Tennis Tips

Northland Age, Volume IX, Issue 16, 28 November 1939, Page 3

Tennis Tips

LOCK THE WRIST FOR ALL VOLLEYS “The volley is vital in modern tennis,” said Ralph E. Chambers, United States Military Academy tennis coach when asked for still another lesson for readers of the Christian Science Monitor. He said volley may be divided into two classes : 1. —The low volley ; hit from below the waistline. 2. —Hhe high volley ; hit between the waistline and head. “All low volleys,” Chambers continued, “are primarily blocked ; while high volleys may be either blocked

or hit, depending on which best fits the case. A volley should never be stroked, as there is no follow through on a low volley, and very little on a high one. “The volley is usually made from a point approximately six feet from the net and should be hit at the first opportunity given to get the racquet . quart ly on the ball. The rules of i'ootv.oik governing the forehand and backhand drives theoretically apply to volleying. When time does not permit getting your feet into the proper position, you must get your, weight on the foot nearest the ball and push forward into the shot. No time should be lost in making a volley. “All volleys, high or low, should be hit with a firm and locked wrist. The wrist should be below the racquet head to insure bracing of the racquet against the impact of the ball. Allow the force of the incoming shot, plus your own weight and timing, to return the ball without making it necessary to snap or ‘wrist’ it over. The tilted racquet face will be sufficient to get any required angle to the return, by glancing the ball off the strings. Hit the low volleys softly and short, with well-placed angles, never hard ; for owing to the height of the net, they will otherwise be too high and long. Any ball above the net may be hit hard, as most high volleys require speed and depth. “A good volleyer must exercise intelligence and anticipation. These are of great importance in getting into correct positions to meet the ball. “A good way to perfect volleying,” said Chambers, “is to practice the ability of going to the net after serving. In going to the net, it is most important that you go all the way in. It is disastrous to stop somewhere in midcourt. It is far easier to make a volley from a point close to the net, and you should always work forward, attacking with your volleys. The only defensive volley is one at your feet as you go in. You should try to win volleys with placements rather than speed, although you may use speed on a high volley. “The forehand volley is made with your body at right angles to the net; your left foot advanced forward to the shot ; and your weight evenly distributed on both feet. Your wrist should be below the racquet head, which is tilted slightly under the ball. Your whole movement must be one of blocking the ball with your wrist held firmly. Your body should be in a somewhat crouched position and the knees bent. From this position it is possible for you to make a quick return to any other position required. “For a backhand volley,” concludes Chambers, “your body position, weight control and balance are the same as that of the forehand, except that your right foot comes forward to meet the ball. The racquet is held firmly, with the grip used in the backhand shot. Use the left arm for balance, in the same manner as the light arm, in the forehand volley.”