So, how do you handle these two shots at net ...

[Davis937]

Did some more volley drills today but had difficulty handling these two shots ... OK, I'm in my "ready to volley" position at the net (center of the court maybe 7 feet away from the net) ... (1) my partner hits a hard FH shot that hits the net, softens the shot but the ball ricochets (sp) off the net and moves in a different direction ... I find that I am "frozen" for a split second and have difficulty recovering in time to handle the volley ... (2) my partner on the baseline hits a hard, flat FH that doesn't touch the net but clears it by only an inch or two ... I notice that I actually "lose" sight of the ball in the net (I think it will hit the net ... but it doesn't) ... do any of you also have difficulty following that low, skimming shot ... I have an extremely difficult time "picking up" or "seeing" this ball and end up volleying late or muffing the shot ... it's especially difficult if the ball is hit directly at me ... thanks in advance for your thoughts, suggestions, or tips!

 

[lonux]

The first one is a lucky shot, and there's really not much to do in such a case.

The second one, I see where your problem is. I actually see this with a lot of players today. Much players leave the ball when they think it will go in the net or be out. If you just go for each ball, you should have no problem getting it. At least, that's the way I do it, and I have no problems with it.

 

[papa]

It sounds like your "partner" is also your "opponent" and your playing singles.

The shots in both examples are very common and unfortunately catch most players back on their heels, unable to react. If your a new player, you'll eventually get used to these shots. However, the main thing to keep in mind that "every" ball is going to in/over, especially at net. Keeping pressure on your toes and getting used to balls hitting the netcord or just clearing it are very commonplace.

 

[xFullCourtTenniSx]

First one, if you're there and are pretty much waiting for the volley, it's just experience dealing with them to get the quick hands to put it back into the court. If you're rushing or stretching to get there, you should almost never get that unless it slows down a lot off the bounce and you manage to get yourself together fast enough to put it back in the court.

The second one, you just have to react and place the racket behind the ball at all times, even if you think it's going into the net. Pretend the net isn't there and always be ready to volley the ball.

 

[GetBetterer]

Davis937:

OK, I'm in my "ready to volley" position at the net

It's not the "placement" that matters, it's the split step, it helps coordinate your shots. Soderling was right at the net in this year's French Open and hit a drive volley against Federer.

(I think it will hit the net ... but it doesn't) ... do any of you also have difficulty following that low, skimming shot ... I have an extremely difficult time "picking up" or "seeing" this ball and end up volleying late or muffing the shot ... it's especially difficult if the ball is hit directly at me ... thanks in advance for your thoughts, suggestions, or tips!

I hit those shots that barely go over the net actually, with the topspin I add, it goes by fine, although it's not 1-2 in. (then again I'm not quite sure what 1-2 in. are) but 10-15 centimeters, sometimes lower but lowest was probably 5 centimeters not counting shots that go into the net, or hit the net cord.

papa:

It sounds like your "partner" is also your "opponent" and your playing singles.

That is what it's sounding like to me too.

If you're trying to volley these low balls, basically just do a volley. Except, instead of just "placing" your racket at the right spot, swing to hit it. Not a full forehand/backhand swing, but a slice. The underspin will keep it low, help you get it over (in case they use underspin) and let you set up time for another shot, amongst other advantages of a volley that's used by slicing.

If you're going to actually hit it, such as on high balls, you need to swing down and cross court (for now, but down the line shots will come later).

Then there's the drop volley, but I'm not going to get into that. ^^

 

[fuzz nation]

That second one can be tricky, not just because your eye can lose it, but because it's low. Unless it clears the net by a bit more, that low skimmer is just about impossible to volley back with much authority.

As you get sharper up at net, your instincts should tell you to hit with control, not pace, when the ball is lower like that one. Look for more authority on your volley once the ball is up toward chest or shoulder height.

To get better control on that low ball, get yourself low so that you can keep your racquet head up. That will give you better racquet face control and it will probably also give you a better look at the ball's flight path.

You don't want to cough up a sitter when an opponent sends you that low ball to volley back, so look at this volley as a set up. Send it back low and even rather soft (not quite a drop-volley) so that the other guys are then forced to deal with the low ball. You're looking to make them hit up into your kill zone. If they send another low one back to you, keep at it until they make a mistake.

 

[ManuGinobili]

If you improve your anticipation skill, you will have a higher chance against both. When a ball comes it low, visualize what happens if it hits the net, and what happens if it barely clears... and of course, what you will do to counter that. No guarantee you will hit the ball back comfortably, but this will make you much more ready.

 

[Davis937]

The first one is a lucky shot, and there's really not much to do in such a case.

