S&V problems

[Ballinbob]

Hey yall

Havent posted in awhile but im back now

I'm a 17 year old senior just tryin to get better. Im around the 4.0 level.

I usually play at the baseline and it works for me. However, i have a pretty big serve which gets me free points and floaters. Which is fine but i want to be able to put away these floaters at net.

I'm 6"3, and my vertical footwork/movement isnt that great. And every time i put it into my head that I want to S&V i just choke.

Any movement drills or tips for S&Ving ? I have average volleys but a big serve. Im just trying to add a new element to my game, so if you guys have any tips that would be great

thanks

 

[LeeD]

Congrats, you made 6'3".
Keep body compact as you move forwards. Try to sprint to within 3' of the service line, then slow to a split step. If the ball comes back high (lob return), immediately turn sideways to stop any forward momentum. If it's a normal return, keep some forward movement in your split step, allowing you to move forwards quicker than a static split.
Keep all hands in close to your body, like your elbows, and keep those flailing legs under control and under you. Don't be a bambi giraffe when you're moving forwards.

 

[Ballinbob]

Congrats, you made 6'3".
Keep body compact as you move forwards. Try to sprint to within 3' of the service line, then slow to a split step. If the ball comes back high (lob return), immediately turn sideways to stop any forward momentum. If it's a normal return, keep some forward movement in your split step, allowing you to move forwards quicker than a static split.
Keep all hands in close to your body, like your elbows, and keep those flailing legs under control and under you. Don't be a bambi giraffe when you're moving forwards.

Thanks lee . That's an interesting point about keeping my body compact . I do tend to flail around a little too much. Ill try that for sure. Also , I guess its not a good idea to approach behind a flat serve ? Maybe that's part of my problem that the serve is coming back too fast . Also , where should I direct the first volley ? Just try and volley it deep then advance closer to the net ?

 

[mikeler]

Welcome back. Those high volleys are the toughest ones to learn. At least you are tall which should make improving that shot easier.

 

[corners]

Try the Osmosis approach (as per John Yandell's Osmosis series):

Watch lots of video of guys like Laver, Edberg, McEnroe, Sampras. Soak it up and then hit the courts.

 

[NoSkillzAndy]

Bob, it'd be ideal to come in off of a heavy kick or a well-placed slice. But it's possible to serve & volley off a flat serve as well and that serve could definitely generate a weak return; however, like you said you won't have as much time to move forward and you'll run the risk of the return coming back really fast if they catch it cleanly.

Here's a few tips for serve & volley to get you started:

* toss out in front to give you momentum forward
* explosive first steps
* get as far forward as possible before your opponent strikes the ball (you may or may not make it to the service line)
* just before they do, stop or slow down your momentum & find your balance (depending on how fast you're moving this could be a split step or split steps)
* if the return is well-struck, stay calm & handle it firmly, transitioning forward as you hit. Doesn't have to be anything fancy, just make the first volley and keep moving forward, then look to put away the next volley or overhead from your now dominant position!
* if it's floaty, close in & put it away to the open court (be sure not to get lead feet here -- move to the ball, don't let a floaty ball play you). Feel free to go behind your opponent about 25% of the time to keep them guessing
* until you become a serve & volley master, this play works best when your opponent doesn't know in advance that you're coming in, so try not to do it more than 50% of the time, unless you're playing doubles in which case you can get away with it more

 

[jdubbs]

If the guy you're playing is a pusher, experiment with serve and volleying on every point. Sure, you'll get passed some, but you'll start to see what works.

If he's a decent player, try coming in on high, deep shots to the backhand, which usually result in floaty returns.

Get your feet set and just as the ball is about to hit your racket, step forward to give it some oomph.

Keep at it. I'm 6"2 and love to win shots at the net.

 

[Larrysümmers]

My thing on the floaters is keeping my eye one the ball. I try to act like Fed and destroy the ball, it ends up in the net more times than not.

