Strategy of a player that cannot volley

[torpantennis]

Assume you have a player type that always has much heavier strokes than the opponent, can move faster than the opponent, but cannot volley at all. Opponents always have trouble coping with the heavy strokes, but the player is forced to stay back, because he cannot volley. Obviously he needs to practice volleys, but in the meantime, what should be the best strategy for this kind of player?

 

[newpball]

Obviously he needs to practice volleys, but in the meantime, what should be the best strategy for this kind of player?

Practice even more volleys!

I think such players need a proverbial kick in the butt as my best guess is that they simply do not want to practice volleys.

Same with the, "oh I play good ground strokes but I just am not good at serving" types, they need to get their butts off the chairs and practice serving.

Thing is that doing endless convenient baseline rallies for hours on is the mode of operation for most players. Practicing volleys and serves takes more discipline and thus most people don't practice enough of it if anything at all.

Practicing serves? Oh, yeah, isn't that what you do kill the time when your play partner is late?

Practicing volleys? Aw, don't need to, I am a base liner.

 

[torpantennis]

How to practice volleys if your hitting partners cannot give consistent balls into the net?

 

[newpball]

How to practice volleys if your hitting partners cannot give consistent balls into the net?

1. Get a better hitting partner.
2. Get lessons.
3. Use the wall.

Remember the wall is your friend:

 

[torpantennis]

What about using drive volleys? Shouldn't it be more similar to ground strokes?

 

[Avles]

3.5 at best!!

 

[ProgressoR]

hitting partner can try feeding for each volley rather than returning the volleys.

 

[dknotty]

Try playing doubles.

Net play is critical to successful doubles. You'll learn fast.

 

[torpantennis]

Try playing doubles.

Net play is critical to successful doubles. You'll learn fast.

I've done practice sets of doubles almost weekly. Doesn't help, at our level the strategy tends to be one back and one at net. This only gives the endless CC bashing, and the net player does not even sweat.

Matches are not good, I need a lot of repetitions with easy basic volleys. I think hand feeding is a good idea. Problem is that it's boring for the hitting partner. Practicing serves is easy, because you can do it alone.

 

[Baxter]

I've done practice sets of doubles almost weekly. Doesn't help, at our level the strategy tends to be one back and one at net. This only gives the endless CC bashing, and the net player does not even sweat.

It's boring doing nothing at net so jump in and poach. You will lose some points but you will also be in the returner's head.

 

[Avles]

Ball machine is great for practicing volleys if that's an option for you.

 

[StringingIrvine]

I've had a lot of fun hitting with weaker players using training balls. Start with the foam balls with a someone at net and someone at the service line and go from there. Then gradually move up to orange dot balls then green dot balls.

Yes the training balls will not feel the same at impact and touch will be different BUT the movement and hand eye coordination will be the similar. Also if your hitting partner hits the ball too hard for you to really practice volleys this will help slow things down. I have one of each ball in my bag just for warm up reasons.

 

[Overdrive]

If your opponent cannot volley, you struck gold.

 

[the 10s n00b]

Try playing doubles.

Net play is critical to successful doubles. You'll learn fast.

I agree personally... just play practice sets and work on poaching and serving and volleying.

 

[torpantennis]

I agree personally... just play practice sets and work on poaching and serving and volleying.

Yeah, I think I'll just force this on this week's doubles. It's just a practice set, not interested of the result as such.

Borrowing a ball machine would also be good. I just need to get a friend to the session, otherwise I'll run out of gas.

 

[tennis_ocd]

Assume you have a player type that always has much heavier strokes than the opponent, can move faster than the opponent, but cannot volley at all. Opponents always have trouble coping with the heavy strokes, but the player is forced to stay back, because he cannot volley. Obviously he needs to practice volleys, but in the meantime, what should be the best strategy for this kind of player?

Short term; if he really can't volley yet has great groundies, stay back. Long term; move forward and learn to volley -- although an hour with a pro or good hitting partner could be worth months of actual match play.

 

[Jay_The_Nomad]

I've done practice sets of doubles almost weekly. Doesn't help, at our level the strategy tends to be one back and one at net. This only gives the endless CC bashing, and the net player does not even sweat.

Matches are not good, I need a lot of repetitions with easy basic volleys. I think hand feeding is a good idea. Problem is that it's boring for the hitting partner. Practicing serves is easy, because you can do it alone.

