Wouldn't it be great if all we had to do was to drink a can of "Volley Cola" and be able to hit
perfect volleys all the time? Unfortunalety, tennis just doesn't work that way. Moreover,
volleys are really easy. In fact, think of volleys as ground strokes with less work. You don't
need to take your racquet back as far because you are closer to the net and you really
don't need to swing at all. Learn to love to volley. In this lesson we will cover a few of the
basics to having great volleys - the proper grip, being in the proper ready position, the
split step, proper footwork and form, contact point and putting them away. So, with a
positive attitude towards volleys, you will soon look like you drank the whole can of volley
cola!
CHAPTER ONE:
The Continental Grip
First, the grip that you want to have up at the net is the old continental grip. At first you
may be tempted to use your forehand or backhand grip to volley with, but the continental
grip is the best grip to be able to impart slice and angle, as we will cover later. For this
grip you want the base of your index finger on the first bevel on the right. The easiest way
to do this is to lie your racquet standing up and grab it. Here is a diagram and some pics
to make it a little easier.
The Proper Ready Position
The proper ready position is sometimes called the athletic ready position. You should be alert, ready and on your toes with
your racquet out in front of you and have the racquet head at eye level. We've seen so many incorrect ready positions come
through the tennis center. Here are a few examples of how not to hold your racquet at the net.
too low. It is a common practice, and one that
does not look alert or fully ready. Below
the infraction is obvious.
position. In order to hit a volley, the player
would have to perform unnecessary movement. Below
the infraction is obvious.
The proper ready position at the net has your legs slightly bent with your racquet at eye level. In the pictures above, you can
see how far away from eye level the racquet really is. At eye level, you will be able to easily get to any volley. Here are a
couple of pictures to demonstrate.
Click the arrow to go to Chapter two of the volleys lesson.
Next: The split step