Serve and Volley: Implementation Drills

[don_budge]

Sampras...on a couple of things

very nice don_budge. We're on the same wavelength with those thoughts.

As the grass begins to die on the courts at Wimbledon, so does the chances of seeing any further advancement to the net as players get comfy playing on the dirt that doubles as a baseline.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

In this interview with Pat Cash for CNN...Pete Sampras shares a couple of thoughts a couple of years ago. Revealing thoughts taken into historical context. The equipment change happened years before he made the big time. He makes an oblique reference to "these big Babolat" racquets.

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/03/30/sport/tennis/tennis-sampras-cash-open-court/index.html

On the dying art of serve and volley:

"It's gone. I mean you (Cash), Bjorn Borg, Stefan Edberg, you were the guys that I grew up watching play, so I just developed this serve and volley game at a young age. You have to start young. I started at 13, 14 -- if you're 20 and don't serve and volley, it's too late.

"And seeing you (Pat Cash) play Wimbledon, seeing Boris (Becker) play Wimbledon, it impacted on me -- if I was to win Wimbledon, I needed to get into the net. I decided to serve and volley and do it as a young kid, and at first it was difficult. I love watching Roger, Nadal, Djokovic but it's sad to see Wimbledon today with everyone staying back.

"Technology might be an issue because with these big Babolat rackets, they don't need to volley, you just hit the crap out of the ball. Whereas we grew up with the wood racket, so you had to hit it properly. It'd be nice to have someone come up that serves and volleys. It's definitely a lost art, and it's unfortunate."

On the ATP Tour's 2011 rookie of the year Milos Raonic, widely tipped to be the next Sampras:

"Huge serve, huge second serve. But again, he's not really looking to get in, he's looking to serve big and crack it and then get in. The feel isn't quite there with him, but he doesn't need to do it when you serve so big.

"It's a timing thing, it takes a certain rhythm, practice. (Players) like Milos or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Tomas Berdych, they serve big, but they're not willing to get into the net on their serve. I'm a fan of all these guys, but serve and volley tennis, unfortunately, has pretty much gone."

I saw Milos Raonic play Novak Djokovic in Paris and I will tell you for certain...he was never looking to get in at any point in the match.

It's unfortunate. Sampras says it twice...that is an understatement. You see...Sampras still makes his bucks off of the game so he must be careful to not bite the hand that feeds him.

[GeoffWilliams]

"Dirt that, doubles!", is going to be my new gloat scream.

[klacr]

Hope and change sound familiar? Nebulous language.

From experience and wisdom one develops a sense of irony. Hence the metaphorical comparisons to life and reality. From irony cynicism is born. I'm not there yet...or am I?

It is the reality of the nature of things that I crawl upon the razors edge.

very nice don_budge. We're on the same wavelength with those thoughts.

As the grass begins to die on the courts at Wimbledon, so does the chances of seeing any further advancement to the net as players get comfy playing on the dirt that doubles as a baseline.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[don_budge]

klacr and hope...

Fair post. Strong feelings from don_budge. I see what he is saying but perhaps it's my youthful optimism or naivete that thinks serve and volley (although not in its classic form) may return. Perhaps it is me and me alone that believes don_budge is wrong, bitter or disgusted by this current generation of players, Federer perhaps the exception. Looking at the current times, I may be in that same boat. I dread the day when Federer decides to call it quits. don_budge claims serve and volley as long gone. Dead dead dead. Not even a breath to cling to. Not even a beating heart cadaver. Beyond resuscitation. Sad state of tennis affairs when the best players in the world have given up on this style. Tough pill to swallow. But can we as players and coaches make a difference? If the game ever had a chance to come back, maybe we should have done more to keep the fire burning. I'll hold myself accountable.
Perhaps don_budge and I will have to meet face to face, in the woods of Sweden, with nothing but the wildlife and logs of firewood as witnesses to our discussion, arguments and bantar of goodwill and respect for one another.

Sorry don_budge, serve and volley may be our passions but we view it in different shades. Perhaps you have the experience and wisdom, I have the stubborness and hope.


Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

Hope and change sound familiar? Nebulous language.

From experience and wisdom one develops a sense of irony. Hence the metaphorical comparisons to life and reality. From irony cynicism is born. I'm not there yet...or am I?

It is the reality of the nature of things that I crawl upon the razors edge.

[klacr]

"The primary force in the demise of the serve and volley has been a misguided mentality that it does not work anymore. At tennis academies across the United States, coaches are reluctant to teach it to young players."

Anybody here ever remember anyone saying that the coaching was hijacked by snake oil salesmen? See the power of subliminal messaging on sheeple..."Image is everything". I'll give you a clue...his coaching paradigm is...Tilden is the book. Gonzales is the model with the Budge backhand. Hopman is the coach and Federer is living proof.

