Advice on teaching the swing volley

[TheIrrefutableOne]

first of all, do most pros teach it ?

if so how ? grip, contact angle, etc.


thank you

[5263]

First...Understand that it is a placement shot way more than a power shot.
Very medium power, but successful due to stealing time and hitting to the open
court.
Most try to bash it for power and tend to be inconsistent.

[LeeD]

Well, the William's seem to hit with power first and foremost.
If they were going for consistency, they'd hit a conventional underspin approach volley. They do it sometimes in doubles.
Key is closed stance, linear stroke, aim higher than you think you need, and tons of practice. Also, knowing you have to hit it off a higher ball, not something that dropped down to your knees.

[Limpinhitter]

Originally Posted by TheIrrefutableOne

first of all, do most pros teach it ?

if so how ? grip, contact angle, etc.


thank you

IMO, it's a shot that you only go for on floaters, such as when your opponent attempts a lob that comes up short and is too low to smash with a full swing. In that situation, it isn't much different than taking a moonball from the baseline except that your target trajectory is much lower.

[5263]

Originally Posted by LeeD

Well, the William's seem to hit with power first and foremost.
If they were going for consistency, they'd hit a conventional underspin approach volley.

they also miss quite a few as well and I've seem them give away games and
even sets blasting away on this shot.

No, there is NO reason to go to the other end of the spectrum to a normal
volley...just hit the TS swinger with good medium placement to use the
advantage it gives.

[5263]

Originally Posted by Limpinhitter

IMO, it's a shot that you only go for on floaters, such as when your opponent attempts a lob that comes up short and is too low to smash with a full swing. In that situation, it isn't much different than taking a moonball from the baseline except that your target trajectory is much lower.

very good info

[LeeD]

Different strokes, different generations.
I come from the S/V era, use big grips, volley much better than my groundies. An approach shot taken on a fly from NML is always hit with underspin, closed stance, slightly longer swing than a net volley, usually DTL, but not always. The slice approach usually skids low, making a pass attempt harder than a topspin approach would.
Even as a winner attempt, a underspin works just fine, as I'm closer to service line positioning, taking time away from the returner (other guy).
Use what you can do, and by all means, practice what you can't. I see no reason for topspin approach shots from NML off a fly ball.

[goran_ace]

Originally Posted by TheIrrefutableOne

first of all, do most pros teach it ?

The pros at my club teach it. Part of the modern game. They advocate using it as an approach, not an all-or-nothing putaway shot. They don't force everyone to learn it though, it's just one more tool to have in the bag. Players who normally hit with a lot of top from the baseline have an easier time learning it, those who struggle with it are encouraged to use a more conventional punched high midcourt volley.

[5263]

Originally Posted by LeeD

Different strokes, different generations.
I come from the S/V era, use big grips, volley much better than my groundies. An approach shot taken on a fly from NML is always hit with underspin, closed stance, slightly longer swing than a net volley, usually DTL, but not always. The slice approach usually skids low, making a pass attempt harder than a topspin approach would.
Even as a winner attempt, a underspin works just fine, as I'm closer to service line positioning, taking time away from the returner (other guy).
Use what you can do, and by all means, practice what you can't. I see no reason for topspin approach shots from NML off a fly ball.

nobody is arguing this, but does not relate to the OP as I understand it.
It does explain why you don't get it about the swinging volley being a placement
shot, since you don't use or prefer it, but the OP is asking about important info
on doing the swinger correctly; not whether it is better or not.

[5263]

Originally Posted by goran_ace

The pros at my club teach it. Part of the modern game. They advocate using it as an approach, not an all-or-nothing putaway shot. They don't force everyone to learn it though, it's just one more tool to have in the bag. Players who normally hit with a lot of top from the baseline have an easier time learning it, those who struggle with it are encouraged to use a more conventional punched high midcourt volley.

sound like a very reasonable approach to it.