 

[Ballinbob]

Thanks Mike High volleys are tough for sure, regardless of my height. Its hard get a good hit on those things. I always shank those balls for some reason... prob because of bad technique.

Try the Osmosis approach (as per John Yandell's Osmosis series):

Watch lots of video of guys like Laver, Edberg, McEnroe, Sampras. Soak it up and then hit the courts.

Thats interesting.... i wonder if this works. Either way, doesnt hurt to try

Bob, it'd be ideal to come in off of a heavy kick or a well-placed slice. But it's possible to serve & volley off a flat serve as well and that serve could definitely generate a weak return; however, like you said you won't have as much time to move forward and you'll run the risk of the return coming back really fast if they catch it cleanly.

Here's a few tips for serve & volley to get you started:

* toss out in front to give you momentum forward
* explosive first steps
* get as far forward as possible before your opponent strikes the ball (you may or may not make it to the service line)
* just before they do, stop or slow down your momentum & find your balance (depending on how fast you're moving this could be a split step or split steps)
* if the return is well-struck, stay calm & handle it firmly, transitioning forward as you hit. Doesn't have to be anything fancy, just make the first volley and keep moving forward, then look to put away the next volley or overhead from your now dominant position!
* if it's floaty, close in & put it away to the open court (be sure not to get lead feet here -- move to the ball, don't let a floaty ball play you). Feel free to go behind your opponent about 25% of the time to keep them guessing
* until you become a serve & volley master, this play works best when your opponent doesn't know in advance that you're coming in, so try not to do it more than 50% of the time, unless you're playing doubles in which case you can get away with it more

good advice, i appreciate it thanks. volleying behind the person is a great idea that i never really thought of doing. I usually just volley into the open court. I'll try my best to post a volley vid so you guys can help me out more.

If the guy you're playing is a pusher, experiment with serve and volleying on every point. Sure, you'll get passed some, but you'll start to see what works.

If he's a decent player, try coming in on high, deep shots to the backhand, which usually result in floaty returns.

Get your feet set and just as the ball is about to hit your racket, step forward to give it some oomph.

Keep at it. I'm 6"2 and love to win shots at the net.

Haha i do have a pusher friend ! I'll call him today to practice with him. thats a good idea as well. and i agree with the deep shots to the backhand, that seems to really pressure opponents. its like 25 degrees in Colorado today but im gonna try and go to an indoor court and hit anyway. Ill keep you posted

 

[LeeD]

Hi volleys are fun and easy once you've hit a few....thousands.
Really work on shortening your backswing, watch ball, move forwards with good posture and PUNCH the ball past the service line, into open court or behind baseliner.
On high backhand volleys, you won't have the same power, so go for depth and placement.
If you like to swing your high volleys, AIM service line and up the middle to keep mishits IN.

 

[panache5]

Short swings. Most important thing is the split step, something I see alot of people never do. The easier the ball the lazier people tend to get, step into the ball.

 

[NLBwell]

Keep your head level!

Best advice I got on serving and volleying ever - and it was from a baseball hitting instructor.
When trying to move quickly, split step, cut towards the ball, get the racket in position, etc. It is easy for your head to start moving around. It makes it as if the floater moving through the air is jumping around side to side and up and down. Think of having a glass of water on your head and trying not to spill it. Better to move too little than to move too much.

 

[fuzz nation]

Also , I guess its not a good idea to approach behind a flat serve ? Maybe that's part of my problem that the serve is coming back too fast .

That's very much a problem in the realm of S&V play. The key to taking the net in a strong posture is a good transition, but when we serve a bullet, that ball is on its way back much sooner than a slower ball with lots of spin.

If you've got a well developed serve, hopefully you've worked on a heavy spinner/kicker along with that flat heater. That's the one you want to use a lot when you need to S&V. The unpredictable bounces that often come with heavy spin serves can often leave returners off balance and that can force a weak return that you can work with. The other good news with that type of serve is that it flies more slowly which allows you another step or two toward the net and they even land with a greater margin for error.