"It’s outdated, they say, a relic of a bygone era that was left behind as the game evolved."

There is the pesky use of the word "evolved". In reality it is by definition engineering. This sport has "devolved" as a result of the misguided engineering. They have engineered entire crucial aspects of the game right out of it. I was crying bloody murder. People were giving me funny looks for which I cared not a twit. It's what happens when you tell the truth these days.

Even if somehow players are convinced of the necessity of a different type of play...i.e. the courts are speeded up...the results will be skewed. The game will still be too fast. The game was perfect when those funny little guys were running around in those white clothes playing with the antique wooden racquets. McEnroe and Borg was the end of it. The culmination point. Where baseline player met net player so equally that both were forced into each others paradigm. Such beauty we shall never see again. Are you happy St. Nick and Prince Racquet Corporation? Enough shekels for ya?


The game is not coming back. Even though not a single soul will argue with me about my position there are those that will still stand by this fiasco. Atonement is not in the cards. Enjoy the baseline bashing again this year. You may see some obligatory volleying...some polite serve and volleying.

Fair post. Strong feelings from don_budge. I see what he is saying but perhaps it's my youthful optimism or naivete that thinks serve and volley (although not in its classic form) may return. Perhaps it is me and me alone that believes don_budge is wrong, bitter or disgusted by this current generation of players, Federer perhaps the exception. Looking at the current times, I may be in that same boat. I dread the day when Federer decides to call it quits. don_budge claims serve and volley as long gone. Dead dead dead. Not even a breath to cling to. Not even a beating heart cadaver. Beyond resuscitation. Sad state of tennis affairs when the best players in the world have given up on this style. Tough pill to swallow. But can we as players and coaches make a difference? If the game ever had a chance to come back, maybe we should have done more to keep the fire burning. I'll hold myself accountable.
Perhaps don_budge and I will have to meet face to face, in the woods of Sweden, with nothing but the wildlife and logs of firewood as witnesses to our discussion, arguments and bantar of goodwill and respect for one another.

Sorry don_budge, serve and volley may be our passions but we view it in different shades. Perhaps you have the experience and wisdom, I have the stubborness and hope.


Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[hockeyscout]

Pat Cash in an interview in the current issue of "Tennis Magazin" (the German tennis magazine) says that kids do not want to learn the volley anymore, because their heroes are not volleying anymore. Kids are playing with the same strings the pros are, and they are unable to cope with the spin, so do not dare go to the net. He said he was originally a baseline player, then his coach told him to play serve and volley all week.

Interesting kids hero's aren't watching Martina, Bjorn, McEnroe, Tanner, Agassi and Sampras.

I kind of see the speed, power, strings and racket as a HUGE new developmental opportunity for players to get better in. However, unfortunately, its about looking good, always succeeding and refusing to do the tough things a Hall of Fame pro has to do (like losing, getting beat and going for broke). Pat Cash, a perfect example, that dude put in the work to make it happen and served and volleyed until he got it right. It's all about attitude. Serve and volley and playing an all court game is VERY TOUGH.

We're in an age of self glorification, and pressure to win now, as opposed to having a solid long term outlook in place and sticking with it through thick and thin. Kids are winning ugly early, and it's not the way to go. Playing an all court game, serve and volleying, stepping into the ball, taking the ball on the rise and playing without chaos pretty much ensures you'll have a tough developmental path to the top. It ain't easy. So, it's academy ball time, open stance, wait for the ball to come to you, stand way behind the baseline, rally, air-ball and build bad habits. When a kid gets 15-16-17 all of a sudden they can't compete and they wonder what happened!

Players like Graf, Navratolova, Borg, Seles, Agassi, Sampras and now Federer, Williams and Nadal are generational players who are were just special. They revolutionized tennis. I just don't see anyone coming up with that type of pedigree (yes, I like Bouchard, and I love Grigor), however, I can't say they will be top 20 of all-time in the mix players. I see nothing their that makes me go wow, that's the new!, and that is not good.

I admit don_budge is right in this regard.

However, its ebb and flow, and I am sure something player driven and new will emerge that everyone will copy when they see it for the first time. However, it may be a long 10-15 year wait.

[gzhpcu]

Pat Cash in an interview in the current issue of "Tennis Magazin" (the German tennis magazine) says that kids do not want to learn the volley anymore, because their heroes are not volleying anymore. Kids are playing with the same strings the pros are, and they are unable to cope with the spin, so do not dare go to the net. He said he was originally a baseline player, then his coach told him to play serve and volley all week.

[hockeyscout]

"The primary force in the demise of the serve and volley has been a misguided mentality that it does not work anymore. At tennis academies across the United States, coaches are reluctant to teach it to young players."

