Are you looking to ace your volley shots in tennis? Volleys are an essential part of the game, and with the right practice, you can become a master at them. This guide will show you how to practice volleys so that you can perfect them on the court.
You’ll learn techniques for getting into position quickly, working on footwork drills, and improving accuracy when hitting volleys. Additionally, this article will provide tips on staying focused and avoiding common mistakes during gameplay. With these strategies in hand, you’ll be able to confidently approach each match and make your opponents think twice before challenging your net play!
How to Practice Volleys Quick Guide
A volley in tennis is a shot where the ball is hit before it bounces on your side of the court. Learning how to practice volleys can help improve your overall tennis game, as it requires quick thinking and precise placement of shots. Here are some drills for practicing volleys, continue below for more intel.
- Wall Ball
- Offense-Defense Volleys
- On Top of the Net Drill
How to Practice Volleys Drills
By following these tips, you should be able to nail how to practice volleys and improve both your accuracy and finesse. As with any sport, practice makes perfect!
Drill 1: Wall Ball
Hitting a ball against a wall is a traditional but effective way to improve your skills. It can help strengthen your forearm, improve accuracy and precision, and keep your swing compact.
One simple drill you can practice against the wall is repeating forehand and backhand volleys. Begin with 100 forehand volleys, then do 100 backhand volleys without taking a break. You don’t have to do them consecutively, and if you miss them, keep going. The closer you stand to the wall, the harder the drill becomes.
- To improve your strength training, make sure to keep your wrist firm and avoid doing the drill if you have a broken wrist.
- Remember to shift your weight onto your front leg and make small adjustments to your feet as needed.
- Stay low to feel a burn in your legs and avoid popping up during the drill.
- Keep your swing compact, as a big swing may cause you to rush or miss the ball.
- Finally, keep your head still but keep your eyes on the ball throughout the entire drill.
Drill 2: Offense-Defense Volleys
To enhance your net-closing skills and hand quickness, try this drill. The offensive player should begin a couple of feet behind the service line, while the defensive player should be positioned a couple of feet inside the service line.
Offensive player, follow these tips to improve your volleys:
- Make sure to stick your volleys with purpose.
- Move smoothly through each volley with a good rhythm, avoiding choppy steps.
- Stay square to the opponent to be prepared for forehand or backhand shots.
- Try to put away high floaters when you get them.
- Finish the point by putting the last ball away off the court.
As a defensive player:
- Maintain a solid and low stance to effectively handle the opponent’s shots.
- Endeavor to hit the ball towards the low areas of the court to prevent the attacker from striking it past you.
- Keep your wrist steady and avoid allowing it to give or you will struggle with quick shots.
Drill 3: On Top of the Net Drill
The “On Top of the Net Drill” involves two players, with one standing on the baseline and another standing very close to the net. The objective of the drill is not to have long rallies or establish a rhythm. If you manage to hit more than three or four balls consecutively, then you are not executing the drill properly.
- Make sure to keep your hands up at all times to avoid missing out on hitting the ball.
- Maintain a compact swing and try to meet the ball out front as much as possible.
- Hold your ground like a wall and resist the power of your opponent’s shots without falling back. The depth of your shot is not important, as long as you hit a forceful and accurate volley.
Recommended Tools to Practice Volleys
Tennis Swing Wrist Training Aid for Forehands, Backhands, Volleys and Serves
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The Tennis Swing Wrist Training Aid is the perfect tool for tennis players of all skill levels.
It helps you master forehands, backhands, and volleys and serves by teaching proper technique with an emphasis on a laid-back wrist angle.
With this training aid, you can hit with effortless power while building strength to relieve tennis elbow pain.
This one size fits most devices and accommodates arm sizes from 8-13 inches (circumference) and is suitable for both right and left-handed players. Perfect your game through regular practice and get closer to playing like the pros.
Tennis Swing Wrist Training Aid for Volleys
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The Tennis Swing Wrist Training Aid is the perfect tool for improving your volleys, forehands, and backhands.
It has an improved design with stronger tactile feedback to help you feel what the pros do when they play. It also makes a “snapping†sound when the wrist is laid back and an “unsnapping†sound when it returns to a neutral position.
This training aid uses an elastic band for comfortable continuous use so you can practice proper volleys, forehands, backhands, and slices with ease. It even helps correct the waiter’s tray serve!
Suitable for both right-handed and left-handed players, this one-size-fits (with a wrist circumference of 5in – 10in) tennis swing wrist aid is perfect for anyone looking to improve their game. With this product on hand, you will never have to worry about how to practice your volleys ever again!
FEIERDUN Tennis Trainer Rebound Ball Set
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The FEIERDUN Tennis Trainer Rebound Ball Set is the perfect choice if you’re looking for all-in-one tennis training equipment.
With two lightweight yet durable aluminum alloy rackets with outer ABS protective covers, two high elasticity and durability balls that are 15% thicker than what’s usually found in the market, a sturdy base filled with sand or water for max stability plus four non-slip sponge pads to increase friction, and a delicate tennis bag to store everything – this set has it all!
Beginners can use it to practice volleys, hitting and catching both indoors and outdoors like in courts, parks, backyards, or driveways. Get your own today so you can enjoy practicing tennis alone or with family and friends.
Common Questions About How to Practice Volleys
How do you stop missing volleys?
To maintain stability, avoid jumping and keep your legs in a wide base when hitting the ball. In case of a body shot from the opponent, move your feet to either side or shuffle to get into position for volleying, without jumping. Jumping can lead to loss of stability, so resist the urge to do so.
Where do you aim volleys in tennis?
Hit the volley far back to the player at the baseline and wait for a more favorable chance to score against the player at the opposing net. In conclusion, a defense volley should be aimed deep inside the inner alley line toward the baseline player/returner.
Where do you stand for volleys?
Standing right on top of the net is the best possible position, also known as the “Best Volley Position (BVP)”. Being in this position increases your chances of hitting a winner significantly.
What to know when learning how to practice volleys?
- Start with a warm-up and stretching routine. This will help you prepare for practice and reduce the chance of injury.
- Start by focusing on your footwork as it is an important part of setting up for a volley. Make sure that you move quickly to the center of the court and get into position with your feet shoulder-width apart and one slightly ahead of the other.
- When practicing volleys, focus on hitting the ball with your racket as soon as it crosses the net, instead of waiting for it to bounce. This will help you build up your hand-eye coordination and reaction time.
- Practice different types of volleys such as deep volleys, angled volleys, and short volleys. This will help you become more comfortable with different scenarios you may encounter during a match.
- Use smaller practice courts when available as it will force you to react more quickly to balls that come at a shorter distance from the net.
- When practicing volleys, use your own judgment to decide on the best placements for your shots. This will help you build up a better sense of judgment and increase your confidence in volleys.
Video Dominate The Net – Improve Your Tennis Volleys With These 6 Drills
Are you looking to improve your tennis game? In this video, you will learn how to practice volleys and give you tips on how to get better. Learn the essential skills needed for mastering the art of volleying in tennis and become a pro at it!
Final Thoughts
Overall, volleys are an important part of a tennis game, and learning how to practice volleys regularly can help you become better at the sport.
By focusing on your footwork, developing a good technique for forehands and backhands, honing in on timing and accuracy with each shot, as well as improving speed and agility around the court – you’ll be able to perfect your volley skills in no time.
With these key points in mind, get out there today and start working on those volleys! Good luck!