i'm a serve and volleyer, and i just started playing again last month (i've played maybe 6 times) after a year long lay off. i dont seem to be able to hit that first low shoe string volley like i used it, it seems like im just hitting it into a sitter position waiting to get passed. before that first volley would put me on the offensive and wait for a week pass attempt and put it away. overall my feel at net seems poor, i missed an easy backhand volley today, and that pt. cost me the break, which in turn cost me the match. do i just need to work on it more and give it more time? i always thoughts volleys come pretty naturally to ppl, as they used to me, and you didn't need to give volleys as much time to get "on" as a serve or a forehand, or backhand. anyway, just asking for your opinions.
serve and volley
- Thread starter chiru
- Start date
vkartikv
Hall of Fame
Having been away from the game for such a long time, your reaction time may have slowed down. I have found that it is the second most important thing - second only to getting in position. Before you play, both you and your partner need to get close to the net and exchange volleys to try to get you accustomed to it. And patience is of utmost importance 
SystemicAnomaly
Bionic Poster
split & get low
Be sure that you are performing a split-step prior to that 1st volley (intiate it as your opponent is just about to strike the ball). To hit that 1st volley, also make sure that you are bending your knees to get low. Lastly, keep your head still & focus your eyes at the contact point.
Be sure that you are performing a split-step prior to that 1st volley (intiate it as your opponent is just about to strike the ball). To hit that 1st volley, also make sure that you are bending your knees to get low. Lastly, keep your head still & focus your eyes at the contact point.
chess9
Hall of Fame
I agree with VkartikV on this issue of volley practice. It just isn't done in my club. Everyone stands back at the baseline and warms up. I put my ball machine on full speed with heavy topspin and at the fastest feed rate and on oscillation and hit 300 balls one day per week. My reaction time has improved considerably. 5 months ago I was missing a lot of volleys. This Sunday I was nailing quite a few, including one backhand smash that was rather sweet.
Another good drill is half-volley practice with the ball machine. Hit a shot from the baseline, then come in two or three steps and hit a half-volley, then back up and repeat. Great way to build some nice timing and feel for those low balls.
-Robert
________
Expert insurance
Another good drill is half-volley practice with the ball machine. Hit a shot from the baseline, then come in two or three steps and hit a half-volley, then back up and repeat. Great way to build some nice timing and feel for those low balls.
-Robert
________
Expert insurance
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Marius_Hancu
Talk Tennis Guru
practice S-V sequences, not just volleys at net
play tiebreaks
check my posting on Serve and Volley in the Sticky
many clips
play tiebreaks
check my posting on Serve and Volley in the Sticky
many clips
ask1ed
Semi-Pro
Use the wall. Up close, keep it in the air, and also half volleys. Go back/forth bh/fh at close range. Keep the ball in the air, and move it up/down the wall at close range. Use the overhead at close range, and volley lob it for another overhead. YOur wrist will feel weak at first, stick heavy. You will want to quit.
It's not so much the volley shot itself, but the getting to net that is difficult. S&V has a reputation for being a very difficult way to win (even in the days of "old-style" racquets/strings/courts, etc) and it is. It just takes way longer to get good enough at it so you can win that way. I lost a LOT at first (I just ignored the bagels and kept at it - lol) when I was learning to S&V and have found it much more difficult to learn than winning from the baseline. I also try to get to net as often as possible during a match besides serves.
The hard part, which Marius alluded to, is the transition to the net from the serve itself or from approach shots. Your serve has to be good enough to come in on, with faster serves not necessarily better. It takes much, much practise to develop the kind of court sense to be able to immediately seize the right opportunities to come in on other than serves. I find that, even though my volleys and approach shots are technically sound, I make more errors because I hesitate and come in just a split second too late or get over-excited and come in when I should have maybe hit a couple more balls for a better opportunity to approach. Also, it is hard (at least for me) to transition from a hard groundstroke or overhead, for example, to a much more touch/finesse shot up at the net without missing a beat.
Practise obviously, but also perhaps change your expectations about the time involved in the learning curve because, I have found, that S&V is about a lot more than just the strokes themselves. It feels awesome to win by S&Ving so be patient, keep at it and good luck!
The hard part, which Marius alluded to, is the transition to the net from the serve itself or from approach shots. Your serve has to be good enough to come in on, with faster serves not necessarily better. It takes much, much practise to develop the kind of court sense to be able to immediately seize the right opportunities to come in on other than serves. I find that, even though my volleys and approach shots are technically sound, I make more errors because I hesitate and come in just a split second too late or get over-excited and come in when I should have maybe hit a couple more balls for a better opportunity to approach. Also, it is hard (at least for me) to transition from a hard groundstroke or overhead, for example, to a much more touch/finesse shot up at the net without missing a beat.
Practise obviously, but also perhaps change your expectations about the time involved in the learning curve because, I have found, that S&V is about a lot more than just the strokes themselves. It feels awesome to win by S&Ving so be patient, keep at it and good luck!
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