Anybody here ever remember anyone saying that the coaching was hijacked by snake oil salesmen? See the power of subliminal messaging on sheeple..."Image is everything". I'll give you a clue...his coaching paradigm is...Tilden is the book. Gonzales is the model with the Budge backhand. Hopman is the coach and Federer is living proof.

"It’s outdated, they say, a relic of a bygone era that was left behind as the game evolved."

There is the pesky use of the word "evolved". In reality it is by definition engineering. This sport has "devolved" as a result of the misguided engineering. They have engineered entire crucial aspects of the game right out of it. I was crying bloody murder. People were giving me funny looks for which I cared not a twit. It's what happens when you tell the truth these days.

Even if somehow players are convinced of the necessity of a different type of play...i.e. the courts are speeded up...the results will be skewed. The game will still be too fast. The game was perfect when those funny little guys were running around in those white clothes playing with the antique wooden racquets. McEnroe and Borg was the end of it. The culmination point. Where baseline player met net player so equally that both were forced into each others paradigm. Such beauty we shall never see again. Are you happy St. Nick and Prince Racquet Corporation? Enough shekels for ya?


The game is not coming back. Even though not a single soul will argue with me about my position there are those that will still stand by this fiasco. Atonement is not in the cards. Enjoy the baseline bashing again this year. You may see some obligatory volleying...some polite serve and volleying.

Don, maybe we can dedicate a thread to you discussing the demise of tennis, in one thread? We can call it The Demise of Tennis? Just kidding LOL.
You've got some great points, however, I think you are missing the biggest point of all.

Time, money, gas, location, patience, commitment, IPHONE, twitter, no interpersonal relationships and facebook. This is why the serve and volley and technical games have left tennis. We've all became great at being busy. You once asked me why I did not have an I-PHONE. Well I don't have the time for that shit, as I am to busy trying to do what no one else wants to do.
No one has the time anymore to post long flowing messages (it's got to be short like twitter), reading, writing, talking, spend hours on end hitting volley after volley, gas to get to the court, the commitment to wake up at 5:00 am, the passion to hit countless balls and the money to pay for courts, coaches and staff.

And most importantly, HOW MUCH TIME DO WE HAVE FOR OUR KIDS!

The last batch of great American players was great because the coaches, administrators, moms and dad's had time for their children and we're not wrapped up in mounting costs, debt, expensive lessons and a tennis system intent on squeezing out every cent they can from the player.

We've lost our relaxed atmosphere of the past.

Cloned coaches who we don't really know. The same with the players. I don't like it.

Of course the academies don't teach serve and volley, it's to much money, and WAY to much effort, requires focus, a deliberate approach, tons of communication, study and an inter-personal human approach.

The cost of the courts is way to much, and pro lessons have increased, and everyone is in a constant battle to get everything they can out of people as quickly as they can. Coaches are afraid now adays to lose lessons, results are something everyone expects at the current high rates and all-around development stalls, unless you have a parent say like a Richard Williams who drove coaches nuts, kept it interesting for his girls with wacky ideas, communicted with his kids and did things like taking his girls to Disneyland two days before a big tournament.

With all this in mind of course serve and volley, technique and passionate players have left the sport.

I find it disappointing that the rags to riches stories of tennis success have disappeared as well, and it's become all about the things that don't necessarily develop great young all around superstars like the Borg's, Federer's, Navratolova's and McEnroe.

[don_budge]

Coaching Hijacked...Bolletieri and Agassi "Image is Everything"

Interesting article here from Craig O'Shannessy on serve and volley. It may be dead, but should it be?

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/22/sp...lley.html?_r=0

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

"The primary force in the demise of the serve and volley has been a misguided mentality that it does not work anymore. At tennis academies across the United States, coaches are reluctant to teach it to young players."

Anybody here ever remember anyone saying that the coaching was hijacked by snake oil salesmen? See the power of subliminal messaging on sheeple..."Image is everything". I'll give you a clue...his coaching paradigm is...Tilden is the book. Gonzales is the model with the Budge backhand. Hopman is the coach and Federer is living proof.

"It’s outdated, they say, a relic of a bygone era that was left behind as the game evolved."

There is the pesky use of the word "evolved". In reality it is by definition engineering. This sport has "devolved" as a result of the misguided engineering. They have engineered entire crucial aspects of the game right out of it. I was crying bloody murder. People were giving me funny looks for which I cared not a twit. It's what happens when you tell the truth these days.