The second one, I see where your problem is. I actually see this with a lot of players today. Much players leave the ball when they think it will go in the net or be out. If you just go for each ball, you should have no problem getting it. At least, that's the way I do it, and I have no problems with it.

Hey, lonus ... good tip ... I need to assume that low, skimming ball is going over the net, and I should be prepared to volley the ball.

 

[Davis937]

It sounds like your "partner" is also your "opponent" and your playing singles.

The shots in both examples are very common and unfortunately catch most players back on their heels, unable to react. If your a new player, you'll eventually get used to these shots. However, the main thing to keep in mind that "every" ball is going to in/over, especially at net. Keeping pressure on your toes and getting used to balls hitting the netcord or just clearing it are very commonplace.

Hey, papa ... yeah, I am too often caught flat footed ... need to stay on my toes and assume that low ball is coming to me ...

 

[Davis937]

First one, if you're there and are pretty much waiting for the volley, it's just experience dealing with them to get the quick hands to put it back into the court. If you're rushing or stretching to get there, you should almost never get that unless it slows down a lot off the bounce and you manage to get yourself together fast enough to put it back in the court.

The second one, you just have to react and place the racket behind the ball at all times, even if you think it's going into the net. Pretend the net isn't there and always be ready to volley the ball.

Hey, FullCourt ... yeah, good tip ... I like that ...just pretend the net isn't there and always "expect" the ball to arrive ... so, how did you play this weekend?

 

[Cindysphinx]

The second one, you just have to react and place the racket behind the ball at all times, even if you think it's going into the net. Pretend the net isn't there and always be ready to volley the ball.

Yep, this is what my pro told me. Anytime there is a ball coming low toward the net, get your racket up there in the flight path of the ball as though the net is not there. Preferably with perfect volley form (racket head up, wrist firm, etc.), moving forward just like you're planning to play that ball. If the ball grazes the net, it will often strike your racket anyway and you will look like a genius.

 

[LeeD]

Yeah, you should watch some S/V matches, like the current Q on ESPN yesterday.
Gotta cover all shots higher than 28", with the racket in position.
First scenario, as said, you can't cover, but maybe luckily get it back.

 

[papa]

Hey, papa ... yeah, I am too often caught flat footed ... need to stay on my toes and assume that low ball is coming to me ...

Something that happens to most players unfortunately. When you rock back on your heels, your basically out of it and not going to be able to react quickly, if at all. Keeping pressure "on" your toes and fighting to keep weight "off" the heels will really help reaction time at all levels. Often players will be labeled as lazy. when in fact, they have too much weight on their heels making it almost impossible to react to these situations. When at net, your probably not going to be doing much, if any, form of split step - not saying you shouldn't but being realistic, I know you won't.

So, the bottom line is just think about the heels being high enough off court to side a piece of paper under them

 

[Davis937]

Something that happens to most players unfortunately. When you rock back on your heels, your basically out of it and not going to be able to react quickly, if at all. Keeping pressure "on" your toes and fighting to keep weight "off" the heels will really help reaction time at all levels. Often players will be labeled as lazy. when in fact, they have too much weight on their heels making it almost impossible to react to these situations. When at net, your probably not going to be doing much, if any, form of split step - not saying you shouldn't but being realistic, I know you won't.

So, the bottom line is just think about the heels being high enough off court to side a piece of paper under them

Hey, papa ... yeah, that's an excellent tip -- making sure I stay on my toes and NOT settling back on my heels ... my buddy is also suggesting that I keep "bouncing" when I'm at the net and EXPECT every shot to come to you (... you know, like a baseball infielder, at the crack of the bat, always thinking that the ball is always coming to him) ...

 

[papa]

Yep, this is what my pro told me. Anytime there is a ball coming low toward the net, get your racket up there in the flight path of the ball as though the net is not there. Preferably with perfect volley form (racket head up, wrist firm, etc.), moving forward just like you're planning to play that ball. If the ball grazes the net, it will often strike your racket anyway and you will look like a genius.

Yep, good advice. The only negative, and I've seen it happen plenty of times, is to make sure you or your racquet doesn't hit the net. Many times players are dependent on the force of the ball pushing their racquet back and without that force they end up going into net especially if your too close or closing fast.

 

[Davis937]

Yep, this is what my pro told me. Anytime there is a ball coming low toward the net, get your racket up there in the flight path of the ball as though the net is not there. Preferably with perfect volley form (racket head up, wrist firm, etc.), moving forward just like you're planning to play that ball. If the ball grazes the net, it will often strike your racket anyway and you will look like a genius.

Hey, Cindy ... yeah ... an excellent tip ... my mind (and body) too often will "shut down" when it looks like the ball is going to hit the netcord ... I know ... a definite NO NO ... thanks!

