Anyone else hate their forehand volley?

[Simon_the_furry]

I once had a lot of trouble with that stroke. And like the OP, I didn't have trouble with the backhand volley. But trying to do a flat FH volley, (which I assumed would be the easiest way), is very awkward. Coming downward, even if only slightly, feels much better.

Watching players on videos, you'll notice that their racquethead goes from high to low quite a bit sometimes. Players, if this stroke gives you trouble, try that. If it doesn't work for you, you don't have to do it.

It is a slight downward motion, but there's a fine line between going downward and chopping at the ball.

 

[Dou]

volley is the easiest stroke... there is, literally, NOTHING to it.

conti grip, slightly eastern is fine.

start with relaxed grip, make sure racket head is above the hand... grip pressure is 3 out of 10.

now, use a ball machine, use this set up, just catch the ball.... don't worry about unit turn, don't worry about punch, don't worry about nothing... just catch it, like you were catch it with the palm of your hand.

ok, so with the 3 out of 10 grip pressure, the ball won't go anywhere, it will probably just die on your side of the net.

don't worry, now try this - as the ball comes in, you still try to catch it, but now you also squeeze the handle, increase grip pressure to 8 for a deep volley, or to a 4 for a drop volley.

I once used this analogy and people went speechless.. when you squeeze the handle to grip pressure of 8, the racket works like an erection, it has plenty of power to hit a forcefully volley this way, without you swinging forward.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

volley is the easiest stroke... there is, literally, NOTHING to it.

If that were true, people would have much better volleys.

It's not the easiest stroke but it is the simplest [not the same thing] from a bio-mechanical standpoint: I can hit a winner volley by sticking my racquet out, not swinging, and merely angling the strings correctly. This is much more difficult to do when 39' away from the net on the BL.

I think most people's problems with volleys come from:
- overcomplicating the stroke
- poor footwork
- too big of a takeback
- feeling the need to "punch" every volley, no matter the circumstance
- feeling the need to put away every volley
- using the same exact technique for every volley
- worrying about getting passed

conti grip, slightly eastern is fine.

start with relaxed grip, make sure racket head is above the hand... grip pressure is 3 out of 10.

now, use a ball machine, use this set up, just catch the ball.... don't worry about unit turn, don't worry about punch, don't worry about nothing... just catch it, like you were catch it with the palm of your hand.

ok, so with the 3 out of 10 grip pressure, the ball won't go anywhere, it will probably just die on your side of the net.

An advanced drill is here:

https://www.essentialtennis.com/2-tips-better-touch-better-feel-tennis-lesson/

If you can do the 2nd drill of catching the ball on your strings, you have great touch.

don't worry, now try this - as the ball comes in, you still try to catch it, but now you also squeeze the handle, increase grip pressure to 8 for a deep volley, or to a 4 for a drop volley.

I once used this analogy and people went speechless.. when you squeeze the handle to grip pressure of 8, the racket works like an erection, it has plenty of power to hit a forcefully volley this way, without you swinging forward.

Yup: grip pressure and racquet face angle are the main determinants. The folks over at Essential Tennis did a good job of going through the ideas:

 

[VacationTennis]

More of a rant than anything, but man, I just can't volley on my forehand for the life of me.

It's especially frustrating, because my backhand volley is very solid. I would go so far as to say that my backhand volley is my favorite shot. I score a lot of points on it and feel very comfortable.

My forehand is just a mess though. Tonight I was determined to go out and work on it, so I rented a ball machine and just practiced volleys. As usual, my BH looked great - my FH was horrible. When I didn't shank it, I made bad contact. I was hitting so bad it actually gave me wrist pain and I had to stop hitting FH volleys - and I never get pain in tennis, so that was surprising.

The only time I have any success with a FH volley is by switching to an eastern grip, but I know that is improper, and I don't have time to switch grips at the net.

Anyone else have this vast difference in quality from FH to BH? Any tips on improving it?

I've always struggled with the fh volley. BH is solid, there is no wrist bend and it's easy to keep everything lined up, minimal moving parts - it makes sense to me.

I never truly got comfortable with the fh volley, it feels so floppy with how you have to lay back your wrist in comparison to the bh volley. It feels like the racket head wants to fall horizontal naturally. The only time I get a good contact out in front the ball flies up because the open face opens more the further you hit out front. It's hard to get a solid contact when your wrist is laid back, partially. I need to start over with this stroke and learn it the right way.

