Introduction to Volleying in Tennis
Volleying in tennis is an important skill that all players should master. It is the ability to hit a shot while the ball is in the air, before it bounces. It is a great way to put pressure on your opponent and can be a great way to win a point. In this article, we will look at how to volley in tennis for beginners. We will look at the different types of volleys, the basic fundamentals, and how to practice your volleys.
Types of Volleys
When it comes to volleying, there are a few different types. The most common are the forehand and backhand volleys. These are both shots that are hit with the same basic technique, but with different grips. The forehand volley is hit with a regular grip and the backhand volley is hit with a more open grip.
In addition to the forehand and backhand volleys, there are also the overhead and the drop volley. The overhead volley is hit when the ball is above the player’s head, while the drop volley is hit when the ball is lower than the player’s waist.
Basic Fundamentals of Volleying
Before you can start volleying in tennis, you need to understand the basic fundamentals. The first thing you need to do is get into the right position. You should be slightly crouched, with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent. You should also have your racket in the ready position, with your non-dominant hand at the top of the grip and your dominant hand at the bottom.
The next thing you need to do is get your racket in the correct position. You should have your racket at an angle, with the strings facing the direction that you want to hit the ball. You should also have your racket slightly lower than your waist, so that you can get the most power out of your shot.
Once you are in the right position and you have your racket in the correct position, you need to make sure that you are ready to hit the ball. This means that you need to have your weight on your front foot, and you should be balanced.
Hitting the Volley
Now that you are in the correct position and you have your racket in the correct position, you can start to hit the volley. When hitting the volley, the most important thing to remember is to hit the ball as soon as you can. You should make contact with the ball as soon as it is in front of you, so that you can put as much power into the shot as possible.
When hitting a volley, you should also make sure to keep your racket head up. This will help you to keep the ball in the court and will also help you to put more spin on the ball.
Footwork
When it comes to volleying, footwork is also an important factor. You should always be moving your feet when you are volleying, so that you can get into the perfect position to hit the ball. You should also be aware of your opponent’s position, so that you can move into the right position to hit the ball before they do.
Practicing Your Volleys
Once you understand the basics of volleying, you can start to practice your volleys. One way to practice is to set up a practice session with a friend. You can both hit volleys back and forth and work on improving your technique.
You can also practice by yourself by hitting volleys against a wall. This will help you to get a feel for the ball and will also help you to work on your technique.
Tips for Volleying
When you are volleying, there are a few tips that you should keep in mind. The first is to keep your body and racket still when you are hitting the ball. You should also keep the ball low, so that it is hard for your opponent to return the shot. Finally, you should always keep your eye on the ball and be ready to move into position quickly.
When to Volley
When it comes to volleying, timing is everything. You should only volley when you know that you can make contact with the ball. You should also be aware of your opponent’s position, so that you can move into position before they do.
Volleying Drills
Once you understand the basics of volleying, you can start to work on your technique with different drills. Here are a few drills that you can try:
Forehand Volley Drill
- Start by standing about 5 feet away from a wall.
- Hit a forehand volley at the wall.
- Move into position quickly and hit the ball back.
- Repeat this drill 10 times.
Backhand Volley Drill
- Start by standing about 5 feet away from a wall.
- Hit a backhand volley at the wall.
- Move into position quickly and hit the ball back.
- Repeat this drill 10 times.
Overhead Volley Drill
- Start by standing about 5 feet away from a wall.
- Hit an overhead volley at the wall.
- Move into position quickly and hit the ball back.
- Repeat this drill 10 times.
Drop Volley Drill
- Start by standing about 5 feet away from a wall.
- Hit a drop volley at the wall.
- Move into position quickly and hit the ball back.
- Repeat this drill 10 times.
Conclusion
Volleying in tennis is an important skill that all players should master. It is the ability to hit a shot while the ball is in the air, before it bounces. It is a great way to put pressure on your opponent and can be a great way to win a point. In this article, we looked at how to volley in tennis for beginners. We looked at the different types of volleys, the basic fundamentals, and how to practice your volleys. With practice and dedication, you can master the art of volleying and become a better player.