How to Volley in Tennis: The Ultimate Guide

How to Volley in Tennis: The Ultimate Guide

If you’re looking to improve your tennis game, learning how to volley is a great place to start. In this guide, we’ll show you everything you need to know about volleying, from the basics to more advanced techniques. By the time you’re finished reading, you’ll be a pro at volleying and your opponents will be scrambling to keep up!

Introduction

In tennis, the volley is a shot hit before the ball bounces on the ground. Volleys are usually hit close to the net, with the intention of not allowing your opponent to get their racket on the ball. Volleys can be hit with different parts of your racket: forehand, backhand, overhead and so on.

Volleys are an important part of tennis, as they can help you win points quickly. If you are able to return your opponent’s serve with a well-placed volley, they will be under pressure to make a difficult shot in order to stay in the point.

learning how to volley properly can take your game to the next level and make you a difficult opponent for anyone you play against. In this guide, we will cover everything you need to know about volleying in tennis, from the basics of how to hit a volley to more advanced topics such as strategic shot placement.

The Basics of Volleying

Volleying is a stroke in tennis where the ball is hit before it bounces on the ground. This can be done either off a serve or after the ball has bounced once on your side of the court. When volleying, you want to hit the ball with a high degree of precision. In this guide, we will cover all you need to know about volleying in tennis, from the basics to the advanced techniques.

The Grip

One-handed backhands can be used with different grips. The most common grip for a one-handed backhand is the Continental Grip. To adopt this grip, place the base knuckle of your index finger on bevel one of your racket. From there, wrap your hand around the racket so that your thumb comes to rest opposite your little finger (on bevel five or six).

For a two-handed backhand, you have a few different grip options. The most common is the eastern backhand grip, which is similar to the continental grip but with both hands. For this grip, both hands should be placed on the racket with the base knuckles of the index fingers on bevel one. The eastern forehand is also an option for two-handed backhands. This grip is similar to the eastern backhand but reversed, so that the base knuckles of the index fingers are on bevel five or six.

There are also semi-western and western grips, but these are much less common for two-handed backhands. If you use a semi-western grip, your dominant hand will be placed on bevel five or six (opposite for lefties), and your non-dominant hand will be in an eastern forehand position. For a western grip, both hands will be on bevel five or six (opposite for lefties).

The Stance

Volleying in tennis is all about being quick and efficient. The stance is critical in achieving this. Remember, you won’t have time to take a big backswing, so you need to be as close to the ball as possible.

There are two main types of stances – closed and open. A closed stance is where your feet are shoulder-width apart and pointing directly at the net, while an open stance has one foot pointing towards the net and the other behind you.

Which stance you use will depend on your personal preference and playing style, but we recommend beginners start with a closed stance. This will give you more balance and stability when making contact with the ball.

The Swing

The most important thing to master when it comes to volleying is your swing. A good volley swing is compact and explosive, and follows through low to the ground. The biggest mistake beginners make is taking a big backswing – this will not only take too long, but will also telegraph your intentions to your opponent, who will have time to get in position and make the shot more difficult.

When you swing, imagine that you’re trying to hit the ball with the sweet spot of your racket – this will help you make contact with the ball in the ideal spot. As you swing, your non-dominant hand should guide the racket head; once you’ve made contact with the ball, follow through low to the ground. This will give you more power and control over your shot.

The Types of Volleys

Though there are only four main types of volleys, there are an endless number of ways you can slice and dice them. That’s what makes tennis so interesting. The game is ever-evolving, with new players finding new ways to win old points. In this guide, we’ll show you the four main types of volleys and how to hit them.

The Overhead Volley

One of the most important strokes in tennis, the overhead volley is used when the ball is too high for a normal volley, usually near the top of the net. The stroke is similar to a serve, but instead of hitting the ball with a downward motion, you hit it with an upward motion.

This stroke can be difficult to master, but it’s essential for advanced players. When executed correctly, the overhead volley will result in a powerful shot that’s difficult for your opponent to return.

Here are some tips for hitting an overhead volley:
-Stand close to the ball and swing your racket up and over your head.
-Strike the ball with an upward motion and make contact near the top of the net.
-Follow through with your swing and finish above your head.
-Keep your non-racket hand up to help balance yourself.

The Approach Volley

The approach volley is perhaps the most important volley in tennis. It is hit when you are approaching the net and have time to set up for the shot. The key to hitting an effective approach volley is to get your racquet in front of the ball and hit it cleanly. This will give you control of the point and put your opponent on the defensive.

There are two main types of approach volleys: the drive volley and the block volley. The drive volley is hit with topspin and is used to keep your opponent deep in the court. The block volley is hit with little or no spin and is used to keep the ball low and close to the net.

Which type of approach volley you hit will depend on your opponent’s position and the pace of the ball. If your opponent is far back in the court, you will want to use a drive volley to keep them deep. If they are close to the net, you will want to use a block volley to keep the ball low. If the ball is coming at you quickly, you will want to use a drive volley to control it. If the ball is coming at you slowly, you will want to use a block volleyto keep it low.

The main thing to remember with an approach volley is that you want to get your racquet in front of the ball and hit it cleanly. This will give you control of the point and put your opponent on the defensive.

The Lob Volley

A lob volley is hit when the ball is high in the air and deep in the court. It requires excellent timing and an ability to generate power from a static position. Because you will be hitting the ball at its apex, you will need to use a light grip and generate power from your shoulder and elbow rather than your wrist. This stroke is used sparingly as it is very difficult to control.

Tennis Drills for Volleying

If you want to improve your volleying skills in tennis, there are some key drills you can do to help you. In this guide, we’ll go over some of the best drills to help you master the volley.

The Balloon Drill

This is a great tennis drill for beginners because it forces you to keep the ball in play and really pay attention to where your opponents are.

Here’s how it works: both you and your partner start at the service line. One of you hits the ball up into the air, and the other has to hit it back before it hits the ground. The aim is to keep the ball up in the air for as long as possible – sort of like a game of ‘ keepy-uppy’! You can only hit the ball once each time it comes to you, so you have to make sure you hit it properly.

If you hit the ball out, or if it hits the ground, then you have to run and collect it before your opponent can hit it back. The first person to 10 points wins the game.

The Wall Drill

One of the best ways to improve your volleying technique is to practice against a wall. This tennis drill is called the “wall drill” and it’s a great way to get a feel for how to properly swing and hit the ball when volleying.

Here’s how to do the wall drill:

1. Find a wall that you can hit the ball against. An alleyway or driveway is ideal, but any flat surface will do.

2. Stand about two feet away from the wall, with your racket in hand.

3. Bounce the ball against the wall, using your racket to hit it back. Try to keep the ball in play for as long as possible.

4. As you get comfortable with this tennis drill, increase your distance from the wall and/or try different strokes (forehand, backhand, etc.).

The Partner Drill

To start, both players should be at the service line with one player serving to the other. The player who is receiving service should be standing at the baseline ready to return the ball. The player who is serving should hit the ball so that it goes over the net and bounces in front of the receiver at a comfortable height for them to volleying. The receiver should then volley the ball back over the net. The aim of this drill is for both players to get as many volleys in as possible without hitting the ball out or letting it bounce more than once.

Conclusion

In conclusion, volleying is an important skill to master in tennis. It can be the difference between winning and losing a match. With practice, anyone can learn how to volley like a pro. Just remember to keep your racket up, hit the ball in front of you, and follow through with your swing. And if you ever find yourself in a tight spot, don’t forget to use the dropshot!