Serve and Volley: Three Critical Shots

[klacr]

Enjoyed your article, Kyle, as well the the linked one by Scott Murphy.

A couple of comments: To my surprise, I've recently seen a number of ATP players start hitting one-handed backhand drive volleys. How they get that kind of racket head speed with one hand is beyond me.

In particular, I recall seeing Richard Gasquet take a ball below the net in the service box, and rip it with a full backhand, getting it over the net and down somehow. Amazing. I believe Youzhny also hits (what is short-hand for a one-handed backhand swinging volley, since that is too long to type?), a singleton backhand drive on occasion.

Secondly, the first player I remember seeing hit drive volleys was Ivan Lendl. Since the regular volley seemed so alien to Lendl, simply hitting a forehand probably happened unconsciously at first. <g>

Thanks for reading Jim. Glad you enjoyed it.

Good observations! You are correct on the one handed backhand drive volley. It's an awesome shot to witness for sure. How do they get that much pop on it? It's all about that deep shoulder turn that has been talked about in previous backhand articles by Chris Lewit. Also, it I feel it may be an easier shot, at least for my tastes as there is not so much forward rotation like on the forehand side. The backhand hitting shoulder is already in front and loaded up.

I remember watching Federer hit some backhand topspin swinging volleys in the 2003 Wimbledon final against Philippoussis. There is still in indentation in the wood from my jaw dropping and hitting the floor.

Expect to see more of this shot in the future as another wrinkle into the attacking game

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[lobndropshot]

Enjoyed your article, Kyle, as well the the linked one by Scott Murphy.

A couple of comments: To my surprise, I've recently seen a number of ATP players start hitting one-handed backhand drive volleys. How they get that kind of racket head speed with one hand is beyond me.

In particular, I recall seeing Richard Gasquet take a ball below the net in the service box, and rip it with a full backhand, getting it over the net and down somehow. Amazing. I believe Youzhny also hits (what is short-hand for a one-handed backhand swinging volley, since that is too long to type?), a singleton backhand drive on occasion.

Secondly, the first player I remember seeing hit drive volleys was Ivan Lendl. Since the regular volley seemed so alien to Lendl, simply hitting a forehand probably happened unconsciously at first. <g>

I saw Gasquet do the same thing and I tried it myself and hit the ball into the back fence.

[lobndropshot]

Drop Volley

Good article!

However, I feel like all of these shots are great for pushing the opponent off the court and back. But, I think the drop shot is equally as important for serve and volley. There is nothing like pulling your opponent up to the net like a cat pulling a mouse on the end of a string.

[jimlosaltos]

Backhand Drive

Let's get your thoughts on Kyle's article, "Serve and Volley: Three Critical Shots"

Enjoyed your article, Kyle, as well the the linked one by Scott Murphy.

A couple of comments: To my surprise, I've recently seen a number of ATP players start hitting one-handed backhand drive volleys. How they get that kind of racket head speed with one hand is beyond me.

In particular, I recall seeing Richard Gasquet take a ball below the net in the service box, and rip it with a full backhand, getting it over the net and down somehow. Amazing. I believe Youzhny also hits (what is short-hand for a one-handed backhand swinging volley, since that is too long to type?), a singleton backhand drive on occasion.

Secondly, the first player I remember seeing hit drive volleys was Ivan Lendl. Since the regular volley seemed so alien to Lendl, simply hitting a forehand probably happened unconsciously at first. <g>

[klacr]

Geoff,

Makes total sense to me. Serve than a slight change to a uni grip, followed by another slight change back to continental for a finishing volley or overhead.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[GeoffWilliams]

I use the uni grip, both sides, with swinging volleys, like a continental, the grip does not change, but the same side of the frame is used to hit both bh/fh shots.

[klacr]

Thank you for reading Phil.

The swinging volley is no doubt going to become a must have shot in the future. Let's prepare our students now! I feel like tennis' version of Paul Revere "The swinging volleys are coming! The swinging volleys are coming!". However, unlike Paul, I welcome them as I know it will be the dawn of a new age.

In all seriousness, it's a very effective shot and when serve and volley makes a comeback, this shot may be the instigator for it.

Stay tuned for the next article, I can't give away much, but I can say it's truly where "the rubber hits the road"

Staying on topic for this article, what other issues or ideas do you think you can use for your game and your students?


Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[gzhpcu]

Great article Kyle. I especially agree on the swinging volley. I remember a friend of mine from Switzerland who used to teach at the Bollitieri academy recommending it to me in the mid-90's. Just like you, he said to use it when a slow floating ball would come back during an exchange, to go in and take it on the fly with a swinging volley, instead of staying back on the baseline and trying to generate pace off it.

Generating pace off semimoon balls can lead to timing errors after a while, since the timing is tougher for club players. The trajectory is slower and steeper, not the nice fast, more horizontal trajectory to get into the groove. So, getting used to take it on the fly and hit a swinging volley is much better.

[johnyandell]

Let's get your thoughts on Kyle's article, "Serve and Volley: Three Critical Shots"