Net Play Drills

[rob-tennis]

Hi all,

I started playing tennis about 3 years ago and this summer have worked my way into our men’s A Team (doubles). Happy days.

I’ve got a solid serve, baseline and mid-court game but when I’m at the net I fall to pieces.

Watching others they seem so calm and to have plenty of time. I seem to be very twitchy… I’ve had a few sessions with our club coach to develop the technical skill (I can do it) but in matches I feel it disappears.

So… how can I practice and get better for next season? We’ve got a practice wall, and I’ve got some hitting partners who would fire balls at me. Does anyone have any good tips or videos for drills etc?

Many thanks
Rob

 

[nyta2]

stuff i do/did...
forced myself to s&v, c&c in singles and doubles
volley volley rallies (eg. like bryan bro "around the world" drill)
partner feeds... we will even intentionally feed "sitters" to train reaction vollesy
attack/defender volley games (basically try to hit each other while advancing from svcLine)
i think have a decent volleys, but i actually don't like practicing on the wall (doesn't feel "real"), but i can't argue with the success of cara black, and the crazy demo of her volleying fast on the wall (which i can't do... so maybe i do need more wall volley practice)

 

[10sbeast888]

Hi all,

I started playing tennis about 3 years ago and this summer have worked my way into our men’s A Team (doubles). Happy days.

I’ve got a solid serve, baseline and mid-court game but when I’m at the net I fall to pieces.

Watching others they seem so calm and to have plenty of time. I seem to be very twitchy… I’ve had a few sessions with our club coach to develop the technical skill (I can do it) but in matches I feel it disappears.

So… how can I practice and get better for next season? We’ve got a practice wall, and I’ve got some hitting partners who would fire balls at me. Does anyone have any good tips or videos for drills etc?

Many thanks
Rob

likely just need more experience and better technique.

if you have a wall - you should be able to practice volleys on the wall, say make at least 20 volleys in a row, without dropping the ball to the ground.

if you cannot do this drill, there is a technique issue.

 

[Friedman Whip]

The secrets are the correct grip and the correct footwork. From there it's just practice. And it helps if you have played some other sports and have some athletic abilities and aren't a klutz.

 

[ErrorMachine]

stuff i do/did...
forced myself to s&v, c&c in singles and doubles
volley volley rallies (eg. like bryan bro "around the world" drill)
partner feeds... we will even intentionally feed "sitters" to train reaction vollesy
attack/defender volley games (basically try to hit each other while advancing from svcLine)
i think have a decent volleys, but i actually don't like practicing on the wall (doesn't feel "real"), but i can't argue with the success of cara black, and the crazy demo of her volleying fast on the wall (which i can't do... so maybe i do need more wall volley practice)

I'm not the OP but in a similar situation with my net game. Thank you for taking the time to give practical advice

 

[Injured Again]

Hi all,

I started playing tennis about 3 years ago and this summer have worked my way into our men’s A Team (doubles). Happy days.

I’ve got a solid serve, baseline and mid-court game but when I’m at the net I fall to pieces.

Watching others they seem so calm and to have plenty of time. I seem to be very twitchy… I’ve had a few sessions with our club coach to develop the technical skill (I can do it) but in matches I feel it disappears.

So… how can I practice and get better for next season? We’ve got a practice wall, and I’ve got some hitting partners who would fire balls at me. Does anyone have any good tips or videos for drills etc?

Many thanks
Rob

What happens to your volleys in matches? Do you mis-hit them? Do you hit them in the net or long? What do you notice about your volley form in practice versus in a match?