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"The Volley" by Collin Crawford
Proper technique as demonstrated by Arianna Stenta
In the midst of all the ongoing USTA matches, I thought it might be appropriate to narrow the focus for the tip of the month to the forehand volley. Forthcoming are two reminders that should help improve the consistency and quality of your forehand volley. Many players tend to swing at the volley. This is a major cause of inconsistency. How many times have we swung at a volley and instantly realized the fact after the ball has landed out, or in some cases has hit the curtain? Two ways players tend to swing at volleys are by snapping their wrists at contact, and by taking the raquet back before contact, as if to hit a ground stroke. Two reminders: lock your wrist back and keep your elbow in front.
Notice how Arianna has her wrist locked back in the photo. Her wrist locks back before and after contact. If the wrist stays locked, she can't force the tip of the raquet forward when she hits the ball. Snapping the wrist or forcing the tip of the raquet forward is considered a swing.
The other area to focus on in the photo is Arianna's elbow. Notice how the elbow is in front of her body. The elbow should always stay in front as the ball approaches. Players tend to bring it back as the ball approaches making it very difficult to hit the ball in front and make a solid volley. Once the elbow goes back it is considered a swing. Keeping it in front as the ball approaches maintains consistency and also gives the volley more pop because it is hit in front of the body, not late.
Just remember, to increase the consistency and quality of your forehand volley--lock your wrist back and keep your elbow in front