Rec S&V on clay [video]

[navigator]

I've been working on my S&V a lot. It's getting better but I still (1) meander toward the net after my serve instead of sprinting forward, and (2) don't sufficiently crash the net after my first volley to cut off my opponent's angle. So, my positioning still needs work.

Anyhow, an arseload of very short points (in Zapruder-approved video format):
https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cFVe1gonB1

(I couldn't find any meaningful rec-level S&V video on the site... odd)

 

[jm1980]

I've been working on my S&V a lot. It's getting better but I still (1) meander toward the net after my serve instead of sprinting forward, and (2) don't sufficiently crash the net after my first volley to cut off my opponent's angle. So, my positioning still needs work.

Anyhow, an arseload of very short points (in Zapruder-approved video format):
https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cFVe1gonB1

(I couldn't find any meaningful rec-level S&V video on the site... odd)

Are you playing a junior?

 

[IowaGuy]

I've been working on my S&V a lot. It's getting better but I still (1) meander toward the net after my serve instead of sprinting forward, and (2) don't sufficiently crash the net after my first volley to cut off my opponent's angle. So, my positioning still needs work.

You have some nice looking volleys there! Constructive criticism on your positioning:

One thing I notice is that the majority of your first volleys are quite a bit behind the service line. Not sure how much you're interested/willing to work on the serve portion of your S&V, but I think you have some room for improvement with your motion, which could get you closer to the service line for that 1st volley.

Your foot is generally landing behind the baseline after serving. Compare to S&V such as Mac and Edberg, who, even in their middle-age, land well in front of the baseline and hit most of their 1st volleys at or inside the service line. I can't tell from the angle of your video, but a service toss that is more into the court might get you to land more into the court, and hit your 1st volley closer to the service line, which should help you hit fewer volleys/half-volleys at your feet. Your current service toss/motion isn't getting your momentum into the court and towards the net, which is a common trait of all excellent S&V that I know of. Anyway, you might try tossing another foot or two into the court, to see how that might change the position of your 1st volley...

 

[SinjinCooper]

Just when I think I know what to expect, you pluck a fierce return off your shoelaces and backhand it to the corner with depth and authority.

When the tennis gods return to earth, they too will S&V. It is known.

 

[J011yroger]

Great vid!

J

 

[navigator]

Anyway, you might try tossing another foot or two into the court, to see how that might change the position of your 1st volley...

Great observation and good advice. The sad part is that it "feels" like I'm tossing the ball well into the court while I'm serving, but when I watch the video... clearly it ain't so (thank you video!). So, I've gotta really force my toss out there into the court and see where that gets me. I notice that guys like McEnroe, Edberg, etc were a good 2-3 feet into the court back in their primes and now... they still get about a foot in on the serve. That, combined with greater "intent" in moving toward the net after the serve, puts them 2-3 feet in front of where I end up hitting (or trying to hit) my first volley. So, I have to work on both my toss and my intent.

 

[navigator]

Are you playing a junior?

No, that's a very small woman in her late-20s. She almost cracked the WTA top-500 a few years back and got as high as 11 in the NCAA D1 rankings in college. Now she's perpetually rusty as she only plays competitive tennis a couple of times a week. Fortunately she lives down the street from me so we play at least once a week.

 

[Deleted member 23235]

You have some nice looking volleys there! Constructive criticism on your positioning:

One thing I notice is that the majority of your first volleys are quite a bit behind the service line. Not sure how much you're interested/willing to work on the serve portion of your S&V, but I think you have some room for improvement with your motion, which could get you closer to the service line for that 1st volley.

Your foot is generally landing behind the baseline after serving. Compare to S&V such as Mac and Edberg, who, even in their middle-age, land well in front of the baseline and hit most of their 1st volleys at or inside the service line. I can't tell from the angle of your video, but a service toss that is more into the court might get you to land more into the court, and hit your 1st volley closer to the service line, which should help you hit fewer volleys/half-volleys at your feet. Your current service toss/motion isn't getting your momentum into the court and towards the net, which is a common trait of all excellent S&V that I know of. Anyway, you might try tossing another foot or two into the court, to see how that might change the position of your 1st volley...

+1 on assessment...
similar thought, is that you serve that way because you're a counter puncher who doesn't typically win free points on serves, so you're in the habit of "get the serve in, then get ready to start counter punching from behind the baseline"... at least i used to do that.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

I've been working on my S&V a lot. It's getting better but I still (1) meander toward the net after my serve instead of sprinting forward, and (2) don't sufficiently crash the net after my first volley to cut off my opponent's angle. So, my positioning still needs work.