 

[Davis937]

Yeah, you should watch some S/V matches, like the current Q on ESPN yesterday.
Gotta cover all shots higher than 28", with the racket in position.
First scenario, as said, you can't cover, but maybe luckily get it back.

Hey, lee ... yeah, thanks ... I need to "think" at the net that all shots are coming to me ... the action is fast so I GOTS to be ready!

 

[Davis937]

I'm curious ...

So, going back to my original post ... am I unique in that I seem to "lose sight" of the low ball coming to me ... it looks like it will hit the net but for a brief millisecond I actually can't see the ball (like I'm losing it in the netcord) ... let me know ... thanks!

 

[Danstevens]

So, going back to my original post ... am I unique in that I seem to "lose sight" of the low ball coming to me ... it looks like it will hit the net but for a brief millisecond I actually can't see the ball (like I'm losing it in the netcord) ... let me know ... thanks!

I occasionally get surprised by a ball that seems to be hitting the net but somehow just clears it - I think quite a few people do. As already said, the best tip is to get there and cover it even if you're 99% sure that it's in the net. I would imagine that the more time you spend at the net the less you will lose track of the ball because following it over the net will become more natural to you.

Both of the shots you describe are pretty horrible to have to hit a volley off but there's probably one thing you can do to make them more tolerable - be fast. When you split, make sure you're on your toes and ready to move. Stay focussed at the net and ready to react to anything the ball will do. The first scenario is very coach because the ball could do an enormous variety of things after hitting the tape, it might pop up and let you kill it, just barely dribble over the net and leave you picking it up off the floor or possibly kick over your racket. A slight direction change of the net cord is something else you may have to deal with. Basically, the only thing you can do it make sure you move well and stay light on your feet. If this does happen deal with it as best you can but there isn't any unique technique to the shot, good footwork definitely helps.

The second one is another tough shot to deal with. Trying to put it away or even just hitting a quick volley off this is very difficult and usually gets put long/wide. You can't just hit a flat, soft volley or a drop volley because the pace coming in will most probably make it sit up and get crushed. The higher you can take the ball, the better because picking up a fast shot from below the net is even more difficult. The underspin suggestion is something I would also recommend, it allows you to keep the volley in play a bit easier and makes it more difficult for your opponent to pass you with the next shot. If you can get to the ball and take it at a decent height above the net, you can often punch it away using the pace of the incoming shot but this is very rarely possible on the shots that you describe - they simply don't clear the net by a big enough distance.

 

[LeeD]

Peoples...
Don't make judgements, you're not good enough to make the call.
Just cover every passing shot that you can reach, just like the pro volleyers.

 

[Davis937]

I occasionally get surprised by a ball that seems to be hitting the net but somehow just clears it - I think quite a few people do. As already said, the best tip is to get there and cover it even if you're 99% sure that it's in the net. I would imagine that the more time you spend at the net the less you will lose track of the ball because following it over the net will become more natural to you.

Both of the shots you describe are pretty horrible to have to hit a volley off but there's probably one thing you can do to make them more tolerable - be fast. When you split, make sure you're on your toes and ready to move. Stay focussed at the net and ready to react to anything the ball will do. The first scenario is very coach because the ball could do an enormous variety of things after hitting the tape, it might pop up and let you kill it, just barely dribble over the net and leave you picking it up off the floor or possibly kick over your racket. A slight direction change of the net cord is something else you may have to deal with. Basically, the only thing you can do it make sure you move well and stay light on your feet. If this does happen deal with it as best you can but there isn't any unique technique to the shot, good footwork definitely helps.

The second one is another tough shot to deal with. Trying to put it away or even just hitting a quick volley off this is very difficult and usually gets put long/wide. You can't just hit a flat, soft volley or a drop volley because the pace coming in will most probably make it sit up and get crushed. The higher you can take the ball, the better because picking up a fast shot from below the net is even more difficult. The underspin suggestion is something I would also recommend, it allows you to keep the volley in play a bit easier and makes it more difficult for your opponent to pass you with the next shot. If you can get to the ball and take it at a decent height above the net, you can often punch it away using the pace of the incoming shot but this is very rarely possible on the shots that you describe - they simply don't clear the net by a big enough distance.

Hey, Dan ... a really excellent post ... thanks for your comments and suggestions ... yeah, both very difficult shots ... preparation is surely half the battle when volleying at the net ...

 

[Davis937]

Peoples...
Don't make judgements, you're not good enough to make the call.
Just cover every passing shot that you can reach, just like the pro volleyers.

... thanks, lee ... so, tell me ... how do you volley those "hot" and heavy top spin shots that are dipping down at your ankles when you're at the net ... I find I have to keep a really firm wrist ... I'm bending at my knees (as instructed) but a lot of my volleys in that situation hit the net cord ...