safe sign backhands or opposite safe sign for forehands

So turn the shoulders (45 degree), make a U with the arms, step towards the incoming ball (foot closest to the ball), make the umpires sign for the followthrough. Start out with a continental grip at first. Dont wrist it or put any muscle into it, just block the ball back into the court!

[kevhen]

That is too bad your partners can't give you the perfect ball to volley. Shame on them! Keep working on that volley and good luck in making the team. If not, at least you know what you need to work on (fitness and volley).

[paulfreda]

Backboard is the answer.
It is a partner that never tires.
If you are serious about wanting to volley well,
you will put in the time necessary.

Start out easy from say 6 feet just seeing how
many times you can keep it going.
FH then BH, then alternating FH and BH.
Then start hitting harder to test your reflexes.
Move back to 10 feet and repeat.
Also from 15 feet gives some perspective on hitting
swing volleys.

Dont get hung up TOO much on ANY rule like
keep the racquet head above your hand or
finish this way or that way.

Try different motions, wrist positions, grips, etc
to see what works for you.

Roscoe Tanner's father taught him to "find out for
yourself what works" and trust your self to stay with it.
His serve sure was one of the best the game has ever
seen.

Good Luck and if you don't make the team this year,
remember this is a game for a lifetime.