Volley question ...

[Davis937]

I was taught from the beginning to use a Continental grip when volleying (for both the FH and BH volleys) ... a single grip ... this has worked pretty well for me ... it's interesting, though ... I've recently noticed two strong doubles players (good volleys) and they switch grips on their volley strokes ... use both continental and eastern FH grip ... their volleys seem pretty crisp and strong ... what's the current thinking on the volley grip ... what would be some of the advantages / draw backs to using a single grip vs. changing grips (... and what would be some of these "changing" grips, eg. EFH) ... thanks in advance for sharing!

 

[Spokewench]

I was taught from the beginning to use a Continental grip when volleying (for both the FH and BH volleys) ... a single grip ... this has worked pretty well for me ... it's interesting, though ... I've recently noticed two strong doubles players (good volleys) and they switch grips on their volley strokes ... use both continental and eastern FH grip ... their volleys seem pretty crisp and strong ... what's the current thinking on the volley grip ... what would be some of the advantages / draw backs to using a single grip vs. changing grips (... and what would be some of these "changing" grips, eg. EFH) ... thanks in advance for sharing!

I personally think that using a Conti grip for volleys is the best thing to do. It is hard when balls are zipping around really fast to change your grip so for that reason, I think the Conti is the best thing; however that being said, I hit with a modified grip on my forehand volley. The reason for this is that I have a weak wrist and the modification give me more stability and keeps my wrist from hurting. I always have to remember that I need to tip the leading edge of my forehand volley up a little bit so that I compensate for the grip and what the grip does which is puts the ball into the net if you do not compensate. You can adapt to this, but you just have to be aware of the need for a different volley execution.

spoke

 

[paulfreda]

I use a Continental but
I also will switch to EFH or EBH grips if a slow ball or a high ball is coming and I want to hit it more out front.

 

[SystemicAnomaly]

Back in the day, when tennis was noticeably slower than the modern game, switching between a FH grip and a BH grip for volleys was the de facto standard. As the game got faster, especially with fast exchanges in doubles, volleyers adopted the continental for both sides. Often, a minor grip change is possible. Players will often use the conti for most BHs and shift slightly toward a semi-continental for many (perhaps not all) FHs.

 

[papa]

Back in the day, when tennis was noticeably slower than the modern game, switching between a FH grip and a BH grip for volleys was the de facto standard. As the game got faster, especially with fast exchanges in doubles, volleyers adopted the continental for both sides. Often, a minor grip change is possible. Players will often use the conti for most BHs and shift slightly toward a semi-continental for many (perhaps not all) FHs.

Very interesting point. Although I always teach using the continental (hammer) grip I find myself doing exactly what your talking about and believe it or not, a couple of students have picked up on it.

I have no idea if your a tennis instructor but I've certainly enjoyed your many posts. Would you encourage those of us that are involved with instruction to incorporate this slight change with advanced players?

 

[OrangeOne]

I was taught from the beginning to use a Continental grip when volleying (for both the FH and BH volleys) ... a single grip ... this has worked pretty well for me ... it's interesting, though ... I've recently noticed two strong doubles players (good volleys) and they switch grips on their volley strokes ... use both continental and eastern FH grip ... their volleys seem pretty crisp and strong ... what's the current thinking on the volley grip ... ]

Current thinking is still to hold an conti grip for net-play. In serious, high-level doubles, there is not time to change, and for most it's the only grip that will let you hit Fh volleys/Bh volleys/half-volleys/smashes. I suppose if you have infinite time on a ball you could do whatever you wanted (western FH and drive volley it, for example), but if I was coaching someone, I'd be telling them conti.

Have a look at the pros instead of the couple of guys you happen to have seen.... I don't think you'll find it (changing) is that common a practice.

 

[papa]

Current thinking is still to hold an conti grip for net-play. In serious, high-level doubles, there is not time to change, and for most it's the only grip that will let you hit Fh volleys/Bh volleys/half-volleys/smashes. I suppose if you have infinite time on a ball you could do whatever you wanted (western FH and drive volley it, for example), but if I was coaching someone, I'd be telling them conti.

Have a look at the pros instead of the couple of guys you happen to have seen.... I don't think you'll find it (changing) is that common a practice.

Yes, I think this is still solid advice. However, with me its very subtle like moving my index finger a spec or a fraction of a turn - I'm not even aware I'm doing it its so small.

 

[Djokovicfan4life]

Back in the day, when tennis was noticeably slower than the modern game, switching between a FH grip and a BH grip for volleys was the de facto standard. As the game got faster, especially with fast exchanges in doubles, volleyers adopted the continental for both sides. Often, a minor grip change is possible. Players will often use the conti for most BHs and shift slightly toward a semi-continental for many (perhaps not all) FHs.

When I slide over a bit towards the eastern forehand grip my forehand volleys are much cleaner. I guess you'd call it an australian or semi continental or something, but that's really spitting hairs.

 

[Nellie]

I would not suggest going to different volley grips - it is too hard to break this habit.

I have seen some literature about going to an eastern backhand grip on very low forehand volleys and an eastern forward grip on the low backhand volleys to further open the face of the racquet, but this is more of a specialty shot.

