The tennis drill book-2e

26 The Tennis Drill Book
When two or more players are rallying back and forth across the net from
baseline to baseline and a player achieves the goal of gaining control of the
net by hitting an approach shot off the opponent's short shot, the next shot
up at the net will be the volley. The volley is less technically complicated
than the forehand, backhand, or even the serve, but being exact is extremely
important. Volleying is about precise timing, footwork, and maneuvering.
Volleying used to be as easy as putting one foot in front of the other. The
technique just wasn't as complicated as the many different steps needed to
hit groundstrokes. The stroking technique of the basic volley is the same on
either side of the body, except that on the backhand, as on groundstrokes,
contact must occur further out in front of the body than it does on the forehand.
When hitting the volley, a good initial split step is key to a player’s
positioning and balance on the court. The split step readies the player to react
to the oncoming passing shot in any given direction. Nowadays given the
excessive spin and speed of most shots, it will take more than a split step,
cross step, and short, abrupt punch to return shots effectively.
The adjustments needed to hit an aggressive volley must be quick and
precise. Once players commit to volleying, they must follow it through. If
players back away from the net when in position to hit a volley or overhead,
they will almost always lose the point. Players need to have confidence in
their footwork and strokes to be successful when hitting this aggressive shot.
The wrist and grip should be strong for a put-away volley; the grip loosens
slightly for a drop volley. This is not a powder puff push or rally shot. The
objective is not trying to keep the ball in play; it is to end the point—hit a
winner. This chapter explains the styles, describes the technique, and offers
drills that will help players successfully integrate volleying into their game.