Proper ready position stance at the net?

[time_fly]

There are a ton of videos out there about how to hold the racquet in the ready position for volleys, but less about the ready stance. I've been taught the ready stance where the chest is leaning forwards and out over the toes. Of course the feet are spread and knees are bent in an "athletic position" as well. I've seen this demonstrated by many teaching pros and the idea is to keep the weight and balance primed to move forward. But I am starting to think this position really slows me when going for high balls or when having to drop back for a lob. I think more actual playing pros are closer to upright at the net with their upper bodies, and they are just low and wide wide with their feet. That way they are more balanced to move in any direction. Thoughts?

 

[time_fly]

Just to clarify:

Random teaching pro showing a forward-leaning ready position:

Roger Federer in a more relaxed, neutral-looking ready position:

 

[socallefty]

Whatever your ready position, the idea is that it allows you to take a quick split-step when the opponent hits the ball and you will move your feet based on the direction and quality of shot hit by your partner. If your partners hits a good shot down the middle, you take a step forward towards the middle. If your partner hits a weak shot wide in front of you, you take a step wide and possibly diagonally back if you are playing players who lob a lot. You spilt-step and start moving before you even see what shot the opponent hits to possibly poach or cover the lob or pass down the line. So, all you have to worry about is standing in such a way where you can split-step quickly - for athletic players with strong legs, they might like being low with feet wider apart while others might like to stand more upright with feet closed together. The non-negotiable part is to have the racquet ready.

Also, many players stand slightly sideways to have their dominant eye in front so that they can pick up the opponent‘s shot in their vision quicker.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

There are a ton of videos out there about how to hold the racquet in the ready position for volleys, but less about the ready stance. I've been taught the ready stance where the chest is leaning forwards and out over the toes. Of course the feet are spread and knees are bent in an "athletic position" as well. I've seen this demonstrated by many teaching pros and the idea is to keep the weight and balance primed to move forward. But I am starting to think this position really slows me when going for high balls or when having to drop back for a lob. I think more actual playing pros are closer to upright at the net with their upper bodies, and they are just low and wide wide with their feet. That way they are more balanced to move in any direction. Thoughts?

I'm leaning [no pun intended] towards the same view as you but maybe it's not an "either/or" answer but a situational one. I probably don't use the same ready stance for every situation.

For example, I'm playing doubles, my partner's serving, and he's got a good serve so I'm expecting a weak return. I'd probably be more upright and looking to attack, not worried about a lob; that's my partner's ball.

Compare that with we're receiving and the opposing net man is poaching my partner's return and I'm about to get lit up. I'd be more crouched and looking to defend.

Perhaps the reason the stance demonstrated by so many coaches is because they know the average person would otherwise stand straight up with no readiness whatsoever so maybe they exaggerate it a bit?

Also, notice that Fed is biased towards the BH, which to me makes sense since the BH volley will be able to cover more than 50% due to shoulder mechanics.

 

[Slicerman]

I use the Federer ready position for volleys. I think most pros and advanced players use this method. One key aspect of this method is that you can defend against body shots easier, which is crucial against players who hit with any decent pace. You can also handle wide backhand volleys quicker too.

I think the leaning forward center-aligned racquet position is mainly taught to people at the beginner and recreational level because its straight-forward (no pun intended) and more intuitive to learn (eg. covers backhand and forehand sides equally). One time an older player at the court who I was rallying with was very insistent for me to try this method, but in my opinion its not comfortable or natural feeling, almost feels forced and feels very vulnerable to body shots.

 

[ptuanminh]

Just to clarify:

Random teaching pro showing a forward-leaning ready position:

Roger Federer in a more relaxed, neutral-looking ready position:

Thats how he stand in practice. In real double match:

 

[Mountain Ghost]

Volley Ready Position Posture ... ... ... UPRIGHT is Best! Not only can you turn to either side (or back up) immediately and still remain ON BALANCE ... but you can more easily get your shoulders away from balls that might jam you.

You may naturally lean a bit forward as you approach the net ... but NOT after you get there ... or after any required split-step.

This vertical upper body rotational axis applies as the DEFAULT desired posture for pretty much EVERY stroke in tennis. Though positioning and timing issues unique to volleys may force more ("forgivable") variance than on groundstrokes.

~ MG