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Backhand Volley
Grip: Continental / Hammer
Preparation:
Move your feet as you wait for the ball.
Dominant hand holds the racquet with a Continental grip and the non-dominant hand supports it at the neck.
Racquet head should be higher for volleys in the ready position compared to groundstrokes; elbows relaxed, slightly in front of the body.
Add a split step as you see the ball coming and step out with the outside foot (left). Shoulders turn about 45 degrees and racquet is taken behind and slightly above the path of the incoming ball. Racquet’s hitting face is open (at least 45 degrees), non-dominant elbow is elevated to avoid a long backswing and opening the racquet face too much.
Contact:
The inside foot (right) steps in the direction of the ball at the same time as the racquet moves towards and down on the ball. “Lead with the elbow!”
Just before contact, the non-dominant hand (left) releases the racquet’s neck and moves back to keep the upper body in balance and sideways.
Contact should be done out in front of the chest, racquet face slightly opened to create underspin (underspin is achieved by the high to low punch and open racquet face). The wrist should be locked at contact; the forearm and racquet should maintain approximately a 90 degrees angle throughout the swing.
Follow through and Recovery:
Right after contact with the ball, the racquet head decelerates and the follow through is very abbreviated.
Racquet face is maintained slightly opened and the forearm and racquet at 90 degrees – don’t drop the wrist!
Arms are kept away, to the sides, keeping the whole body in balance and sideways. The head stays still and down throughout the execution.
Recover back to half way between the service line and net; position yourself so that you always cover the same side of the court with the ball (block the down the line shot – in Singles).
To learn how to master the Backhand Volley, click here!
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