First Volley Position When Serving and Volleying in Doubles

[TnsGuru]

Now that I have gotten older it seems like when I serve and volley in doubles or singles sometimes, I used to feel that I must get my first volley from inside the service line or closer. This is a big mistake, charging in on the first volley to make contact this close to the net puts you in a vulnerable position.

I had a doubles lesson recently and the coach asked why I tried to get in so fast after my serve and I said, "isn't that what S/V tennis is?" "Not really" he replied, just try not to rush in so quickly and strike your first volley back from a deeper position and then move your way in works better.

Ever since then, I have been S/V more often in doubles and not geting burned by the low fast returns that I encounter when I tried to volley from inside the service line right away. For all who plays doubles and S/V does this work for you?

 

[LeeD]

Depends how strong returns are and how effective you can volley from all positions.

 

[Cashman]

I mean, closer IS better - just not if it comes at the expense of volleying in a comfortable and balanced position. Edberg consistently hit his first volleys from on or inside the service line, and the angles it gave him were a huge reason for his success. Unfortunately very few of us serve like Edberg.

Personally I just concentrate on quickly following the path of my serve, then stutter-step as my opponent makes contact with the return. My physical location on the court is just a result of that process, and it tends to vary a bit.

 

[andreh]

Generally, a slower but controlled and balanced approach is preferable to a faster, uncontrolled and unbalanced approach. Consistantly hitting your first volley at or inside the service line isn't a realistic proposition for a rec player. This is probably what your coach meant.

 

[Dragy]

You definitely need to split-step as the opponent makes contact, which determines how far you can get into court initially. The be ready to move forward again and make a volley moving forward, once you recognize incoming ball.

 

[travlerajm]

Now that I have gotten older it seems like when I serve and volley in doubles or singles sometimes, I used to feel that I must get my first volley from inside the service line or closer. This is a big mistake, charging in on the first volley to make contact this close to the net puts you in a vulnerable position.

I had a doubles lesson recently and the coach asked why I tried to get in so fast after my serve and I said, "isn't that what S/V tennis is?" "Not really" he replied, just try not to rush in so quickly and strike your first volley back from a deeper position and then move your way in works better.

Ever since then, I have been S/V more often in doubles and not geting burned by the low fast returns that I encounter when I tried to volley from inside the service line right away. For all who plays doubles and S/V does this work for you?

I find just the opposite. I have most success serving and volleying when I can make contact from inside the service line. Tossing the ball a few feet inside the court gives you a head start. I use a lot of slower really spinny serves in doubles to give me more time to get in.

 

[J011yroger]

Get as close as you can without being unbalanced or unprepared. Most rec players take their first two steps too slow and then try to make up for it arriving unbalanced.

J

 

[Cashman]

Most rec players take their first two steps too slow and then try to make up for it arriving unbalanced.

Yes, this is a definite problem. A lot of players aren’t used to getting their body moving forward naturally out of the service motion.

 

[Friedman Whip]

Ever since then, I have been S/V more often in doubles and not geting burned by the low fast returns that I encounter when I tried to volley from inside the service line right away. For all who plays doubles and S/V does this work for you?

So what now happens when you get those low fast returns? You end up hitting them back with half volleys?

 

[TnsGuru]

So what now happens when you get those low fast returns? You end up hitting them back with half volleys?

I guess what I'm trying to say is that it shouldn't be your only priority to get inside the service line. Deeper court volleys need to be solid so you can get in closer to the net. Also depends on the serve I use. If I use 3/4 speed kick serve I can get in tight but if I use my faster serve and they read it well it comes back with pace and low. If I slice serve and jam the returner the returns aren't as solid and tend to float higher.

 

[Friedman Whip]

I guess what I'm trying to say is that it shouldn't be your only priority to get inside the service line. Deeper court volleys need to be solid so you can get in closer to the net. Also depends on the serve I use. If I use 3/4 speed kick serve I can get in tight but if I use my faster serve and they read it well it comes back with pace and low. If I slice serve and jam the returner the returns aren't as solid and tend to float higher.

Right. Unfortunately the faster you hit the serve the faster it can come back at you.