How should I approach this kind of shot-net (video)???

[latestgood]

Hi,

How should I approach this shot? When I go to the net, my opponent hits wicked topspin forehand, which falls near my knee level by the time I try to volley it. Another problem I have is that because there's so much topspin, the ball usually pops up by the time I block the shot. Third dilemma is that if I get too close to the net, the opponent lobs the ball. How should I approach this kind of shot? Or do I simply need to improve my volley?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNYaQLhz1gE&feature=youtu.be

 

[S&V Specialist]

You need to hit a better approach shot (the ball you run up to the net after hitting). You want to keep that shot low and pretty deep. Your volley would be improved if you kept your shoulders open to the court instead of pointing at the side fence. Also when you come into the net, it is a good idea to split-step when your opponent starts taking his racquet back.

 

[Lukhas]

Your approach shot is far too neutral. You hit it in the middle of the court without making your opponent move, the ball isn't very low so he can attempt the pass in two times (once to the body, next to the open court). You could've also sliced back and recovered towards the baseline if you didn't feel like going to the net.

If you want to approach using a chip, make a slice that forces your opponent to move and/or that is low enough to ensure your opponent won't rip a passing shot in your feet. Slice it DLT or sharply cross-court, but not in the middle. When you did so, put yourself facing your opponent so you don't leave the DTL pass wide open and make them try to pass cross-court.
EDIT:
See this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ-SL5l8oyE

 

[LeeD]

1. CC approach shots, especially to the forehand side, is plain STUPID.
2. Learn to drop volley all volleys lower than waist high.
3. Only the dumb approach to a strong forehand side.
4. You approach shot is short and weak. Weak is OK, but short is not.

 

[Mikeplaystenniss]

So you've heard about your approach, so now your volleys. You are standing a few feet within the service line for ever single volley. After you hit an approach shot, you should begin to close the net more. And after every volley, more and more. You shouldn't be hitting TOO many at net, because you need to finish the point at net. But typically, the closer you are to the net...the easier the volley. So always be looking to more forward.

 

[Cheetah]

... also it shouldn't take you 7 steps to get to split step position from hitting an approach from inside the baseline. it should take 3-5. And 5 is probably too many.

 

[Timbo's hopeless slice]

and don't take the volley so late, get your hands in front of you and hit it out there..

 

[NLBwell]

Get better at hitting overheads and moving back for overheads so that you are never afraid of lobs.

 

[RetroSpin]

Some good advice about better approaches, but you asked about the volley.

A low dipping ball is always goign to be a tough volley. You have get down to it and meet it out front if possible. You have three basic choices. You can go for a drop volley, you can try to push it back deep or you can go for a sharp angle.

Your form could be a lot better. None of the volleys in the video would bother a good volleyer. The first one, the FH, you hit it beside your body, not in front. You could have put that one away. The second one, the BH, you hit almost behind your body, even though it wasn't all that tough.

There are plenty of good youtube vids of good volleying. Basically, you need to bend more, get your contact position more forward, which will require a bentback wrist on the FH, and also close on the net when the ball is coming slowly toward you.

 

[dknotty]

3. Only the dumb approach to a strong forehand side.

Even if its an open court?

Also, regarding cross court approaches, isn't it a sound strategy to approach the net if you've hit a deep and hard drive to the forehand corner that puts your opponent under serious pressure?

 

[LeeD]

DKnotty....
YES.
If your approach shot is as weak as OP's, soft and short NML to the center of the court, at least hit it to the backhand side EVERY time.
And to hit a CC approach to someone's topspin forehand is just suicide, the kind Roddick did when he was playing 4 years ago, always LOSING the point due to a stupid CC approach.
1. Don't hit CC approach's.
2. Hit every approach within 2' of the baseline, or expect to lose the point.
3. Aim most approach's to the backhand side.
4. DUH, if the opponent has fallen down, lost his racket, you can hit to his forehand side on your approach.

 

[10isfreak]

Many answers here seem to speak about the same stuff... they're pretty textbook tips and they're really straight forward to apply.

To add to these comment, let me briefly explain the concept of "pressure" in tennis. In a very broad sense, pressure refers to a sense of compulsion, of necessity; in tennis, being "under pressure" refers to this feeling one has that he ought to perform to a certain level in order to avoid a likely failure.

That's what you have to keep in mind when making an appoach shot... you want your opponent to feel like he's got to go for a big shot to just stay in the rally. People talk about your approach shot... it's true that high quality approaches make it hard for your opppnent to pass you, but how you generally perform at the net also counts. If you set up a few good volley put aways with great approaches, you risk to need a much less imposing approach shot to win the next points -- your opponent might go for too much, believing you are a volley magician.

 

[LeeD]

Also, net play is about ending the point!
So, you can also LOSE the point.
So, you try to have short term memory. You commit to net play, knowing the overall percentages throughout a match is in your favor, you WILL get passed, you WILL get lobbed successfully, and you WILL miss a few volleys. But overall, the points favor you.
If you doubt this, don't play net!

 

[FoxHound]

I think you need to be more aggressive with your volleys. From that video it seemed like you were just trying to get the ball back. Make the other guy move, use angles when you get up there.

are you guys just hitting or were you playing points? I know when I'm rallying sometimes I play a short up the middle and follow just to keep the rally going and when I follow it into the net the other guy (for some reason) just really wants to pass me.

 

[5point5]

Try hitting a good volley.