The tennis drill book-2e

26. CHIP APPROACH AND TOUCH VOLLEY
Objective
To introduce the beginning stages of finesse skills and in time create the rhythmic
footwork needed for those kinds of shots.
Description
Touch shots (finesse shots) in tennis require players to develop a sense of being
able to feel the ball on the racket. Developing good touch (feel) adds a new
dimension to any player’s game. This technique affords players more placement
strategy than just plain smacking the ball 100 percent of the time. Placement
more than power wins points, not the other way around.
Execution
Players form two lines—one line behind the deuce court and the other behind
the advantage-court. The first player in the deuce line hits an approach shot
fed in by a server down the singles sideline. The player then moves diagonally
forward to approach the net and hits a touch volley. The player then proceeds
to the end of the advantage-court line. One side hits a forehand approach and a
backhand touch volley crosscourt, and the other side hits a backhand approach
with a forehand touch volley. Players can start the drill slowly and gradually
increase the pace of the rotation to work on developing a quick split step and
close in diagonally to the net to hit the volley.
Tip
All players should remember that developing a touch game or finesse game
makes any player a smarter and more dangerous competitor to reckon with.
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34 The Tennis Drill Book