The more powerful your engine, the better your brakes need to be.

Yes, you could sprint more but will you be able to arrest your forward momentum and get into a balanced position? Your opponent clearly has the ability to place her returns and if you try to omit the split step and just get as close to the net as possible, I think you'll get passed more. As it is, she made you volley from some difficult stretched positions.

I have the same issue as you: I could probably get another 2 steps into the net if I really pushed myself.

Anyways, nicely done.

 

[Chadillac]

I've been working on my S&V a lot. It's getting better but I still (1) meander toward the net after my serve instead of sprinting forward, and (2) don't sufficiently crash the net after my first volley to cut off my opponent's angle. So, my positioning still needs work.

Anyhow, an arseload of very short points (in Zapruder-approved video format):
https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cFVe1gonB1

(I couldn't find any meaningful rec-level S&V video on the site... odd)

Your motion is like kevin currens. Looking good

 

[Attila_the_gorilla]

Very impressed with your serve, navigator. I don't remember it being this good in previous videos.

 

[Deleted member 23235]

I've been working on my S&V a lot. It's getting better but I still (1) meander toward the net after my serve instead of sprinting forward, and (2) don't sufficiently crash the net after my first volley to cut off my opponent's angle. So, my positioning still needs work.

Anyhow, an arseload of very short points (in Zapruder-approved video format):
https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cFVe1gonB1

(I couldn't find any meaningful rec-level S&V video on the site... odd)

couple other thoughts about your comments...
1) regarding meandering vs. sprinting forward...
a) when i first started s&v'ing i found it difficult to volley while on the move forward, maybe because i was so used to stop-hit-recover type movements... alot of stuff is going on when volleying on the move... head might be boucing everywhere. you still might be finding your ideal contact (matched with your ideal backswing, etc... so i definitely meandered in more in the beginning, than i do now... most folks practice their volleys standing still already at the net ("block volley practice")... then don't realize that it's a completely different feel/sensitivity when volleying while moving forward (typically need to soften your hands more to compensate for the forward motion - good news is that you can take a smaller backswing). keep at it, you get better with time.
b) there's nothing wrong with taking the volley well before the service line... sampras routinely volleyed in NML (vs. at the service line)... granted he was serving 120mph to someone returning with interest... point is that there's no need to rush. and there's no need to be at a certain position (ie. service line)... just move as fast as you can with control, and improve from there you're better off volleying from further back, as long as you're in control of your body.

2) crashing net after first volley...
you're probably thinking you need to crash, because your opponent was hitting mostly hard passing shots... but if you just crash the net, you're very susceptible to getting lobbed. you definitely need to position (and continue to reposition) yourself such that you can backup for a lob, and/or move forward for a volley (which is probably not gonna be on top of the net, but maybe 2/3 of the way from the net to the service line).... of course, once you decide they are not hitting a lob, you should be closing forward (reading the opponents racquet gets better over time: ie. recognizing small tells in their setup)... then reposition to 2/3 (presume they will get it back)

other:
good job split stepping on the way in... took me a long time to figure that one out...
some nice pickups from your shoelaces at the service line
on shots you're not sure of, try guessing based on their prep... you did on some shots, but others you just froze (you'll get better at guessing right over time by recognizing tells in their setup)
overall some really great volleys...

 

[J011yroger]

The more powerful your engine, the better your brakes need to be.

Yes, you could sprint more but will you be able to arrest your forward momentum and get into a balanced position? Your opponent clearly has the ability to place her returns and if you try to omit the split step and just get as close to the net as possible, I think you'll get passed more. As it is, she made you volley from some difficult stretched positions.

I have the same issue as you: I could probably get another 2 steps into the net if I really pushed myself.

Anyways, nicely done.

Good points. One of the first coaches to ever help me with S&V many years ago told me a key thing the mature S&V player needs to learn is that preparation trumps real estate, ie. you are better off further back and prepared to hit the ball than closer to the net and rushing or reaching.

He is the same coach who told me that slowing down can be more effective than speeding up when you are hitting the volley too low; let it bounce, hit your half volley and keep closing.

My current coach says I need much better brakes.

