Net Game

[Kabob190]

Alright so i played a tournament today, scores wont be revealed but lets just say that i lost both matches...badly. But guess what? it was worth it because i discovered something today. I LOVE the net game. Every time i came to the net i found myself succesful. Only wish i did it more today, maybe outcomes would have been better.

I used to have really horribly volleys but my coach has been working on those and i didnt think i had improved much on them, but i did. Now im not saying that im an expert serve and volleyer but thats were you guys come into play. How to improve net game? I had no strategy when coming in, i just ran in after hitting a pretty good offensive ground stroke and luckily i had weak replies from opponent. Same with serve, ran in blindly after really good hit serves. What to do to improve volleys? I have a really cheap ball machine that i got for $60. Its a little prince. Should i take that out and hit volley after volley with it? My hand eye coordination isnt that great and same with my reflexes, how to improve those? What are some good pros to watch that have solid net games?

I have another tournament this weekend and thats round robin, im going to play that one with not the intention to win but to test out serve and volley and hitting aproach shots. I want my game to be a combination of an agressive baseliner (what i am right now) and a net player, all court i guess. I have a double handed backhand and a western forehand grip, i know thats not common with net rusher. Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[Koaske]

What are some good pros to watch that have solid net games?

Good volleys: Henman, Murray, Federer...
Not-so-good volleys: Roddick, Nadal...

 

[HyperHorse]

how to improve reflexes...
well... get your ball machine.. station @ baseline.. and crank the speed up to 100%...
stand @ net and volley until u can handle that pace...

 

[papa]

Is your ball machine one of the older Little Prince machines (air & tube jobs like the inexpensive Lobsters) or one of the newer blue wheel machines? Probably doesn't make that much of a difference but you can put the newer ones on milk crates and get a more realistic feed.

Should move to continental (hammer type) grip on both sides and "try" to use just one hand. Two hands at the net can cost you time and flexibiity although some do use it. As you handle balls with more pace, you'll start to see the drawbacks with two hands.

Learn to keep the racquet out in front but get the shoulders turned - little to no swing. Forehand side your wrist should look like they are tied together with a ten inch rope but hands splayed like your going to catch a beach ball. Backhand side, non hitting hand stays on the racquet throat and then goes back as you hit - keep head down and watch strike zone.

Many want to practice being too close to the net (like right on top of it), learn to take the ball around the service line or just inside it also - very important.

 

[dmastous]

I wouldn't suggest you continue your strategy of blindly going in to the net. You said in your post that you were coming off good groundies or good serves. This is more of an all court style than serve/volley. It a good strategy that is more a product of the groundstroke than the volley.
Having said that it's still a good idea to work your way in, but have a plan. Despite the thread saying otherwise the down the line slice approach is most effective to me. It stays low and keeps the angles down.
Some volley drills;
Stand with your back against the fence and have someone feed you volleys. This will keep you from developing too much of a back swing on your stroke.
Use a half court (basically service box to service box) and just hit volleys. Keep the ball down. If one hits a volley up, punish them. Bean 'em if you can (but not too hard).
Understand the angles when approaching the net. Be aware of the angles your opponent can use to pass you. Cover the easiest ones, but be aware of you opponents footwork when hitting his passing shot so you can anticipate where he will hit it.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

I wouldn't suggest you continue your strategy of blindly going in to the net. You said in your post that you were coming off good groundies or good serves. This is more of an all court style than serve/volley. It a good strategy that is more a product of the groundstroke than the volley.
Having said that it's still a good idea to work your way in, but have a plan. Despite the thread saying otherwise the down the line slice approach is most effective to me. It stays low and keeps the angles down.
Some volley drills;
Stand with your back against the fence and have someone feed you volleys. This will keep you from developing too much of a back swing on your stroke.
Use a half court (basically service box to service box) and just hit volleys. Keep the ball down. If one hits a volley up, punish them. Bean 'em if you can (but not too hard).
Understand the angles when approaching the net. Be aware of the angles your opponent can use to pass you. Cover the easiest ones, but be aware of you opponents footwork when hitting his passing shot so you can anticipate where he will hit it.

Totally agree with you here. A net rusher know matter what style they are (S&V, A-C) should have a plan going to net. Either the serve is setting up potentionally different replies so that the S&V can position himself properly or the all-courter needs to select which ball he is going to follow to take a good position at net.

Rushing the net, just to rush, is a recipe to be passed and passed and passed with either a lob or a good groundstroke.

 

[Kabob190]

Thanks for the advice
my little prince is the the older one with the tube and air
i guess im all court then
ill try to come up with some strategies before next tournament, ill work on the down the line shot and ill work on these volley drills
thanks again for the input

 

[BeachTennis]

Work on this

The wall and the ball
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWLvkKWxed4

 

[LuckyR]

If you want to develop faster reflexes, play doubles with people better than you. But I have to agree with the above posts that in singles, it is all about the approach, not the volleys.