The drop volley

[Rickson]

Most of my volleys are punches and lack a feathery touch, but yesterday, I did a volley I wish I could simulate more often, but I fear it's a 1 in 10,000 shot. I was forced to play defense on 2 balls by running them down when my opponent tried to drop shot me. I managed to get them both back, but I was drawn in and then he tried his dipper on me. I hit a backhand touch volley when the ball reached the halfway point below the net. The ball cleared the net by an inch and went an inch across the net. The opponent had no chance at the ball and even if he had been there, I seriously doubt he could have gotten the ball over after the bounce because it landed so close to the net. I'm wondering if my "accidental drop volley" could be intentionally done more often. I know I didn't slice the ball like my usual dropshots. Opinions on how to do this shot are welcome.

[BravoRed691]

Most of my volleys are punches and lack a feathery touch, but yesterday, I did a volley I wish I could simulate more often, but I fear it's a 1 in 10,000 shot. I was forced to play defense on 2 balls by running them down when my opponent tried to drop shot me. I managed to get them both back, but I was drawn in and then he tried his dipper on me. I hit a backhand touch volley when the ball reached the halfway point below the net. The ball cleared the net by an inch and went an inch across the net. The opponent had no chance at the ball and even if he had been there, I seriously doubt he could have gotten the ball over after the bounce because it landed so close to the net. I'm wondering if my "accidental drop volley" could be intentionally done more often. I know I didn't slice the ball like my usual dropshots. Opinions on how to do this shot are welcome.

I was taught to "double bounce" my volleys to help with touch. Let it bounce once, "catch," then hit it over. Catch it like you are catching a water balloon was what i used to be told...take your racket down slowly with the ball. It's easier to hit a drop volley on a ball that is already dropping.

Br

[BravoRed691]

Then again...what do i know lol! Anybody else???

Br

[Vision84]

If you are used to punching and not soft touch volleys then try softening your grip. This helps absorb some of the power. Just practice this for a while till you get a feel of it.

[str33t]

If you watch the pro's drop volleys, you'll see that when they contact the ball, they sort of pull the racquet away from the ball. Instead of going forward like regular volleys, the racquet head sort of bounces backwards. This takes the power off of the ball.

[Loco4Tennis]

i was tought that the drop volley is all about the grip, the softer the grip the less its gonna bounce back
too soft a grip will make it drop short,
its all about the touch, hence the reason why most people prefer to punch it, you can't really teach "touch"
volleys unlilke slices require you to know your racquet/strings/and the impact of the ball on the racquet tension you have, so playing with the same racquet all the time and not making changes to it will help with the touch, slices however can be achieved by having good proper form, and not soo much touch know-how on the craddling thats also needed for it

[Rafael_Nadal_6257]

Keep your racket face open and bend your knees to get under the ball. Very GENTLY put some backspin/sidespin on the ball, not necessary, but increases chances of a winner. Practice catching the ball on your racket and almost pull your racket away from the ball as you strike it.

[Bagumbawalla]

Obviously, the harder the ball is hit over the net the more difficult it is to apply a touch shot.

Have someone hit you a variety of shots (from a vast bucket of balls) at a slow to medium speed. Try some touch shots/dorp-volleys and placements-- at the very least, you will be more prepared to hit them intentionally the next time.

[my_forehand]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjlClQi62Kc

You posted that as a spin volley in your volley thread, saying it was an example of what you meant. Wazza matter Rickson, can't do a drop volley when you have club about it? Please don't say from the baseline. You never stated from the baseline; to be the leader you have to do it from anywhere on the court.

[Djokovicfan4life]

Uh-oh, looks like Jiggles is back to his tantrums!

[my_forehand]

Uh-oh, looks like Jiggles is back to his tantrums!

You have such bad-ass comebacks. Is that the best you think of?

"Easy sailor." WOOH!

Why don't you try...for once, to actually answer the question instead of saying something about tantrums. Or is that the best your tiny brain can come up with?

[daddy]

Okay this is my fav shot. Just do NOT hold the racquet tightly, loosen up a grip somewhat and then if you feel confident enough you may add some sidespin to it. Let the ball move the racquet backwards when it hits it and try to create any sort of angle so you have a better margin for errors. I do this from both sides all the time .. You should really practice this a bit, tell someone to hit mid speed and practice a feel for racquet grip, it is all in handling of the racquet with drop volley.

Someone suggested half-volley - letting it bounce. For this - imo one of the hardest shots to pull off - you should create a exact angle with your racquet while picking up the ball from the ground virtually. This requires a bit more practice. ;)

[Rickson]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjlClQi62Kc

You posted that as a spin volley in your volley thread, saying it was an example of what you meant. Wazza matter Rickson, can't do a drop volley when you have club about it? Please don't say from the baseline. You never stated from the baseline; to be the leader you have to do it from anywhere on the court.

Titties, I was talking about a touch volley, not a sidespin volley. I can do those crazy spin droppers all day, but the accidental touch volley is another story. Did you even read what I wrote? I said the ball cleared the net by only an inch and it flew an inch past the net after that. I didn't put my intentional backspin/sidespin combo I usually use on droppers, Titties. The ball barely cleared the net and landed so close to the net, it would have been an impossible pickup anyway. Do you understand now? Jeez!