J

 

[santiago_rios]

Your daughter is very good player, good control of racquet face.
Useful to commit to the S&V before serving, to push off left leg quickly and get the extra step to the net fast.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

Good points. One of the first coaches to ever help me with S&V many years ago told me a key thing the mature S&V player needs to learn is that preparation trumps real estate, ie. you are better off further back and prepared to hit the ball than closer to the net and rushing or reaching.

He is the same coach who told me that slowing down can be more effective than speeding up when you are hitting the volley too low; let it bounce, hit your half volley and keep closing.

My current coach says I need much better brakes.

J

I'm 100% in agreement that I'd rather be balanced and further away than closer and out of balance.

Interesting observation about slowing down since us net crashers normally think only in terms of closing quickly. For me, my problem tends to be that I slow down and attempt to hit a HV when I really should have kept moving and hit a volley. Rarely is it the other way around.

I've got good brakes but they're not the anti-lock type.

 

[Nostradamus]

I've been working on my S&V a lot. It's getting better but I still (1) meander toward the net after my serve instead of sprinting forward, and (2) don't sufficiently crash the net after my first volley to cut off my opponent's angle. So, my positioning still needs work.

Anyhow, an arseload of very short points (in Zapruder-approved video format):
https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cFVe1gonB1

(I couldn't find any meaningful rec-level S&V video on the site... odd)

on Clay courts, use more kick serve or American twist when serve and volleying,, you will get much higher easier volley to deal with on 1st volley. Also it will give you more time to get closer inside the service line to hit that 1st volley.

 

[J011yroger]

I'm 100% in agreement that I'd rather be balanced and further away than closer and out of balance.

Interesting observation about slowing down since us net crashers normally think only in terms of closing quickly. For me, my problem tends to be that I slow down and attempt to hit a HV when I really should have kept moving and hit a volley. Rarely is it the other way around.

I've got good brakes but they're not the anti-lock type.

The key about the slowing down was the recognition as early as possible, hopefully at the split step, if you would be able to hit a quality volley and decide to burst forward or slow and half volley. We all know what happens when your racquet, the ball, and the ground meet at the same time.

When he says I need better brakes, that's with regard to recovery on wide balls at the baseline or passing shots at net I need to reach for.

J

 

[J011yroger]

on Clay courts, use more kick serve or American twist when serve and volleying,, you will get much higher easier volley to deal with on 1st volley. Also it will give you more time to get closer inside the service line to hit that 1st volley.

Where did you read that? The close cover before striking school of tennis?

J

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

The key about the slowing down was the recognition as early as possible, hopefully at the split step, if you would be able to hit a quality volley and decide to burst forward or slow and half volley. We all know what happens when your racquet, the ball, and the ground meet at the same time.

When he says I need better brakes, that's with regard to recovery on wide balls at the baseline or passing shots at net I need to reach for.

J

Something must not be calibrated internally because I *think* I should slow down to hit a HV and then the ball gets behind me and I end up with a ridiculously difficult HV rather than a much easier volley if I had taken one more step forward. Just one more thing to drill.

 

[Nostradamus]

Where did you read that? The close cover before striking school of tennis?

J

Not sure what you mean by read ?? This is what I was taught when I was at summer camp at IMG academy. and I employ this tactic even in hard courts at times and it worked great even when I was playing college tennis way back when.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

on Clay courts, use more kick serve or American twist when serve and volleying,, you will get much higher easier volley to deal with on 1st volley. Also it will give you more time to get closer inside the service line to hit that 1st volley.

I'd love to "use more kick" but, unfortunately, the amount I typically use is all I got. I don't have another gear for upshifting.

In my experience, the better opponents [high 4.5 and up] know how to chip my return so that I'm volleying off of my shoelaces. My serve just isn't good enough to handcuff them. But I get a lot of practice at shoelace-height volleys!

 

[Chadillac]

My current coach says I need much better brakes.

J

Probably because you play on clay. Gotta have really good stoppage on clay, like Nav. You slide a bit foreward instead of sideways, its a weird recovery position and you have to hit a volley. Gotta be half a second faster.

Not sure what you mean by read ?? This is what I was taught when I was at summer camp at IMG academy. and I employ this tactic even in hard courts at times and it worked great even when I was playing college tennis way back when.

Edberg and rafter used this. They were probably in the juniors when you learned it though Your coach was ahead of his times

 

[DNShade]

Actually very good S&V stuff there my good man. It's all about doing it over and over and not getting put off when you get passed. Just keep going for it and keep asking the question of your oppenent. You know all this already - was just saying you are doing quite well.