Attack the net in doubles rather than stay back. That will give you LOTS of net play experience.

Play with lower level opponents and you also get more opportunities to knock off those volleys.

 

[Ballinbob]

I used to be one of those baseline bashers who couldn't volley. Best (and fastest) way to improve volleys in my opinion:

1. Watch a ton of YouTube videos to make sure you have the proper technique down
2. Rent a ball machine for an hour or two and practice.
3. Video yourself when on the ball machine and post the video on here and we will all help you

A year back or so I did this process twice and kept posting vids on here and bam, I'm now a pretty adequate volleyer. It's not a weapon by any means, but I can play good competitive doubles now at 4.5

 

[Brian11785]

The OP is my tennis doppleganger. I have had decent competitive success at the 3.5 level and rising (in the two years I've been playing leagues; three years playing total) with virtually no volley. Particularly the backhand volley.

I think my instincts of when to come forward are good, and my slice approaches off both wings are decent. So that helps. I hit volley winners, but (for the aforementioned reasons) they tend to be off balls that are easier putaways. In cases in which I've been pulled forward and am sort of a sitting duck, it usually doesn't end well.

In competitive doubles, it is a different story. I play back. Period.

When playing casual doubles, I usually play up and take my lumps at the net.

I bought the Volley Mastery product from EssentialTennis, but I haven't gotten the chance to really go through it much yet. Was hoping to do so in the off-season. We'll see.


Am interested in reading these responses.

 

[torpantennis]

Let's try to get this thread back on track, i.e. on the strategy part.

In cases in which I've been pulled forward and am sort of a sitting duck, it usually doesn't end well.

This. I'm just so confused, what to do in matches. If I keep staying back, they'll draw me forward, and then that happens. And if I rush net, it won't end any better. Standing in no man's land is also not a solution. So what should the strategy be?

 

[LeeD]

How I practice my volleys....
I stand a foot behind my service line.
I volley or half volley 80% of my shots ONE bounce to the baseliner, and aim for mid NML depth, not deeper, not shorter. I aim for his forehand if he doesn't have a good backhand, or either side if he does, but always within one step either direction, no farther.
Now if they can't hit a groundie with that feed, they aren't worthy of my time on the court.

 

[dknotty]

half volley 80%

I find half volleys the hardest shots.

I've done practice sets of doubles almost weekly. Doesn't help, at our level the strategy tends to be one back and one at net. This only gives the endless CC bashing, and the net player does not even sweat.

Matches are not good, I need a lot of repetitions with easy basic volleys. I think hand feeding is a good idea. Problem is that it's boring for the hitting partner. Practicing serves is easy, because you can do it alone.

Well you have to play 2 up otherwise it won't help and you'll just default to your comfort zone and not improve your net play. If you're not confident have a lesson and work only on volleys so that you know what to do technically when you're in game play.

 

[LeeD]

NOTICE.... I stand a foot behind the service line when I warm up or practice my volleys.
WHY? you wonder.
To practice my low and half volleys, which are much more difficult than thigh high and higher volleys.

 

[TheCheese]

Just hit good approach shots.

 

[LeeD]

WRONG!
After you serve, if the returner hits low, you don't get inside the service line.
After a good approach shot, you barely get inside the service line, which leaves you LOTS of 1/2 volleys and shoetop volleys against a decent player....maybe not YOUR competition, a 3.5, but certainly against 4.5's and better.

 

[dknotty]

WRONG!
After you serve, if the returner hits low, you don't get inside the service line.
After a good approach shot, you barely get inside the service line, which leaves you LOTS of 1/2 volleys and shoetop volleys against a decent player....maybe not YOUR competition, a 3.5, but certainly against 4.5's and better.

Exactly. I'm changing the mechanics of my serve and it doesn't have quite the voom to prevent this situation happening totally.

Particularly on the backhand side, when its a hard incoming ball it is hard to send back with interest.

 

[LeeD]

Possibly there is a flaw in your thinking, and philosophy, that is going to prevent you from playing successful all court tennis.
If your opponent hits a screeming meemie low and at your feet, you do NOT need to reply with a hard hit fast winner. In fact, percentages are in your favor if you just shovel it back deep, move another 2 steps forwards, and get ready to put the next ball away.
WHY? you ask. Consider the other way around. YOUR opponent comes to net, you blast a 85mph screeming topspin at his feet, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? I'll tell, you. You are thinking you have won the point. If the opponent tries to reply with a screaming winner, YOU WILL HAVE WON THE POINT.
IF, OTOH, your opponent just half/low volleys it back deep to your court, what is your mindset? NOW, you are confused, mad, your winner didn't work, and you're going to BLAST the next shot even harder!
Right?
So, just shovel it back deep, move forwards 2 steps, anticipate getting a faster passing shot, but keep the lob in mind, and allow him to hit his clean winner IF HE CAN.
IF HE CAN, he is beyond your skill level.

 

[dknotty]

Possibly there is a flaw in your thinking, and philosophy, that is going to prevent you from playing successful all court tennis.
If your opponent hits a screeming meemie low and at your feet, you do NOT need to reply with a hard hit fast winner. In fact, percentages are in your favor if you just shovel it back deep, move another 2 steps forwards, and get ready to put the next ball away.
WHY? you ask. Consider the other way around. YOUR opponent comes to net, you blast a 85mph screeming topspin at his feet, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? I'll tell, you. You are thinking you have won the point. If the opponent tries to reply with a screaming winner, YOU WILL HAVE WON THE POINT.
IF, OTOH, your opponent just half/low volleys it back deep to your court, what is your mindset? NOW, you are confused, mad, your winner didn't work, and you're going to BLAST the next shot even harder!
Right?
So, just shovel it back deep, move forwards 2 steps, anticipate getting a faster passing shot, but keep the lob in mind, and allow him to hit his clean winner IF HE CAN.
IF HE CAN, he is beyond your skill level.

I think you're misunderstanding what I mean when I say with interest. I mean putting it cross court.

 

[LeeD]

If you cannot hit a winner, you DO NOT volley or 1/2 volley crosscourt!
Unless your baseline opponent cannot run, or just fell down.
CC approach is the LOSING strategy for losers. A low or half volley IS an approach shot.

 

[dknotty]

If you cannot hit a winner, you DO NOT volley or 1/2 volley crosscourt!
Unless your baseline opponent cannot run, or just fell down.
CC approach is the LOSING strategy for losers. A low or half volley IS an approach shot.

So what do you suggest? Play is serve out wide (deuce court), return is a fast low DTL to my backhand. I'm at the service line when the return comes in.

Are you saying a cross court volley is a bad play?

 

[LeeD]

Read my post again!
If you go CC, you went CC with an approach shot, already established by the b etter players here ....NOT a good idea, unless you think it can be a clean winner.
Going DTL, you hit behind your opponent, but more important, you can cover the DTL because you're already there, and you plan to lunge CC if your opponent hits CC passing attempt.
Very few of us can hit clean winners CC off a low or half volley. If you can, disrergard what I say. What I say is up to 5.0 level volleying.

 

[torpantennis]

Possibly there is a flaw in your thinking, and philosophy, that is going to prevent you from playing successful all court tennis.
If your opponent hits a screeming meemie low and at your feet, you do NOT need to reply with a hard hit fast winner. In fact, percentages are in your favor if you just shovel it back deep, move another 2 steps forwards, and get ready to put the next ball away.
WHY? you ask. Consider the other way around. YOUR opponent comes to net, you blast a 85mph screeming topspin at his feet, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? I'll tell, you. You are thinking you have won the point. If the opponent tries to reply with a screaming winner, YOU WILL HAVE WON THE POINT.
IF, OTOH, your opponent just half/low volleys it back deep to your court, what is your mindset? NOW, you are confused, mad, your winner didn't work, and you're going to BLAST the next shot even harder!
Right?
So, just shovel it back deep, move forwards 2 steps, anticipate getting a faster passing shot, but keep the lob in mind, and allow him to hit his clean winner IF HE CAN.
IF HE CAN, he is beyond your skill level.

I, think, it's true. My mindset is just so much centered on trying to have control of my own destiny. If you approach net, you lose that control. The minset there should rather be: "Now let's see if you're good enough to beat me!"

OTOH, now I think I know a good baseline strategy. I'll lure the opponents to the net. I've got good passing shots off both wings, esp. the BH. And I love having a target. This strategy will drive the opponents nuts.

And your idea of practicing volleys behind the service line is good. It also gives longer reaction time for me and for the hitting partner on the baseline.

 

[LeeD]

To play net lots, you have to be willing to allow for some opponent's winners, allow for your own errors, while factoring in the chances of your success.
Say 20 points at net.
A good opponent might win 7 with clean winners! That's OK.
You should win 8 with your winners.
That leaves 5 mistakes that might determine the outcome of your match!
You can't control that, but try to limit your blunders.
THAT is the mindset of a net player playing against a peer.

 

[torpantennis]

I played doubles today. I volleyed much better by starting from the service line, rather than close to net, then I took tiny steps forward, split stepped, and then hit the volley. After hitting the volley, I backed up and started the footwork pattern again from close to service line. Is this the generally accepted way of doing the volleying footwork, or am I doing something that I shouldn't?

 

[tennis_ocd]

I played doubles today. I volleyed much better by starting from the service line, rather than close to net, then I took tiny steps forward, split stepped, and then hit the volley. After hitting the volley, I backed up and started the footwork pattern again from close to service line. Is this the generally accepted way of doing the volleying footwork, or am I doing something that I shouldn't?

During the match or just volley practice? I don't think you should ever be thinking about backing up after hitting a volley. Keep them low and keep moving forward.

 

[torpantennis]

During the match or just volley practice? I don't think you should ever be thinking about backing up after hitting a volley. Keep them low and keep moving forward.

It was a practice match. Of course moving backwards is problematic if there's not enough time. I did it because the footwork just felt more natural if I was moving forward before hitting the ball. If I'm too close to the net, there's just no room for any further forward movement and I feel like standind still and not being in an athletic position. The slight forward weight transfer during the volley was then like a continuum of the forward movement with the split step in-between.

BTW, notice the timing of moving backwards. I only moved backward so much that I had enough time to then start moving forwards again before split stepping when the opponent touches the ball. So a lot of back and forth movement. Is this generally accepted as a good practice?

 

[dknotty]

I played doubles today. I volleyed much better by starting from the service line, rather than close to net, then I took tiny steps forward, split stepped, and then hit the volley. After hitting the volley, I backed up and started the footwork pattern again from close to service line. Is this the generally accepted way of doing the volleying footwork, or am I doing something that I shouldn't?

Once you're right at the net don't move back. After your first few encounters with 'the dipper' you'll understand why.

 

[LeeD]

Defensive minded that I am, and unable to cover lobs over my head that land within 3' of the baseline, my starting position at net in doubles is center of my service court/box.
Moving around when you don't know where the ball is going is a recipe for strolling into the wrong position....lob return of serve while you are moving forwards to splitstep.
Some hard core deperate to win guys might call you on Hindrance, saying you distracted them for no good reason.

 

[josofo]

i solid 4.0 in my town never hits volleys. but he just ts off on short balls and hits the lines and rarely misses. he allso stays back always in doubles.

 

[TheCheese]

WRONG!
After you serve, if the returner hits low, you don't get inside the service line.
After a good approach shot, you barely get inside the service line, which leaves you LOTS of 1/2 volleys and shoetop volleys against a decent player....maybe not YOUR competition, a 3.5, but certainly against 4.5's and better.

Not sure what you're talking about. I play around 4.5/5.0 level. Most of my approach shots are not coming back.

 

[GuyClinch]

If you are a 3.0 - 3.5 doubles player I don't think the 2 up formation is the best way to force you to get more volleys. You will actually get more overheads.

I would work with your partner to get more poaching opportunities. Have your partner serve up the t - when he is successful you should try to poach. This is because its hard to angle around the net player and hit balls that land in the alley in this situation - so they have to hit back cross court or up the middle.

Other then that a ball machine is great for volleys.. I'd set the machine on super low and slow topspin shots that just clear the net though. Thats the kind of weak stuff you get back in low level doubles. Its not often you play some guy who rips in from the backcourt - and if you do you probably can't beat him anyway.

 

[LeeD]

The Cheese....
NO doubt YOU are 4.5-5.0.
But if none of your approach shots are coming back your way, what level is your competition?
I"m a middlin 4.0. Very few of my approach shots come back my way when I play against 3.5.s, less against 3.0's.
BUT, playing 4.5's, most come back with interest.
And playing 5.5's, all come back mostly for winners.
Remember, you quoted "approach shots". What IS an approach shot? I know, and it's NOT an attempt at a clean winner.