Win more points at the net
Even if you are not a net rusher it is good to have another way to win a point. Djokovic beat Medvedev by using a serve and volley tactic knowing his opponent was standing further back, he showed that he can change his game under pressure. Murray also changed his tactic against Tsipas and decided to volley to his backhand knowing that he makes more errors on that side when under pressure.
Think back to your last game and how many points did you win at the net ?
Here are some quick tips to improve next time you charge in….
1 – Move in with intent – move in with confidence and to put pressure on you opponent. By moving in it will reduce the time of your opponent and will rush them often leading to unforced errors. For those football fans the thought of Peter Schmeichel ‘the great Dane’ looking big put fear into his opponents when closing the striker down.
2 – Pick the right time to come in . It is important that you either sneak in when they are not expecting it or charge in after a good approach shot. The approach is best to be hit down the line and to the opponents weaker side i.e. backhand. Generally a low flat short works well as they will have to hit the ball up and gives you more of a chance for a high volley
2 – Close the net – Pat Rafter used to train moving in practising big strides to close the net with speed and balance. Think of a triple jumper striding down the track before jumping into the pit. once you have moved in you will ned to take a split step or at least find a low ready position ready to spring in any direction.
3 – Position yourself – too far back and you will get a tricky half volley , too far forward you will get lobbed. Players should be off centre i.e. hit to the right corner move off the centre line towards the right side line.
4 – Get ready and find your grip – ensure you a have chopper grip as a default grip, this can change but is the most used grip for volleys above your hands ready for a low or high volley.
5 – Contact infront – this helps easily manipulate the racket face to where you want the ball to go. It requires little swing if any at all in which the key is where the racket faces. If you have less of a swing it is easy to control the racket face to the target area i.e. deep, backhand or drop shot.
Groups Available to help you improve your volley this week include Monday 6:30, Wednesday 7:30pm, Thursday 7:30pm for Adults.