One thing that a few others did mention is the whole getting "out of the blocks" faster on the serve thing to get in closer for that all important first volley etc. Edberg, Mac and Rafter were all superb with that. As someone who pattered his style of play in the that vein I can tell you that it's a combination of mindset and then adapting your motion to get the job done. Yes - you need to get that toss more into the court - and you seem to have a good serve motion to take advantage of this already so the toss move shouldn't be a problem at all.

But the hardest thing is the mindset change. One really needs to think about the serve part of S&V as basically hitting the serve on your way to the net. Not - serve - then head to net. Of course that is obvious - but it's something that is hard to really implement. I even find myself having to have to remind myself of it when I haven't played in a bit or just been drilling for a while - and I'm a lifelong S&V guy. It so easy to just fall back into thinking about the serve and not about it as part of a bigger whole. Edberg was the master of this. Seemed like he made contact with his serve halfway to the service line!

So enough of the sounding like I know it all BS. Good work and keep at it.

 

[StringSnapper]

Nice play! The world needs more s&v

 

[navigator]

Your daughter is very good player, good control of racquet face.
Useful to commit to the S&V before serving, to push off left leg quickly and get the extra step to the net fast.

She's not my daughter... agree with the rest.

 

[navigator]

But the hardest thing is the mindset change. One really needs to think about the serve part of S&V as basically hitting the serve on your way to the net. Not - serve - then head to net. Of course that is obvious - but it's something that is hard to really implement. I even find myself having to have to remind myself of it when I haven't played in a bit or just been drilling for a while - and I'm a lifelong S&V guy. It so easy to just fall back into thinking about the serve and not about it as part of a bigger whole. Edberg was the master of this. Seemed like he made contact with his serve halfway to the service line!

Yeah, I think that's a critical issue. Even though I know I'm going to the net I'm still thinking, well get that serve moving and let's head to net, instead of, get to the net and while you're at it throw in a serve. I gotta move to the latter way of thinking.

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

One really needs to think about the serve part of S&V as basically hitting the serve on your way to the net. Not - serve - then head to net.

Trying to teach someone to S&V requires them to adapt to this idea. Many people want to see how good their serve was before heading to the net [at which time it's too late if you've decided not come in when you could have had an easy volley]; I think this is due to not wanting to get passed at all costs rather than risking it. Sort of like hugging the alley in doubles when at net to avoid getting passed DTL even if it means giving up more points in the middle. You can get people to understand this concept but getting them to act on it is a different kettle of fish.

 

[navigator]

Your motion is like kevin currens. Looking good

Perhaps a bit, yes... minus about 50 mph! Ha! Curren really threw his body into the court. But I do see where you're coming from. My motion might be a little more funkified than his.

Very impressed with your serve, navigator. I don't remember it being this good in previous videos.

Thanks, I've been working on it. I think the main issue is when I'm doing S&V I'm a little more aware of needing to hit a better serve so I put a little more effort in. When I know I'm staying back, and especially on clay, I can get a little... lazy... and just plunk it in.

 

[navigator]

... it worked great even when I was playing college tennis way back when.

So, seriously, you wanted to be on the TT 4.5 team - you explicitly stated as much in the thread - and all you have to do is send your name to schmke... and despite repeated urgings to do so you still haven't done it. Nor do you respond to the multiple posts urging it. What gives? Someone could get the impression you're trying to hide something...

 

[Old Skool Graphite]

Potato-quality vid in 2018 is a crime against humanity.

 

[navigator]

Potato-quality vid in 2018 is a crime against humanity.

All of my videos are homages (in quality), albeit unintentional, to Nastase v Ash, c. 1972

I am, however, prepared to defend myself at the Nuremberg Internet Video Crimes Against Humanity trials. I plead "not guilty" on the grounds of incompetence and laziness. Oh, and indifference.

As I prepare for my trial, could you point me in the direction of your videos? I may never produce a decent video... but I like to seek inspiration from others' unparalleled brilliance. Will you please inspire me?

 

[Attila_the_gorilla]

Navigator, why do you use that screencast site to host your videos? Is it better than Youtube?

 

[navigator]

Navigator, why do you use that screencast site to host your videos? Is it better than Youtube?