 

[TnsGuru]

I have to admit that my FH volley is my weakest volley. My BH volley is very natural and I don't "think" about it while executing it. The FH volley on the other hand I have to really concentrate on my technique to hit an effective volley or the volley is a mishit or a weak floater. The continental forehand grip is a bit weak sometimes and I have to adjust on higher volleys with a slight shift towards the Eastern forehand to get some pace but that is the only real issue I have with my FH volley.

I'm also thinking that the BH volley is easier because the arm/shoulder is further out in front of the body. Then again, I see lots of players who have superior FH volleys to their BH and they seem just as dumbfounded as yourself. I say take some lessons and record the session and go from there. Good luck!

 

[coupergear]

Im with you. Especially high FH volley. Really struggle to hit them clean.

 

[34n]

Anyone else have this vast difference in quality from FH to BH? Any tips on improving it?

Drill with a ball machine... No racquet. Try catching balls with Both hands on the forehand side ( do all the necessary footwork). The idea is to keeping hands together until the the racquet face is open to the incoming ball.

Watch this. This is excellent. Both hands are almost on the grip until the racquet is ready. Only after that left hand moves forward to add some extra power to the shot. If you dont need extra power just keep hands close through the contact

The "Simple Volley Progression " video shows forehand volley incorrectly ( he plays okay, but shows it wrong) If you keep hands apart during the shoulder turn you will not be able to handle fast shots.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

The "Simple Volley Progression " video shows forehand volley incorrectly ( he plays okay, but shows it wrong) If you keep hands apart during the shoulder turn you will not be able to handle fast shots.

I don't understand what you mean by "if you keep hands apart": do you mean on a FH volley takeback, the non-dominant hand should be next to the dominant hand rather than on the throat?

 

[mcs1970]

What racquet do you have?

It's true that if you have sound technique, the racquet should not matter, However, the reality is a lot of adult players who start off late will never have sound technique. Experiment and get a racquet that masks some of your fitness/technique issues. I've tried everything, even choking up on the handle as I mentioned previously, but none of them stood the test of time when it came to volleying.

I've been exclusively using the Pure Drive for match play for the last couple of months, and it's like I'm a totally different player. I've gone from volleys being my worst shot to becoming really solid at the net. I was/still am addicted to the feel of my PB 10s, and still practice a lot with those sticks, but I can't argue with the match play results that the Pure Drive has yielded. Leave players' sticks to the better players.

 

[Simon_the_furry]

start with relaxed grip, make sure racket head is above the hand... grip pressure is 3 out of 10.

now, use a ball machine, use this set up, just catch the ball.... don't worry about unit turn, don't worry about punch, don't worry about nothing... just catch it, like you were catch it with the palm of your hand.

ok, so with the 3 out of 10 grip pressure, the ball won't go anywhere, it will probably just die on your side of the net.

don't worry, now try this - as the ball comes in, you still try to catch it, but now you also squeeze the handle, increase grip pressure to 8 for a deep volley, or to a 4 for a drop volley.

I once used this analogy and people went speechless.. when you squeeze the handle to grip pressure of 8, the racket works like an erection, it has plenty of power to hit a forcefully volley this way, without you swinging forward.

Brilliant analogy, actually.

 

[34n]

I don't understand what you mean by "if you keep hands apart": do you mean on a FH volley takeback, the non-dominant hand should be next to the dominant hand rather than on the throat?

Does not matter. They shoud be close as if you are trying to catch the ball with both hands.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Does not matter. They shoud be close as if you are trying to catch the ball with both hands.

I still can't visualize what you're writing. When I take my FH volley back, my non-dominant hand in on the throat so it's "apart" from my dominant hand and I can still react to fast balls. This is how most people FH volley. Can you find a video of someone volleying as you are describing?

 

[34n]

I still can't visualize what you're writing. When I take my FH volley back, my non-dominant hand in on the throat so it's "apart" from my dominant hand and I can still react to fast balls. This is how most people FH volley. Can you find a video of someone volleying as you are describing?

On the throat is fine. In the video I criticized the coach was showing hands more than a foot apart. And the OP seems doing the same. So I suggested drill with catching balks with two hands.

 

[Smarticus523]

i also have bad forehand volleys, i think its because i never slice off the forehand, only topsin drives. Therefore when i do slice i think i incorparte too much swing into it, on the backhand since i have a two hander i have learned to slice from that wing. So this spring my goal will be to incorporate a slice forehand which will help with my forehand volleys.

