Technical Volley Masterclass from One of the Best Volleyers of all Time

Key Points

• The “left foot in front stance” helps you react and move quickly to the lob
• “You have to want the ball”
• Knees have to be bent slightly inwards in the split step position
• Your head should follow your racket and be as close to the racket head as possible
• If there is too much space between your head and your racket, you can lose connection with your racket
• Following your racket with your head helps with an early shoulder turn
• Keep the left arm close to the racket, moving both hands together
• You lose time at the net when you tip the racket up, so work on keeping it level, straight out in front of the body
• Position yourself in the center of the service box
• Stand with the left foot in front and the right foot back, so you are toe to heel
• Stay on your toes with the pressure on the inside of your feet
• Never let your racket go behind your shoulder, as it will cause too big of a swing
• The legs do the movement for you, not the arm
• Move forward for your volley and then recover back to your base position
• If you use your legs and your racket is in a good position, you’ll have more stability on faster balls
• Meeting the ball out in front and moving towards the volley allows your nervous system to pick up the ball faster
• “If you’re compact and aggressive enough you will make time”
• Your wrist shouldn’t be too bent on the backhand volley, as you lose stability and can catch balls late
• Work on keeping your wrist straight so you can handle pace and be in a stronger position with your body
• Focus on keeping the head close to the racket with a nice follow through
• Low and wide stance, with the feet a little wider than the shoulders
• Keep the elbow bent so you have more strength behind the volley and can engage your whole body
• Try not to bend the wrist
• If you plant your right foot too early or too late, your core won’t engage and you’ll be weak and off balance
• Try to plant your foot as you’re making contact with the ball so you have strength all the way from the ground up to your racket
• The racket shouldn’t go past your shoulder
• Meet the ball out in front and make sure you’re driving forward with your back leg to generate power
• Position yourself in the middle of the box, giving up half the doubles alley
• If they pass you in a small window down the line “too good”
• Push with the left leg, lean with the right and step with the left for the wide forehand volley
• Push with the right leg, lean with the left and step with the right to cover the wide backhand volley
• Use the back leg to push on your forehand and backhand volleys
• Move in a V shape