It's clearly not better! Ha! I don't know how to download to youtube or use any other video hosting site. And I don't know how to edit videos and I'm not that interested in learning. A friend of mine suggested screencast-o-matic because it's so easy to use that even a tech idiot like me can use it. The negative is you lose a generation of quality - kinda like making a cassette tape of a cassette tape. But it's *just* barely good enough for me not to care, so... I revert back to laziness.

 

[Attila_the_gorilla]

It's clearly not better! Ha! I don't know how to download to youtube or use any other video hosting site. And I don't know how to edit videos and I'm not that interested in learning. A friend of mine suggested screencast-o-matic because it's so easy to use that even a tech idiot like me can use it. The negative is you lose a generation of quality - kinda like making a cassette tape of a cassette tape. But it's *just* barely good enough for me not to care, so... I revert back to laziness.

I didn't notice any issues with quality. So how are your videos edited? Does the software do it automatically?

 

[J011yroger]

Something must not be calibrated internally because I *think* I should slow down to hit a HV and then the ball gets behind me and I end up with a ridiculously difficult HV rather than a much easier volley if I had taken one more step forward. Just one more thing to drill.

First I miss the volley, then I figure out if I was in the wrong position or I just missed.

This is a big improvement for me, I used to just hang my head in shame and walk back to the baseline.

J

 

[J011yroger]

Not sure what you mean by read ?? This is what I was taught when I was at summer camp at IMG academy. and I employ this tactic even in hard courts at times and it worked great even when I was playing college tennis way back when.

I'm surprised you can even spell IMG!

Aww heck, there goes my resolution.

J

 

[rogerroger917]

Quality of video is not bad. Maybe the bright sun made it hard to focus. So looks a bit fuzzy. Good playing.

 

[navigator]

I didn't notice any issues with quality. So how are your videos edited? Does the software do it automatically?

I download the video files from the camera onto my PC's hard drive (I can do that!). Then I pull up the video. Then I log into screencast-o-matic and push a button that brings up a screen recorder that has two buttons: "record/pause" and "done". I play the (tennis) video and use the screen recorder to "record" whatever sections I want on the final "product". So, the screen recorder is just recording whatever's on the computer screen in front of it, which in this case happens to be the tennis video. By alternating between record and pause I end up editing the (original) video into the final product. Then I press "done" and it offers an option to save it or delete it, so I save it. And that's it. Incredibly simple... if not incredibly high quality.

Think of it as having a dual tape recorder where you're using one tape to record various sections from the other tape and just using the pause function as the editor.

 

[Doc Hollidae]

Kickers always help with giving more time to get into the net. Also suggest more body serves on the first, that way you don't have to worry about covering angles as much.

 

[TimeToPlaySets]

In 2018, I am going to develop S&V.
My biggest hurdle will be not waiting for visual confirmation of the serve placement.
This is why I think S&V is an advanced move. You need to know where the serve is going.
eg: Slice it out wide and feel safe charging the net, knowing it will be a lukewarm return.

 

[IowaGuy]

This is why I think S&V is an advanced move. You need to know where the serve is going.

IMHO, S&V is also advanced due to the fact that many of the volleys can be tougher. In addition to a solid serve, it takes really solid volleys/overheads to consistently hold serve with S&V. Most 1st volleys while S&V at the rec level are taken around (or even behind) the service line, meaning more tough low volleys/half volleys and less angle for put-aways.

Contrast to net play on a deep slice approach off an opponent's short ball, where you can get much closer to net before hitting a volley (maybe halfway between service line and net, where Edberg used to camp out), therefore having a better chance at an angle put-away and less chance of half volleys/low volleys (especially if they have to hit up on your low slice approach).

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

In 2018, I am going to develop S&V.
My biggest hurdle will be not waiting for visual confirmation of the serve placement.
This is why I think S&V is an advanced move. You need to know where the serve is going.
eg: Slice it out wide and feel safe charging the net, knowing it will be a lukewarm return.

You only need to know where the serve is going if you play "serve, look at where the serve went, and the decide whether to attack the net".

If you're playing S&V, you've already committed to getting to the net come what may. Just play out a bunch of points where you force yourself to go to net regardless of the serve.

What S&V does it place a higher premium on being able to control the placement of your serve. Most of the time, though, even if I don't hit the serve where I intended, I still crash the net [sometimes to my detriment].

You're going to get passed; accept it.

You're also going to get some free points when your opponent errs; revel in it.

The rest will put your net game to the test; embrace it.

