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THE VOLLEY
There are a few reasons why players are not improving their net game today. One is that players are not coming in to net as much and the teaching of the volley has not evolved. This particular methodology seems to be consistent across the board, and hasn’t changed for decades. These rules have a tendency to govern the art of volleying: always move at an angle to cut the ball off, always move forward, turn your shoulders and body, squeaky feet or always moving your feet, racket always stays in front, and punch the volley. Always should never be used as a learning tool because it prevents any individuality. In other words, when you are experimenting you should be allowed to find out what feels best for you. These types of concrete rules interfere with any chance of developing natural movement and flow. The volley should follow these simple rules; it should feel easy, have a rhythm, and flow around the net. This description should not be different just because you’re at the net. These rules imply something entirely different.There is a major distinction between a first volley, which typically has foreword momentum, and a second volley, which usually requires the player to create a movement foreword, backward or sideways. Most players are taught the technique of a first volley for a second volley. For example, always moving forward on a second volley is incorrect and unnatural. You will feel off balance, get passed easily and be very vulnerable to the lob. Much like great ground stokers, when you watch great volleyers it looks easy and not rushed. There is a sense of flow, rhythm, and ease to every stroke and the volley should be the same. If the ball is fast your stroke is shorter, if you have more time the stroke is longer, etc. If you have a pre-determined position as to where or how far the racket goes back, you will be very limited as to what you can create with the volley.
If you really want to improve your volley, here is my suggestion, start getting to net more often in realistic situations. If it’s during sets or drills that allow you to move forward, you must learn the whole skill in addition to some technical aspects. Too much time is spent five feet from the net trying to perfect the volley. Great volleyers become great because of the amount of time they came into net. Sounds too simple right? Current teaching methods have become so structured and complicated. Get rid of the restrictive rules, take a swing at the volley if you have time, and don’t be afraid to experiment. When I truly developed my volleys - everything about it was different than I had ever been told. You can email me if you would like some specific drills.
