Technique #1 To Use Against Weak Slow
Serves (see additional tips below video)
Picture this scenario: You’re playing a match against an opponent who is solid from the baseline, however, his serve is weak and slow. You’re trying to take advantage of his weakness but you’re making way too many errors on the return of serve. As you may know, it’s tougher to be consistent against a slow ball as compared to someone who hits hard. When you’re playing against a hard hitter you can get into a rhythm, there’s not a lot of thinking, you’re sticking the racquet out there. Remember this, it takes better stroke mechanics to hit a slow ball consistently in the court. In the video above, there are 2 Key points to remember: #1.) at the low point of your backswing the racquet should be closed (or facing down), #2.) swing from the shoulder with as little forearm and wrist movement as possible and your racquet is guaranteed to be vertical at contact. After contact, the hitting arm relaxes and comes up across the body, at this point it doesn’t matter if you roll the forearm and wrist the ball is long gone. However, if you’re trying to roll the forearm and wrist in the hitting or contact area, it’s going to be hit or miss, it will be very difficult to develop confidence in hitting away against slow serves.
See some additional tips on how to improve your forehand volley below the video clip.
When players have trouble with volleys it’s usually because they’re doing too much, MORE than they need to and not keeping it simple. Our unconscious mind may be telling us that to hit a shot correctly is not so simple, therefore we do MORE than we need to. So what’s the moral of the story? When we do more than we need to the racquet gets out of position, this is what causes errors.
In the above video the first key point to remember is ‘Make a Target for the Ball’. This is key for consistent volleys. Usually, when players make mistakes the mistake is made on the backswing. Now don’t get confused when I say backswing, I’m not talking about the backhand, you have a backswing on your forehand and backhand. The backswing starts at the ready position, then you bring your racquet back, this is the backswing. As you bring your racquet back it is ALL considered the backswing , the backswing is not finished, UNTIL you start to swing forward. THIS PART OF YOUR SWING (THE BACKSWING) IS CRUCIAL TO CONSISTENCY. Why? Because if you have a technically sound backswing the racquet does not get out of position and this MAKES THE FORWARD SWING A WHOLE LOT EASIER.
When you go out to practice with a friend or with a ball machine keep telling yourself to ‘Make a Target for the Ball’. And remember if you take the racquet back too far, or in other words, if you have TOO MUCH BACKSWING, there is no longer a target for the ball and the chances you’ll make an error have dramatically increased. As you make a conscious effort to concentrate on ‘making that target for the ball’ you will see a dramatic improvement in your volleys. And remember, when you ‘Make a Target for the Ball’ you are keeping your backswing short and simple. You’re probably doing LESS than you would normally do. However, as far as volleys are concerned, LESS is MORE, more consistency and accuracy.
There are plenty of tips in the Extensive Video Lessons Archives that will help you take your game up a notch, I invite you to check it out, it’s well worth it.
As your personal coach, I look forward to helping those in the AVERY Tennis Inner Circle and answering any questions or concerns. My goal is to help you improve and keep growing as a player.
All the best and happy hitting,
Tom