Visually it's also tough sometimes tracking the ball into the racquet... Particularly if it's coming cross court. With the backhand your eyes are pulled in the right direction by your shoulder.

 

[Smarticus523]

You're right. Slice forehand is a legitimate shot, just like a slice backhand is a legitimate shot.

The slice backhand uses the back muscles to swing, which allows for fixed racquet position swing that can drive through the ball at a controlled pace. The slice forehand can't be done using a major muscle group which makes it very different shot that requires touch /feel which is hard to teach. The pinching of the shoulder blades with a backhand slice is something anyone can learn to do with a little practice.

 

[TnsGuru]

you have to go continental grip or try something called the Australian FH grip which is a slight shift towards a weak eastern grip. BH is a slight shift from continental to eastern BH. The old school Aussies used it for their volleys.

 

[Hmgraphite1]

The slice backhand uses the back muscles to swing, which allows for fixed racquet position swing that can drive through the ball at a controlled pace. The slice forehand can't be done using a major muscle group which makes it very different shot that requires touch /feel which is hard to teach. The pinching of the shoulder blades with a backhand slice is something anyone can learn to do with a little practice.

You can squeeze your pecs together on the slice fh, no?

 

[JohnYandell]

Keep the left hand on the racket and turn the body and arms 45 degrees to the net. This is the move most players with bad forehand volleys miss, instead moving the arm independently. Now push with the racket hand in a unitary rotation from the shoulder. Don't try to "punch" or extend the hitting arm independently.

 

[Talking Donkey]

I have the worst forehand volley in the history of tennis, bar none. However I will not give up. I will not give up. I will not give up.

 

[Clay lover]

you might want to try soft conti for FH with index knuckle and palm shifted a little toward E FH, and strong conti with index knuckle and palm shifter toward E BH.

My bet is you are not used to the sensation of not having much palm behind impact. Shifting to soft conti toward E FH for volley will put more meat behind contact and probably give you a more solid feel and better control of the racket head.

With conti, you might want to be sure that you get the racket head up above the hand a bit too. This helps get a better feel. If you dangle the head low or let the racket head drop to hand level, conti feels a little weak. This is like serving with a conti grip - it works best if you hand is outside of contact and racket head is closer to your body. For R handed server looking at server from behind the angle from hand to racket contact would be like this \

I've exactly the problems you mentioned (always feeling like there's not enough meat behind contact with a conti and finding it hard keeping the racquet up). Good pieces of advice for sure.

 

[ey039524]

I love hitting FH volleys. Way easier to get pop relative to bh. Step w the opposite foot, turn the shoulders, and push through, instead of chopping down. From there, it's all timing from reps.

 

[user92626]

I love hitting FH volleys. Way easier to get pop relative to bh. Step w the opposite foot, turn the shoulders, and push through, instead of chopping down. From there, it's all timing from reps.

When you have to move to volley, which foot do you think to move first? For FH and BH.

 

[ey039524]

When you have to move to volley, which foot do you think to move first? For FH and BH.

right handed fh, step forward w left foot; opposite w bh

 

[nyta2]

When you have to move to volley, which foot do you think to move first? For FH and BH.

right handed fh, step forward w left foot; opposite w bh

if rh fh...
move right foot
then left foot
then follow through with right foot

 

[ey039524]

if rh fh...
move right foot
then left foot
then follow through with right foot

Do you move your right foot forward or back first? I know some people drop back w their right foot, but I don't. If it's a fast shot at me, I don't have time for two steps, and I won't step back, but stay and try to turn my shoulders or step out if the way if it's at my body.

My sequence:
- Split step
- Turn and step forward w opposite foot of hitting side (if rh fh, then step forward w left)
- if moving forward, then either follow through w right foot, or use it to stop momentum before running into the net.

I don't think I ever move w the same foot/side. Was always taught opposite as a junior.

 

[nyta2]

Do you move your right foot forward or back first? I know some people drop back w their right foot, but I don't. If it's a fast shot at me, I don't have time for two steps, and I won't step back, but stay and try to turn my shoulders or step out if the way if it's at my body.

My sequence:
- Split step
- Turn and step forward w opposite foot of hitting side (if rh fh, then step forward w left)
- if moving forward, then either follow through w right foot, or use it to stop momentum before running into the net.

