Developing an Attacking Volley

What do you need to develop an attacking volley?

To hit a great attacking volley, a player needs two things. The first is great footwork.
The second is very simple upper body movement. The biggest problem most players have is that their
upper body movement, and especially their arm action, is far too complex. Thanks to the amazing high
speed footage that John Yandell has developed for Advanced Tennis (Click Here), we can take a close
look at how it’s done by some of the best volleyers in the world.

Let’s look first at the footwork. Whether you serve and volley or hit an approach shot
and then go in, you must take a split step. Some teaching professionals hold the opposite opinion, that
you don’t need a split step. That’s correct only under certain circumstances. If you hit the ball so
well that you know the opponent’s return is going to be very weak, you can just "rush and crush." But
that’s dangerous if your opponent is able to set up for a pass or can hit a lob. For the majority
of situations you face in your matches, that philosophy will do more harm than good.

The split…