I agree that the flat heater should only be called upon here and there to keep an opponent honest. Don't want to be completely predictable when you're serving.

Reaction volleys - practice them. That means having a hitting pal fire away at you while you're up at the net so that you can iron out those reflex volleys and already know what to do in your matches. This is one shot that you can't "figure out" on match day; either it's in your toolbox or it's not.

Another one to add to the toolbox is a solid half-volley where you catch the ball on a short hop (yes, after an essential split-step), usually somewhere in no-man's land. If you routinely move forward, this is one more shot that you want to be confident with so that you can transition forward with control of the action. Place it deep, leave your opponent on his heels, and you'll be more in charge when you arrive at the net.

Routinely moving in doesn't necessarily yield immediate results. It might rack up points right away, but you may lose a few points at first, too. Think of it as sort of like the running game in football - you can use it to wear down your opponent's resolve. Unless an opponent is well above your level, this persistent attack can begin forcing lots of panic shots at low percentage targets. Once you figure out how to transition behind a solid approach shot against any opponent, you'll control a lot of the action.

 

[charliefedererer]

Plenty of good advice above.

Two more things to consider.

Be realistic on what you can do on low balls. Any ball below the net will have to be volleyed up and over the net. Think deep and well placed rather than hitting a winner. Consider a touch volley drop shot on low balls when you are close to the net.

No one (besides a coach) is going to hit you enough volleys in practice to get really good. So volleys are harder to practice than groundstrokes. There is still the old standby, the wall, to develop feel and also work on the half volleys that you will be caught in. But you mentioned indoor courts. So do you have access to a ball machine? If so, you can practice volleys on the run, running to where you know the ball will be coming until you own that shot. Start from various places, including from far enough back so you will be challenging yourself with digging out tough low balls you just get to. Learn to get in the quick two step sequence out of the split step it takes to cover a ball hit down the line. (Quick feet separate the good volleyer fron the wannabe.) Muscle memory only comes with lots of practice. And beyond practice, be sure to include lots of match play, making mental notes of what is giving you problems, then go and practice that.

 

[Ballinbob]

wow, looks like i have alot of work to do. i read everyones posts im just too lazy to quote them all now

-for the spin serve thing, that makes perfect sense now. I need time to get to the net after all. I have a descent kick serve so I'll try approaching on that

-For whoever asked, yeah i have access to a ball machine. thanks for the drill, i will try those running volleys for sure.

- Short back swing, split step,and keeping my head level seem to be common sense but i realized when i play i dont always do these things. I will have to keep practicing. its all about practice

thanks all, ill try and post a vid sooner or later. im moving between Colorado,USA to Lebanon alot now so im kinda busy now (hence me not being active on the forums)

 

[fuzz nation]

In general terms, it's nice to hear that you seem excited about evolving your game instead of simply being one-dimensional. If you're happy to "enjoy the process" and keep learning, you'll probably be a lot less likely to get frustrated with stagnation. When the classroom is always open, it's often easier to deal with the ups and downs along the way, especially when your expectations are grounded in reality. Every new skill you develop or learned skill you reinforce will only make you a more capable player.

Keep at it.

 

[LeeD]

Personally, I'd rather come in on my flat first serves than any kickers or slices.
When they're going in, a lot of free points.
When the returner gets lucky and blocks a winner, no further effort from me.
Go into the body dead center, allowing for small errors either side.
Go up the lines and slice wide for the other side, always within a foot of the sidelines.
Heaters up the middle at the body is your best weapon against big groundie hitters. You handcuff them, volley from just outside the service line, but get 3' inside the service line for the putaway next volley or overhead. Open court is best, but one in 5 behind the guy.
Coming in behind a big spin serve is just making yourself do more work than you need if you have the big heater.