 

[Davis937]

Thanks folks ... some good posts and interesting information that I didn't realize before ... one of the posts cautioned that probably not too many pros "switch" volley grips ... does anyone have any further information on this ... i.e. know which pros tend to change their volley grips depending on the shot or situation ...

 

[larry10s]

learn to volley with acontinental grip until its like tying your shoes. i think MANY pro volliers subtley changr there grip depending on the type of volley they want to hit.for example one pro i take lessons with is an angle volley animal.for example on a forehand volley he really wants to carve the ball he switches to morebackhand grip. if he wants to hit a flatter volley he drifts more towards forehand grip.
to papa its tough to teach this grip change. my pro tries to get me to do it but as someone who started at age 49 mplaying 9 years i still feel i need to master volleys with one grip conti before i get into the subtleties. if i was traing an advanced junior i at least would expose them to the concept.
in my opinion the really gifted figure it out for themselves(not me)

 

[OrangeOne]

learn to volley with acontinental grip until its like tying your shoes. i think MANY pro volliers subtley changr there grip depending on the type of volley they want to hit.for example one pro i take lessons with is an angle volley animal.for example on a forehand volley he really wants to carve the ball he switches to morebackhand grip. if he wants to hit a flatter volley he drifts more towards forehand grip.
to papa its tough to teach this grip change. my pro tries to get me to do it but as someone who started at age 49 mplaying 9 years i still feel i need to master volleys with one grip conti before i get into the subtleties. if i was traing an advanced junior i at least would expose them to the concept.
in my opinion the really gifted figure it out for themselves(not me)

Nice post, I pretty much agree with all of it.

I liken the possibility of subtly changing grips to this: I realised, that on a desperate running fh/bh, I will sometimes let the racquet slide out of my hand so that only 2 or 3 fingers hold the grip - giving an extra 2 inches of reach. It may only happen once a match, but it's something I do. I posted a thread on here, and spoke to some other players, and it turns out many experienced players do it. But here's the thing: No-one ever taught me to do it, and I'd never coach a student to do it. It just happens, it's just a subtle subconcious tweak..

 

[CoachingMastery]

Understand that the continental grip is your "foundation" grip. Once this grip is the natual grip, player often evolve this grip for feel and situations. You will see some pros migrate over towards an eastern forehand grip for some higher volleys. (I don't remember seeing a pro use an eastern backhand grip ever, however.)

The thing people don't realize is that when they first establish eastern grips it can prohibit them from advancing to more skilled volley shots; angles, touch, low volleys off hard hit balls, etc. Because the eastern grips lay the racquet back players often are late, can't set the angle for sharp angles and have difficulty with touch since in order to get the racquet angle back on target, eastern grippers have to literally swing the racquet around to establish the desired angle. Thus, they tend to hit angles and touch shots too hard.

There is a lot more to it than just this...but, my advice to you is to make sure you have a solid volley with a continental grip and then let your volley evolve from that foundation.

Good luck!

 

[Davis937]

Understand that the continental grip is your "foundation" grip. Once this grip is the natual grip, player often evolve this grip for feel and situations. You will see some pros migrate over towards an eastern forehand grip for some higher volleys. (I don't remember seeing a pro use an eastern backhand grip ever, however.)

The thing people don't realize is that when they first establish eastern grips it can prohibit them from advancing to more skilled volley shots; angles, touch, low volleys off hard hit balls, etc. Because the eastern grips lay the racquet back players often are late, can't set the angle for sharp angles and have difficulty with touch since in order to get the racquet angle back on target, eastern grippers have to literally swing the racquet around to establish the desired angle. Thus, they tend to hit angles and touch shots too hard.

There is a lot more to it than just this...but, my advice to you is to make sure you have a solid volley with a continental grip and then let your volley evolve from that foundation.

Good luck!

Thanks CM ... a very good post and informative ... I especially like your idea of a base or foundation grip ... it's a point well taken.

 

[LeeD]

I'm with DJ...
Learn an EFH side of conti for your volleys. On high slow balls, you can hit forceful forehand volleys and hard sliced backhand volleys, dig out low backhand volleys, and have a DIFFERENT spinning ball on each side.
Backhand volleys can be supported by oft hand, needs full shoulder turn and longer swing.

 

[heretoserve]

Great question! There are some good vids around of the Bryan Brothers volleying with a composite conti/eastern. Just to hard to get the racquet face flat with continental on forehand. Plus you know the guy is going crosscourt when stretched. I think you should change grips on the volley whenever you have time. Until you start playing really high level tennis and even then if you get good at it. I personally volley with the conti/eastern composite and don't change.

 

[heretoserve]

def not a true continental grip. I got a chance to talk to them about it a couple months ago at the after party of their fantasy camp. They do call it continental but also said they served with continental. When I pointed out to him that he does not serve and volley with the same grip he said he serves with eastern backhand. So who knows.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6YpbNu9S5w

 

[LeeD]

Edberg, Cash, and Rafter are the 3 most obvious examples of volleyers who use a conti with EFH twist on all volleys. You see the short punch forehand volley, then a much longer, shoulder turned, long prepped backhand volley with much more underspin than the forehand volleys.
They volleyed well.