Developing volley feel / fluidity / contact time

[10splayer]

Yes and there is great skill in that...especially in the professional ranks where balls are moving so fast and with so much weight..."absorbing" is a good word to describe what a volleyer in the top ranks is actually having to do.

Yes Stotty, it is the ultimate skill set.You're right..
For all the talk about MPH and snapping and swatting,(I see that all the time) the real skill is absorbing because it's what allows a player to handle the real tests: first volleys, balls below the level of the net, lunge volleys, angle/drop volleys. You know, the ones that separate the men from the boys.

When people start talking about how hard they can hit a volley, i just shake my head.

[stotty]

High level players know, that the game up at the net (a predominant amount of the time) is about CONTROLLING a ball that's coming in at 70 miles an hour, NOT RHS...

Almost ALL volleys are "receiving", in nature. That is where there's an absorbing nature to the contact.

Yes and there is great skill in that...especially in the professional ranks where balls are moving so fast and with so much weight..."absorbing" is a good word to describe what a volleyer in the top ranks is actually having to do.

Just picked up on the clip you posted. I found it a good walk through...nice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lfk4wRP9gvI&feature=youtu.be&list=PLD0FE460FD37E5D04

[10splayer]

Another case of someone ignoring reality. That is how the myths stay in place. Snap back volleys are all about fluidity. I often hit snap back volleys at great speed, up to 85mph with short snap back fluid snaps. But every time I go out I practice serve and volleying, and these can only be hit when you have time. Other wise, use your body and feet to block. There is not much time to decide on volleys, so it takes a great deal of real time practice against someone trying to beat you, not someone feeding you with easy shots.

The trouble with many players is that they are only practicing with easy feeds, from teachers, and not training with dangerous partners. You think it's easy learning how to ground stroke? Try the snap back volley and learn how to hit it. I dare you. It takes years of practice to time it right, but if you do learn it, you become a deadly volleyer who can put away even low shots. Or continue with the blocked volley, which often sits up for easy passes. No snap back volley sits up. It's fun to hit them against younger guys, who have never seen anyone beat them that way before I do. They are so used to being able to run down blocked volleys, that they often start cursing. I beat three of these guys in one day in a 4.5 tournament, and each one of them had the version: "I suck!" When you can't beat a 58 yr. old 230lb serve and volleyer, you do suck. The twist serve lets me get into the net, but the toss has to be over your rear shoulder, and your back has to arch over the base line, and you have to stay closed longer, and you have to hit the left part of the ball, upwards and to the left/right plane to be able to get the big kick/twist so many hate to return off their bh sides. I can hit the angle on the ad side five feet up from the net with my stringing techniques.

Yes Geoff you're awesome. It that what you want to hear? But really, there are a lot here who play much, much better then you. High level players know, that the game up at the net (a predominant amount of the time) is about CONTROLLING a ball that's coming in at 70 miles an hour, NOT RHS...

[10splayer]

The same guys here telling you never to hit a snap back, are the guys who told you never to hit a swinging volley (a top spin ground stroke before the ball bounces.) The difference between a swinging volley and a snap back volley is this: vicious under cut flat out speed which keeps the ball low and away, versus a shot that kicks up high. No harder to learn. Same guys saying the same things, and will be proved wrong by the players in the end. The snap back uses the body too, and feet too, and is timed with the vicious head speed the wrist provides. These can be hit over 100mph.

Oh good, another dude revolutionizing/reinventing the the wheel...But seriously, very little of what you're saying has anything to do with how to volley well.

Oh, and you're right, Rafter sucks as a volleyer. Can't think of anything one could learn from him..

[GeoffWilliams]

The same guys here telling you never to hit a snap back, are the guys who told you never to hit a swinging volley (a top spin ground stroke before the ball bounces.) The difference between a swinging volley and a snap back volley is this: vicious under cut flat out speed which keeps the ball low and away, versus a shot that kicks up high. No harder to learn. Same guys saying the same things, and will be proved wrong by the players in the end. The snap back uses the body too, and feet too, and is timed with the vicious head speed the wrist provides. These can be hit over 100mph.

