ball machine and swinging volleys

[raiden031]

So I was using my ball machine today and decided to try something I haven't done with it yet. I decided to hit some swinging/topspin volleys and found it very difficult to hit the ball cleanly. I was shanking the ball left and right. Now this is a shot I don't use much but just occasionally and it showed. I've always had alot of problems returning serves cleanly and this ball machine drill got me thinking. I'm wondering if its just the extra pace associated with a ball on the fly or a serve which is usually faster than a groundstroke even after the bounce that throws off my timing.

My question is this. Even though I don't plan to really use the swinging volley much, is it worthwhile to practice it alot with my ball machine because its something I feel very uncomfortable doing, and it might add another dimension to my hand-eye coordination and timing because it does something I'm not used to? Could it help me better time serves and even normal groundstrokes where the ball is coming pretty fast?

 

[Loco4Tennis]

this is a very interesting drill your proposing for the return of serve,
it could very well help with the short follow through i am working on to get the serve back
if nothing else your hand eye cordination will improve
i also see a more agressive return developing because of this drill, as well as trying to take the ball earlier such as in a second serve return,, i say this because i imagine i would be leaning into the shot alot more with a control short swing to make good contact

 

[5263]

I could see where there are some very good aspects of your idea. My contention is that on swinging volleys you should focus on control, placement, and taking the ball in rhythm, as the pre-bounce ball still has plenty of energy to provide ample power even with a easy swing.
That same idea holds up pretty well when serving too.

 

[itsstephenyo]

Whenever I hit a swinging volley, it's because I'm stuck in no-man's land on a floating ball that needs to be struck well. What I've figured out is that I need to add much more topspin to the ball than I am usually inclined to. If I try to flatten out a swinging volley, it'll always hit the court before even getting over the net.

Focus on getting solid contact. Don't overhit and put a little bit extra topspin on the ball.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

So I was using my ball machine today and decided to try something I haven't done with it yet. I decided to hit some swinging/topspin volleys and found it very difficult to hit the ball cleanly. I was shanking the ball left and right. Now this is a shot I don't use much but just occasionally and it showed. I've always had alot of problems returning serves cleanly and this ball machine drill got me thinking. I'm wondering if its just the extra pace associated with a ball on the fly or a serve which is usually faster than a groundstroke even after the bounce that throws off my timing.

My question is this. Even though I don't plan to really use the swinging volley much, is it worthwhile to practice it alot with my ball machine because its something I feel very uncomfortable doing, and it might add another dimension to my hand-eye coordination and timing because it does something I'm not used to? Could it help me better time serves and even normal groundstrokes where the ball is coming pretty fast?

For swinging volleys, control is the key word.

When players have a hard time executing a swinging volley is because:

1. They think too late and move too late on whether they should take it out of the air. Arriving late plays havoc on your timing because you could be moving forward too fast and this can increase your chance to hit cleanly and on-time.

2. Swinging volleys are best taken at shoulder level with a swing that goes through the ball. Sometimes if you are late you can finesse the ball, but usually that is because you are late to the ball.

3. Recognizing quickly which balls you take out of the air takes practice. You need to quickly judge the ball speed, trajectory, etc...to make a split-second decision to take it out of the air.

4. Your court position can have something to do with hitting a swinging volley. Swinging volleys are less risky as you hit around the service line. They can be taken deeper but you need to not swing as hard because of the judgement you have to make with a ball dropping and coming towards you quickly.