Volleying with a continental grip

[Hot Sauce]

I had some troubles today volleying with a continental grip. I'm NOT unfamiliar to this grip, but I noticed I couldn't get any power or offense on my volleys. My backhand volleys were fine, but I couldn't figure out how to volley very offensively and strong with a continental grip on my FOREHAND. Anyone have tips or videos?

 

[warneck]

Okay. First of all.
There are 3 ways to volley:
- No backswing / Just a chip. Usually this is used on a fast paced incoming ball which needs nothing than a clean hit and placement.
- Some backswing. If its about a medium paced and somewhat inaccurate incoming ball you can use this.
- Full backswing or Drive-volley. If its a loopy and slow ball coming at you, then you can use this kind of volley and most likely hit a clean winner.

I can't seem to state it enough: Use your body! Like any other shot in your arsenal you should use your body for what its worth. I guess you aint facing both shoulders at the net when preparing to serve? Or starting with the racquet high? Or standing 100% still and only using your arm at the forehand?

Good footwork is top pri to having a good volley. Use your feet to position the body and accelerate through the shot. Step into the volley with your upper body and use your torso if needed.

 

[superbooga]

Another tip is to keep your head still and close to the racquet. Doing this will also force you to step towards the ball and bend down when necessary.

 

[Mountain Ghost]

Forehand Volley with a Continental Grip

You mention “power” and “offense”, which are both somewhat “forward leaning” visualizations. On a forehand volley with a continental grip, you must resist the temptation to hit the ball too far out in front of you. You should hit it more by your side, no farther forward than your leading knee. If there is ANY “forward” visualization that would be helpful, it would be that of a “leading” elbow, which should be pointed downward and positioned ahead of the racket during the preparation. This will, by the way, be difficult to do if your body is leaning too far forward.

Many players, and even some coaches, seem to be obsessed with forward motion in their quest to gain power. But they sometimes don’t consider the negative impact that blind addiction to forward movement can have on posture, positioning and technique. On the forehand volley in particular, I would advise focusing on the shoulders being up and away from the ball, even if it means having to lean back at times, so that the proper distance from the ball, elbow attitude and volley technique can be maintained.

Also, while waiting for the ball and remembering to not hit the volley too far out in front of you, be sure that the racket head is positioned higher than the level of the approaching ball.

MG

 

[Bagumbawalla]

The advice, above is good. One thing that I would add is that the volley (with a continental grip) requires a bit of strength.

Basically, during a groundstroke, you get your whole body moving to start the swing, and you have time to build up momentum.

With the volley, you create the force/racket speed all within a few inches of space.

So, practice strengthening the forearm(s). Practice hitting the volley against a wall to build up consistency, strenght, and technique.

Stand about 6-8 feet away from the wall and keep the ball in play without letting it hit the court for as long as you can. Several weeks of this practice should help overcome your problem.

 

[Frank Silbermann]

If the wall returns the ball too fast for you to practice volleying, start out by hitting continental grip forehand slices and flat shots against the wall. That should train your hand and wrist for the forehand volley.

That's why, years ago, people who used the continental grip for their ground-strokes tended to be superior net players. The volley grips felt natural to them.

Nowadays, because kids with talent get sent to intensive training camps, they are taught to master multiple styles and grips, each optimal for a different aspect of play.

A side benefit of this approach to volley training is that you can use your continental flat-slice shot from the back court when you are stretched out wide.