[stotty]

I think the wrist plays mostly a relaxed, passive role in volleying. Many players lay the wrist back a little before moving the racket forward to meet the ball, but there is certainly no "snapping" amongst good volleyers. In my view the laying back of the wrist is passive.

Good volleyers are relaxed and smooth. It's all timing really. I've watched the very best volleyers from feet away at Wimbledon and I can tell you there is very little punching and snapping. It's all about technique, balance and weight transfer.

I think snapping the wrist will just serve to break the smooth chain of events required for a good finish to the volley.

Bob Lutz was the only semi wristy volleyer I can think of who got away with it.

[GeoffWilliams]

Rafter is not a modern doubles player. He lays the frame back and punches forwards, not just a static block.

[gzhpcu]

Just look at Pat Rafter's volleys and decide for yourself....

https://www.tennisplayer.net/tp_player/pat-rafter/

[GeoffWilliams]

Another case of someone ignoring reality. That is how the myths stay in place. Snap back volleys are all about fluidity. I often hit snap back volleys at great speed, up to 85mph with short snap back fluid snaps. But every time I go out I practice serve and volleying, and these can only be hit when you have time. Other wise, use your body and feet to block. There is not much time to decide on volleys, so it takes a great deal of real time practice against someone trying to beat you, not someone feeding you with easy shots.

The trouble with many players is that they are only practicing with easy feeds, from teachers, and not training with dangerous partners. You think it's easy learning how to ground stroke? Try the snap back volley and learn how to hit it. I dare you. It takes years of practice to time it right, but if you do learn it, you become a deadly volleyer who can put away even low shots. Or continue with the blocked volley, which often sits up for easy passes. No snap back volley sits up. It's fun to hit them against younger guys, who have never seen anyone beat them that way before I do. They are so used to being able to run down blocked volleys, that they often start cursing. I beat three of these guys in one day in a 4.5 tournament, and each one of them had the version: "I suck!" When you can't beat a 58 yr. old 230lb serve and volleyer, you do suck. The twist serve lets me get into the net, but the toss has to be over your rear shoulder, and your back has to arch over the base line, and you have to stay closed longer, and you have to hit the left part of the ball, upwards and to the left/right plane to be able to get the big kick/twist so many hate to return off their bh sides. I can hit the angle on the ad side five feet up from the net with my stringing techniques.

[10splayer]

All the current top doubles players use the snap back volley and only block when rushed. It's a way to derive more power and put the ball away quickly. It's just another tennis myth to say other wise.

No disagree. Sure you'll add power by creating end point racquet head speed, but you'll also spray the ball all over the place. What your describing (i think) is akin to slapping at the ball. Absolutely the worse image one can promote.

Did you look at the video I posted? Almost ALL volleys are "receiving", in nature. That is where there's an absorbing nature to the contact. And the key in this, is keeping the hand WITH the tip of the racquet, so they're moving at the same speed.... Laying the shaft back and snapping it forward is the antithesis of this....

Besides, I thought the thread was about feel?

[GeoffWilliams]

All the current top doubles players use the snap back volley and only block when rushed. It's a way to derive more power and put the ball away quickly. It's just another tennis myth to say other wise.

[10splayer]

I'd be very reluctant to EVER question anything Geoff Williams has to say about the game of tennis.

You're kidding right?

[hockeyscout]

If I understand you correctly, where by you lay the racquet head back (lag) and snap it forward, then i would disagree. In fact, I think the opposite. That is, to to try and move both ends of the racquet at the same speed, with the plane/face angle relatively constant.

I'd be very reluctant to EVER question anything Geoff Williams has to say about the game of tennis.

[10splayer]

But...try it. If you've got it in you, do both.

http://youtu.be/Lfk4wRP9gvI?list=PLD0FE460FD37E5D04

What do you think of this?

[bottle]

But...try it. If you've got it in you, do both.