Underspin on volleys

[Headshotterer]

To get underspin on all volleys, are you supposed to move and slice your racket face down a bit after you make contact on the ball?

If not, HOW
Ty

[WildVolley]

Often times you should hit with a slightly open face and a downward movement of the racket using the continental grip. This will put underspin on the ball and make it easier to control.

Strictly speaking, to impart much slice, the racket needs to be moving down the ball slightly at contact, not after contact.

[Headshotterer]

when i try that it slices and goes really high

[matchmaker]

Originally Posted by Headshotterer

when i try that it slices and goes really high

Wrong timing and probably you are not moving down but rather pushing forward.

[tennisdad65]

Originally Posted by Headshotterer

when i try that it slices and goes really high

it takes some practice to get the timing right. first volley against the wall and maybe try your backhand volley first. backhand was easier for me, maybe since I use slice 1hbh groundstroke a lot.

[andreh]

With proper volley technique I think you would probably get some underspin without doing anything in particular except blocking in back. Especially on volleys that are below the net, which is where you need it the most.

If you conciously try to slice it you might end up taking too big a swing on the volley to cut under it. That will create a lot of other problems

[40lovebaby]

I agree with Andre H.

The slightly open raquet face provides the backspin. There shouldn't be an effort to chop down on the ball to produce it, or you will add inconsistency to your volleys, which is a nightmare.

[Element54]

If you find the floats, try to close the racket face more, and then volley with the underspin.

[larry10s]

underspin is NOT chop down . although you go from high to low to high again(go check out volley at fuzzyyellowballs.com). the open face produces the underspin

[skiracer55]

Originally Posted by 40lovebaby

I agree with Andre H.

The slightly open raquet face provides the backspin. There shouldn't be an effort to chop down on the ball to produce it, or you will add inconsistency to your volleys, which is a nightmare.

...turn the shoulders, short backswing, punch through the ball toward your objective...and make sure you have a Continental grip on both sides. If you're using an Eastern forehand grip on your forehand volley, for example, you're going to fall into chopping or scooping at the ball to artificially create slice...and, as 40lovebaby notes, the nightmare just began...

[mikeler]

The previous posters have it right. Try to punch the ball and you'll probably find that you inadvertently put some backspin on it. On the low balls, the natural downward motion of your racket will work to put backspin on the ball. You really only need a lot of backspin for drop volleys which are not a high percentage shot unless you have great hands at the net.

[Bungalo Bill]

Originally Posted by Headshotterer

when i try that it slices and goes really high

It is most likely you are turning your hand and trying to "carve" the spin on the ball.

All you have to do is have a slightly open racquet face and move your arm from the shoudler slightly downward. Very slightly. When you get good with this, you can also have a slightly open racquet face and go through the ball and it will impart some underspin.

Do not use your wrist or lower arm to "add" spin.

Watch the first one here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOfUM...eature=related

The racquet is swung from the shoulder.

The rest of the arm is pretty much in a fixed position.

Layback the hand.

With the racquet starting higher than the ball, and as the ball comes into the contact point, bring the racquet down into the ball and through it. Let the ball bounce off the strings.

[andreh]

Originally Posted by Bungalo Bill

It is most likely you are turning your hand and trying to "carve" the spin on the ball.

All you have to do is have a slightly open racquet face and move your arm from the shoudler slightly downward. Very slightly. When you get good with this, you can also have a slightly open racquet face and go through the ball and it will impart some underspin.

Do not use your wrist or lower arm to "add" spin.

Watch the first one here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOfUM...eature=related

The racquet is swung from the shoulder.

The rest of the arm is pretty much in a fixed position.

Layback the hand.

With the racquet starting higher than the ball, and as the ball comes into the contact point, bring the racquet down into the ball and through it. Let the ball bounce off the strings.

Interesting to see on this video that Federer seems to take a little bit bigger swing on almost all volleys compared say, Edberg and Rafter.

[Bungalo Bill]

Originally Posted by andreh

Interesting to see on this video that Federer seems to take a little bit bigger swing on almost all volleys compared say, Edberg and Rafter.

Yes, but that doesnt mean we can.

[Djokovicfan4life]

Originally Posted by Bungalo Bill

Yes, but that doesnt mean we can.

Man, I hate how the pros can get away with stuff like that. For example, you're always talking about the smile pattern for the one hander, but then I watch Gasquet smack the greatest winners I've ever seen with the loopiest swing known to man.

I know that your methods are the best for us mere mortals, but it's just so tempting to do things like a loopy takeback after watching the best in the world doing it.

[andreh]

Originally Posted by Bungalo Bill

Yes, but that doesnt mean we can.

exactly! 10 char

[skiracer55]

...in this thread:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showt...=225001&page=2

[Bungalo Bill]

Originally Posted by Djokovicfan4life

Man, I hate how the pros can get away with stuff like that. For example, you're always talking about the smile pattern for the one hander, but then I watch Gasquet smack the greatest winners I've ever seen with the loopiest swing known to man.

I can bet he is still using the smile pattern. Try to draw some vid's up and let's examine.

Pros usually have developed a repeatable swing. What may be different is how far he takes the racquet back. Also, it is normal for people to think the hand pattern should duplicate the racquet head pattern. Nobody really watches the hand.

I know that your methods are the best for us mere mortals, but it's just so tempting to do things like a loopy takeback after watching the best in the world doing it.

Ahhhh, but I think I showed you immortals doing the same thing. Dont get caught up in how much more or better a pro can do it. Keep in mind, it has taken years for them to make things look simple.

[Djokovicfan4life]

Not the best video, but here's a look at his backhand, plus some forehands as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOJHg...eature=related

I think I'm starting to see the smile pattern in his backhand. I guess he just has a much bigger swing, like you said earlier. He seems to use a lot of wrist in his backhand though.

[Bungalo Bill]

Originally Posted by Djokovicfan4life

Not the best video, but here's a look at his backhand, plus some forehands as well: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOJHg...eature=related

I think I'm starting to see the smile pattern in his backhand. I guess he just has a much bigger swing, like you said earlier. He seems to use a lot of wrist in his backhand though.

Wow, great eye!!!!

He actually does perform the reverse smile pattern that I often tell players not to do. I have not done any studying on his strokes whatsoever, so that is great to know.

Here is an example of how he takes the racquet back. He is making a reverse smile pattern and it takes a long long time to get it to the forward portion of the swing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsdv5-eC3PY

Even after seeing this, I would still not recommend this for people learning and growing with the onehander. It just takes too much in timing skills and ability to be consistent and hit on time for many many players.

The vast majority use the "smile" pattern.

I would prefer seeing players copy the hitting hand pattern that Rodger and many others use. It is much simpler and just as effective.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxvRt...eature=related

Thanks for alerting me to this.