Essential Volleying Footwork Masterclass

Key Points

• Extra movement at the net can kill you
• On the backhand volley, turn your shoulders without moving your hands, taking the racket back to the left shoulder
• Imagine there is a glass shield behind you that will break if you take the racket back
• Shoulders turn the top half and the foot turns the hips
• Swing is about a foot and a half long
• Footwork is very important at the net, as you take balls and redirect them
• “Closing volley” - Push off the left foot and step with the right
• “Body Volley” - Step to the left and then forward with the right foot
• “Wide Balls” Push with the right, step with the left and then forward with the right
• Efficiency of movement is critical
• Shadow these movements to perfect it
• Racket stays in line with the right shoulder
• Keep the racket at head height
• Keep the left hand close to the right hand
• Continuously practice all of these movements
• “Closing volley” - Push off the right foot and step with the left
• “Body Volley” - Step to the right and then forward with the left foot
• “Wide Balls” Push with the left, step with the right and then forward with the left foot