The Backhand Volley

What are the basic principles of a great backhand volley? When it comes to the backhand volley, we’ll see that many of the same principles we learned on the forehand volleys still apply. There are also a variety of backhand volleys–block volleys, low volleys, drop volleys, even the swinging backhand volley. So let’s get started! Continental Grip It is even more critical on the backhand side that you work with the continental grip to create leverage in your wrist. Notice the strong wrist position and the big L shape created between the racquet and the arm. Maintaining this strong wrist position provides solid support to the racquet face at contact for the various types of backhand volleys. Watch how it never breaks down in the course of the motion. The continental grip is more critical on the backhand than the forehand volley. The “Big L” position is the key to supporting the racquet face. Preparation Let’s look first at the preparation. To execute the basic one handed backhand volley, your first reaction is a hip and shoulder turn so that your body is facing the point of contact. The first move is with the feet and the torso, not the…