Transition Footwork & Drills Used by Coco Gauff

Key Points

• Coaches will teach kids groundstrokes and volleys, while mistakenly neglecting the vitally important transition to the net
• Transitioning to the net can be off a short ball or when you are pulled into the net and have no choice but to volley
• Recognise the ball is shorter or slower, and move forward
• Coco Gauff would constantly work on transition drills with Sly from a young age
• Professional players can make the transition into the net on any ball
• If you hit a great shot and you see your opponent is late to the ball or they are opening their racket face, they will most likely give you a short ball
• “Moving through” the approach shot helps you get into a better position at the net
• Recognise the ball is shorter, move to the ball and then move through the ball
• Try to anticipate and “read” when your opponent is going to hit a short ball
• If you hit a great shot, run straight into the net as fast as you can to surprise your opponent
• Continue to move through the volley, rather than stopping
• In some cases, you may decide you are going to hit and come to the net before you hit the ball