 

[J011yroger]

In 2018, I am going to develop S&V.
My biggest hurdle will be not waiting for visual confirmation of the serve placement.
This is why I think S&V is an advanced move. You need to know where the serve is going.
eg: Slice it out wide and feel safe charging the net, knowing it will be a lukewarm return.

Good idea, you should start a thread.

J

 

[navigator]

Good idea, you should start a thread.

J

Perhaps it can be a jointly-sponsored thread with Nostradamus.

Heating up popcorn now...

 

[ByeByePoly]

I've been working on my S&V a lot. It's getting better but I still (1) meander toward the net after my serve instead of sprinting forward, and (2) don't sufficiently crash the net after my first volley to cut off my opponent's angle. So, my positioning still needs work.

Anyhow, an arseload of very short points (in Zapruder-approved video format):
https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cFVe1gonB1

(I couldn't find any meaningful rec-level S&V video on the site... odd)

Nice hitting ... even better movement. How old are you again? Your legs didn't get the memo.

My 2 cents on S&V is "sprinting/crashing" behind the s&v isn't the way to go, at least it wasn't for me. I would go with controlled rhythm behind serves (slice out wide to deuce, kicker to ad wide, not as much flat down the middle) that give you time to close. If you get a weak ROS, change gears on the fly and hit the easier volley closer to the net... but no artificial goal of hitting all 1st volleys inside the service line. I'm talking in general ... not this little terror you are playing. She is making you bring all you got ... try playing folks your age with no return of serve.

I realize you have a great practice partner there, and you are working on your game. But hypothetically ... if you were trying to beat her I would just tell myself "if she gets to hit balls in the strike zone without moving much ... you lose. ". That would be the same for s&v or from the baseline. Girl has skills. I played a girl that was a recent state champion when I was in my early 20s. She was better than me in every single way ... except I was faster, and my serve was good enough (more than she was seeing in girls competition) to bother her. Spin, etc on serves was something she wasn't used to. Sometimes you can "out run" the better skills. Sometimes NOT!!!

Fun to watch ... keep posting. I would have known in 30 seconds in a tournament that you were going to be a problem. Does nav have a bh ... check. Can Nav hit 10 balls over in a row in practice ... CHECK CHECK CHECK ... uh oh. I watched your video playing ... wasn't it Matt on clay. It took a pretty big FH to get it past you from the baseline, and most rec players don't have that fh on neutral balls. Man... I wish I did.

Assuming you have a PC ... you can do some editing with Movie Maker. The screencast-o-matic does sound easier than Movie Maker. About the only editing I do with Movie Maker is remove a section at the front, and maybe a section at the end ... but leave the middle content. I haven't recorded a set or games, so I just take short videos. It's pretty simple to just put your entire short video without editing on Youtube. Just create Youtube account, and UPLOAD full video to your Youtube account. You never miss anyway ... so you don't have any "bloopers" to remove.

Now I get why you stay in shape. If you are going to hang with that gal, what choice do you have?

 

[MisterP]

Throw in some drop volleys and short angles too, especially on the second volley. Keep those baseliner types on their toes.

 

[Pete Player]

In lower levels of play crashing the net may be enough to startle your opponent winning points only by the threat moving up the court.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[S&V-not_dead_yet]

In lower levels of play crashing the net may be enough to startle your opponent winning points only by the threat moving up the court.

Yup; I can attest to that!

 

[Addxyz]

I'd love to "use more kick" but, unfortunately, the amount I typically use is all I got. I don't have another gear for upshifting.

In my experience, the better opponents [high 4.5 and up] know how to chip my return so that I'm volleying off of my shoelaces. My serve just isn't good enough to handcuff them. But I get a lot of practice at shoelace-height volleys!

If a player isn't able to apply enough service pressure to get some weak returns, do you give up SV for that game? For example, Navigator wasn't getting a lot of weak returns off of his hitting partner. It also seemed like SV players don't necessarily run up on their second serve?

Another thing I noticed is where do SV people aim their first volley? Navigator seemed to put most of his first volleys into the center of the court where it seemed like his hitting partner was then able to tee off. Maybe that's part of serve pressure where if you can't get enough pressure on the serve, you won't get a weaker return to put your opponent on the run/defensive off of the first volley?

 

[Pete Player]

Putting the first volley at your opp and close to his feet will narrow the angles, you need to cover. Hence, too slow ball will give him some leeway though.


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