Junior Serve and Volley

gallen1999

Rookie
I love to play at the net, I am always improving my serve and net games. I play doubles with the other juniors and none of them serve and volley. I usually end up casually watching balls fly cross court for ages. As a serve and volleyer this seems like boring tennis to me. I was wondering how you guys play doubles and how you end these huge baseline rallies in doubles.
 

Dolgopolov85

G.O.A.T.
Just roll the dice and slice. You could maybe also take a forecourt position and try to poach...cut off even a slightly floating groundstroke in the air with a volley. From the baseline, as I said, you need to slice to break the pattern. And you need to be able to keep the slice low so that it dies down on them before they can get to it. This will force them forward. Usually, if they are glued to the baseline, they won't use their feet and will try to reach for the slice producing a weak groundstroke which could then give you the opportunity to get to the net and finish the point. You often find top players hitting a slice and sneaking into the net when they sense the opponent is not going to attack the slice. Fed especially but I have noticed Nole do this once or twice lately too. Don't go for drops because they will see you going for it after a while and simply run it down.

From the point of view of S&V, I was watching highlights of an old Mardy Fish match the other day where he dragged Nole to 3 sets in 2011 and Fish often shortened the length of his volleys. When the volley is deep, then the opponent has a good look at the pass as long as he gets to the ball. A short volley (NOT a drop, mind you) forces the opponent to come forward and maybe they will only manage a chip. This puts the volleyer in a position of strength to finish (rather than having to fend off a strong passing shot).
 

SystemicAnomaly

Bionic Poster
When you are at the net, you should not be "casually watching balls fly cross court". You should be constantly on the move -- forward/back, left/right. You shouldn't be a static net player -- don't camp out close to the alley, too far back or too close to the net. Try to impose yourself in those rallies by poaching or threatening to poach. Poach fakes can be quite effective if used judiciously.

When your baseline partner is returning the ball, back up somewhat toward the back service line. The immediate threat is the opposing net players. If your partner's shot get past the opposing net player, move in toward the middle of the box (not too close to the net -- don't want to make it too easy for the other team to lob you). If you partner's ball is a wide x-court shot, shift your position somewhat to cover the alley. If, not the position yourself closer to the middle of the box so that you are in a better position to poach. Check out this doubles wisdom from the Bryan brothers:

http://www.tennisviewmag.com/tennis...ting-partner-doubles-should-help-dictate-play
 
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gallen1999

Rookie
Great tips guys. When I am serving or returning I always charge the net. About poaching, I try to a lot but the ground strokes are usually to far wide and land around the singles sideline almost every time. Sometimes I will try so hard to hit their ground strokes that I will put myself out of position and they will burn me down the line.
 

gallen1999

Rookie
I guess I should make a more full committed poach when I play, rather than just moving closer to the centre of the court to cut off a short ball.
 

Dolgopolov85

G.O.A.T.
^^^ Yeah, for doubles, you will have to really close down the net. But then, for that strategy to work, you need good communication with and co-operation from your partner. He should be able to cover you if you decide to pass.
 

Chas Tennis

G.O.A.T.
This video has some volley technique information. Learn especially what Brett Hobden calls "loosing the collision" for drop volleys. Watch Pro volleys and see 'loosing the collision' all the time as the racket head deflects backwards.

Click "Youtube" to view.
 
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SystemicAnomaly

Bionic Poster
... you need good communication with and co-operation from your partner...

Absolutely. If your partner insists on staying back, they should play shots to set you up at the net. If you cut across to cut off a x-court exchange, your partner should move over to cover the other side. Ditto if a lob goes over your head. If your partner serves up the middle, more than serving out wide, it should be it easier for you to poach some serve returns.

It is also helpful if your partner gets some solid 1st serves into play. While, 50-60% first serves IN for singles might be ok, it is best to get a least 2/3 of 1st serves into play. It is usually more difficult to poach if your partner is putting in weak 2nd serves.
 

Cullin Kin

Rookie
I love to play at the net, I am always improving my serve and net games. I play doubles with the other juniors and none of them serve and volley. I usually end up casually watching balls fly cross court for ages. As a serve and volleyer this seems like boring tennis to me. I was wondering how you guys play doubles and how you end these huge baseline rallies in doubles.

You're like me! Except I play singles. I've been out of juniors for a year now and I can assure you it gets no more exciting. Everyone is a baseliner these days. Have you thought about singles? It allows you to play your game and wreak havoc on a lot of baseliners timing. :D
 

SystemicAnomaly

Bionic Poster
... About poaching, I try to a lot but the ground strokes are usually to far wide and land around the singles sideline almost every time. Sometimes I will try so hard to hit their ground strokes that I will put myself out of position and they will burn me down the line.

See if you can get your partner to hit some balls deep and somewhat inside the singles side line (yet keep the opposing net player from making a play on the ball). That may (or may not) making it more difficult to burn you DTL).

You may be going too early, if your opponent is burning you DTL. In many situations, you should wait until they are just starting (or about to start) their forward swing. If you start earlier than that, they can change the direction of the ball on you more easily.


As soon as it appears that you will be crossing the mid-line to cut off the x-court rally, you partner should be heading to cover the other side. He should not wait for you to call switch. He should be able to see you make the move. When you do cross that mid-line, do not be tempted to cross back. You partner will not have enough time to go back -- they have further to go.
 

gallen1999

Rookie
You're like me! Except I play singles. I've been out of juniors for a year now and I can assure you it gets no more exciting. Everyone is a baseliner these days. Have you thought about singles? It allows you to play your game and wreak havoc on a lot of baseliners timing. :D
I do play singles, I usually play the attacking baseline role with occasional serve and volley. This is because my serve still needs work. As my serve is getting better I am serve and volleying more and more. I often use the 1 2 3 play of serve then approach then volley put away, or serve then first volley then volley put away.
 
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