Even if somehow players are convinced of the necessity of a different type of play...i.e. the courts are speeded up...the results will be skewed. The game will still be too fast. The game was perfect when those funny little guys were running around in those white clothes playing with the antique wooden racquets. McEnroe and Borg was the end of it. The culmination point. Where baseline player met net player so equally that both were forced into each others paradigm. Such beauty we shall never see again. Are you happy St. Nick and Prince Racquet Corporation? Enough shekels for ya?


The game is not coming back. Even though not a single soul will argue with me about my position there are those that will still stand by this fiasco. Atonement is not in the cards. Enjoy the baseline bashing again this year. You may see some obligatory volleying...some polite serve and volleying.

[gzhpcu]

Good article! Probably it is a mindset: players think it can't be done and don't have the courage to try (and are out of practice with it)...

[klacr]

Interesting article here from Craig O'Shannessy on serve and volley. It may be dead, but should it be?

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/22/sp...lley.html?_r=0

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[don_budge]

Nuclear Power...Under Pressure

Do you think the public would allow the race car drivers to go back to model T fords? or the golfers to go back to wooden drivers the size of irons? It's a fallacious and losing argument for the sake of old times, to go back to old times tech. No one is going to go along with it, especially the manufacturers, who pay for the ads! I didn't like the t 2000, and neither did anyone but connors, but it was progress even if the size of a dime.

Some of the more informed public are willing to take "a step backwards" now since the biggest nuclear accident ever has happened. Bigger than Chernobyl? You have heard of Fukushima haven't you? You should have...some of the debris is landing as I type down at the beach where you live. Perhaps if you try and put two and two together you might realize what damage this poison is doing to OUR food chain.

With every invention comes a curse. I am merely expressing the metaphorical nature of things. The metaphysical nature of things. What goes around comes around.


The last words...

"If Wimbledon were to revert back now to the lighter balls and faster grass, despite the changes in racquets and stringing technology a genuine serve and volleyer might still stand a chance. But it is probably too late for anyone to take advantage because with the game having changed so much all of the serve and volleyers have died out."

[GeoffWilliams]

Do you think the public would allow the race car drivers to go back to model T fords? or the golfers to go back to wooden drivers the size of irons? It's a fallacious and losing argument for the sake of old times, to go back to old times tech. No one is going to go along with it, especially the manufacturers, who pay for the ads! I didn't like the t 2000, and neither did anyone but connors, but it was progress even if the size of a dime.

[don_budge]

War is peace

I've seen this video a few times Phil. Footage of some of the matches is great. There are a combination of elements that led to fall of serve and volley. I blame it mostly on the obsession with power, power, power. Players started serving huge which was great, until they realized the harder you hit, the less time you have. Staying on baseline seemed more economical and allowed for players to keep their regular ground stroke grips for majority of rallies. Sure, the physicality of players changed but that could have been the perfect moment to bring back serve and volley, instead, tennis went the opposite way. Avoiding the net like the plague. When I go to ATP events, I find myself enjoying the doubles matches. The skill involved is breathtaking. Rare to see that skill in singles anymore. Too many players and coaches shying away from learning, teach and and embracing the style. Still great to know for tactics at every level of your game.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

If anyone does not believe that The Orwellian 1984 has truly arrived...once again tennis serves as a wonderful metaphor for life. Listen to the ominous last words of this video.

"If Wimbledon were to revert back now to the lighter balls and faster grass, despite the changes in racquets and stringing technology a genuine serve and volleyer might still stand a chance. But it is probably too late for anyone to take advantage because with the game having changed so much all of the serve and volleyers have died out."

This could not have taken place without a fully complacent and gullible public. They bought into it hook, line and sinker. People are real stinkers...I'll tell you. When the first big racquets came out you know who the first ones to make the argument for them...those that needed it to defeat the tier about them. It worked it's way up the ladder until in 1984 virtually all in the professional ranks had to switch because players right below them (tennis_chiro and company) were nipping at their heels brandishing these shiny new monstrosities.

The rooster has come home to roost. In more ways than one. The game of tennis once again serves as a brilliant metaphor for life. The public meekly accepted the new decree in racquet specs...much as they have accepted the new decree in foreign policy. War is peace.

[klacr]

I've seen this video a few times Phil. Footage of some of the matches is great. There are a combination of elements that led to fall of serve and volley. I blame it mostly on the obsession with power, power, power. Players started serving huge which was great, until they realized the harder you hit, the less time you have. Staying on baseline seemed more economical and allowed for players to keep their regular ground stroke grips for majority of rallies. Sure, the physicality of players changed but that could have been the perfect moment to bring back serve and volley, instead, tennis went the opposite way. Avoiding the net like the plague. When I go to ATP events, I find myself enjoying the doubles matches. The skill involved is breathtaking. Rare to see that skill in singles anymore. Too many players and coaches shying away from learning, teach and and embracing the style. Still great to know for tactics at every level of your game.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton