Volley question... when the ball comes straight to your mid section, what to do?

[firstblud]

what's the proper technique to hitting a volley on a ball that is quickly coming back straight on to your midsection? backhand volley or try to sidestep to the left with a forehand volley?

or hold your racket like a sword and block the ball?

 

[Rickson]

what's the proper technique to hitting a volley on a ball that is quickly coming back straight on to your midsection? backhand volley or try to sidestep to the left with a forehand volley?

or hold your racket like a sword and block the ball?

Backhand volley.

 

[Punisha]

slap it back with my foot long sub

 

[paulfreda]

Lift your right arm elbow up in the air pointing to the side fence [while in an open stance facing the net] so the strings are on your stomach.
As Rickson said, then hit a BH volley.

Helps to keep the face just slightly open to avoid netting a ball with lots of backspin.

 

[Supernatural_Serve]

what's the proper technique to hitting a volley on a ball that is quickly coming back straight on to your midsection? backhand volley or try to sidestep to the left with a forehand volley?

or hold your racket like a sword and block the ball?

it depends on where the shot eminated from that's bearing down on my mid-section. Far left, I'll step and use a forehand.

For all else, Left, Center, Right, Far Right, I will use a backhand volley.

 

[fuzz nation]

Yes, it sort of depends on where the ball is coming from, but I also don't think there's a rock solid answer for this because the shot is often improvised. I'll use that backhand motion described above sometimes (it woks), but I'll also occasionally turn to my right and hit the ball by tucking the racquet in behind me - I catch it after it passes across my mid section.

What's key for these shots is making a very quick move to get in position for either a forehand or backhand volley and watching the ball all the way on to your strings (at least try to). Your brain will actually do a pretty good job of getting the strings on the ball if you stick with it until contact.

If you can occasionally have a pal pepper you with rapid fire volleys (I'm talking quick successtion, but not bullets) you can really get comfortable with those quick reaction shots. I consider this drill to be as valuable as hitting the obligatory bucket of serves from time to time.

 

[dave333]

I agree with Rickson. Backhand volley.

 

[DrewRafter8]

Protect thyself...

with a backhand volley

 

[VolklVenom]

bckhnd Volley.
I get a "Sampras visual" everytime i try to put this question into words.

 

[Bagumbawalla]

Actually, a ball to the midsection is not that bad, just "sweep" the racket into position and backhand volley the ball back. When the ball comes at your racket-side armpit or just above the hip some gymnastics may be necessary.

 

[JavierLW]

it depends on where the shot eminated from that's bearing down on my mid-section. Far left, I'll step and use a forehand.

For all else, Left, Center, Right, Far Right, I will use a backhand volley.

Are you left handed?

 

[Vision84]

Backhand volley and instead of stepping across your body with your right foot (assuming you are right handed) step away from your body shifting your mid section to your right.

 

[stnick]

Backhand volley and instead of stepping across your body with your right foot (assuming you are right handed) step away from your body shifting your mid section to your right.

Is this the same as taking a backward step across your body with your non-dominant foot? That's what I was taught as a kid and still do to this day... and then backhand volley.