I don't think I ever move w the same foot/side. Was always taught opposite as a junior.

original question is what is your footwork if you have to move for the ball (eg. not a body shot)

depends how far you have to move...
if very far, i end up doing a gravity step, cross over, etc...
if just out of reach, i step out with right
if body, sometimes just weight forward, and adjust as needed
never drop back with right foot
if you just do cross overs to reach the ball i bet you find yourself flat footed on the volley alot...

 

[Rosstour]

I have the worst forehand volley in the history of tennis, bar none. However I will not give up. I will not give up. I will not give up.

Mine is probably worse bro

Easily my worst shot, and I have an actually good FH slice!

 

[ey039524]

original question is what is your footwork if you have to move for the ball (eg. not a body shot)

depends how far you have to move...
if very far, i end up doing a gravity step, cross over, etc...
if just out of reach, i step out with right
if body, sometimes just weight forward, and adjust as needed
never drop back with right foot
if you just do cross overs to reach the ball i bet you find yourself flat footed on the volley alot...

If I'm moving to the ball, e.g., poaching, I'm still stepping opposite foot first, but most likely getting in 3 steps to end w/ the opposite foot.

I'll see if my son can video some volleys. We're both active at the net, not flat-footed. Volleys/net play is the strongest part of my game (only play dubs).

 

[user92626]

@ey039524 @nyta2

I actually understand both approaches (both of your posts).

I know the text book and Bryan Bros teach what nyta1 says. You get into the volley position (if you are out of position) with the same side foot first, called lining up for the shot, which is like the ground strokes.

But I also know the merit of what @ey039524 method through experience. It just feels ALOT faster via that method but you'll sacrifice reach.


For @ey039524

 

[nyta2]

@ey039524 @nyta2

I actually understand both approaches (both of your posts).

I know the text book and Bryan Bros teach what nyta1 says. You get into the volley position (if you are out of position) with the same side foot first, called lining up for the shot, which is like the ground strokes.

But I also know the merit of what @ey039524 method through experience. It just feels ALOT faster via that method but you'll sacrifice reach.


For @ey039524

there was a time where i only crossed over my oppoiste leg without lining up... and i was often caught flat footed, and/or just out of reach...
but when i changed my mindset to (for volleys i need to move to):
0: split
1. "line up"/load/step out
2. step across
3. follow through step
my volleys improved quite a bit...

i abbreivate to split-RLR

 

[Friedman Whip]

This drill singlehandedly fixed my volleys, and I can hang with low 5.0s in doubles now.

Give it a try.

Just noticed something on this drill that I've not noticed before. Black's left hand is way up the racket close to the strings. You think this is the way she really volleys in a match?

 

[ey039524]

@ey039524 @nyta2

I actually understand both approaches (both of your posts).

I know the text book and Bryan Bros teach what nyta1 says. You get into the volley position (if you are out of position) with the same side foot first, called lining up for the shot, which is like the ground strokes.

But I also know the merit of what @ey039524 method through experience. It just feels ALOT faster via that method but you'll sacrifice reach.


For @ey039524

This is good. I remember seeing a video of the Bryans teaching this. I'm almost certain I don't take the extra step w the same foot first. I'll have my son video me this week and post it. I don't know if I've ever seen myself volley on video, but now I'm interested to see what I actually do. If he doesn't have time today, I might go set it up by myself w the ball machine. I can't wait to see.

 

[user92626]

This is good. I remember seeing a video of the Bryans teaching this. I'm almost certain I don't take the extra step w the same foot first. I'll have my son video me this week and post it. I don't know if I've ever seen myself volley on video, but now I'm interested to see what I actually do. If he doesn't have time today, I might go set it up by myself w the ball machine. I can't wait to see.

I think your method fits me better personally. That's because I rarely take many steps to poach.

I actually used to practice your method and share with fellow players. I volleyed well for a while and as usual I tried to change for better but actually got worse.

I do not let my mind get super familiar with anything!

 

[ey039524]

I played a 4.5 level doubles liveball clinic tonight. There were only 5 of us, so the line was moving too fast (only one person in line) to have my son video my volleys. Just shadow swinging volleys, I think I step w/ my left foot on my fh, but I also take a small left footed step on my bh volley before I step w/ my right. I know I hop (split step) before each. I will still try to get a video to confirm this. Tonight, I was less focused on my feet while playing, and more concerned w/ my crazy string job (every other cross; see Shroud's thread on the strings forum), so footwork wasn't my main focal point.

Edit: I should add that my high fh volley felt super strong and fast w/ the string job.

 

[user92626]