THE COMFORT ZONE

In order to play your best at the net, you need to find your comfort zone. The comfort zone is that place on the court where your volleys can be aggressive, controlled and confident, but most of all comfortable. In the comfort zone you should be able to step forward into all of your volleys.

If you are stepping backwards, sideways or standing still you most likely are too close to the net. However the question now is: If I am supposed to step into all of my volleys aren�t I going to get too close to the net and out of my comfort zone? The answer is just a little fancy footwork. Once you reach your comfort zone, for every step forward to the volley you must step back after the volley and return to your comfort zone. By staying at your comfort zone you can still play confidently at the net and be an aggressive volleyer, yet still be able to cover a lob.

Court awareness is extremely important in finding your comfort zone. It’s also difficult because your comfort zone may change based on your opponent’s style of play. If your opponent hits hard driving shots you probably will feel more comfortable farther away from the net. If your opponent hits soft shots you may feel more comfortable closer to the net. If your opponent hits soft, loopy shots you may feel more comfortable closer to the net. If your opponent likes to lob, you may feel most comfortable in the middle of the service box. In this case the lob does not look quite as open and easy to get over your head.

The comfort zone is unique to every player. Finding yours can make a vast improvement in your volleys. Just remember that no one’s comfort zone is at the baseline because the party is always at the NET!

by Libby McGovern

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The basics of positioning at net are black and white with a lot of gray area mixed in, too. Let’s keep it simple and chat only about the basics of playing the net when your partner is serving. While you may stand anywhere on the court, the best position is up at the net. When you are at the net you have two main objectives: to win the point, with your volley, and not to lose the point.
To win the point you must be able to volley for a winner. To hit this type of volley, how close to the net should you stand? You want to stand close enough to the net to put any volley away. The farther away from the net you are, the more difficult it is to accomplish this. Standing very close to the net makes it easier to hit a winning volley. Standing too close limits your reach and makes you susceptible to the lob. Each player will have to decide how close to the net he or she can stand and still feel confident in putting the ball away.
The second object of not losing the point means protecting your alley. If your opponent hits into your alley, he or she will win the point (unless it’s a lob and then your partner will be able to retreive it). You must stand close enough to your alley to be able to volley any attempt to go down it by your opponents. At the same time, you want to cover as much court as possible, thereby giving yourself the greatest chance to hit a winning volley. A good rule of thumb is: Never stand inside your alley. At the same time, you must look for an opportunity to poach towards the middle for the volley. So stand next to your alley, not in it. Next, we want to follow the ball as much as possible as long as we stay in between the singles sideline and the center of the court. Crossing the center line will give your opponents a very good look at your alley, which we cannot let happen.
All players from beginners to the pros have these two objectives when their partner is serving. They will be standing in different positions but still have the same objectives. So keep moving and put that volley away.

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Many of you have heard about the open stanced forehand. If you watch pro tennis live or on TV, you will see virtually all the pros hitting open stance fore hands. They utilize this technique every chance they get. Some of you have tried this technique, without supervision, and found your forehand sailing out of control! Back to the old forehand in a heartbeat. Most teaching pros still teach the traditional cross-step forehand, (stepping into the shot with your front leg) at least to adults. Yet the open stance has taken over the junior, college and pro game. A few tips on how to attempt this new-wave shot.

….First and foremost, turn your shoulders sideways. Do this before you run to the ball. Most people make the mistake of thinking open stance means to hit completely open. The phrase “open stance” refers to your legs (your stance), not your upper body

….Take your racquet back a bit higher. Shoulder height is good.

…..Your last running step should be taken with your back leg. If you are right handed, this would be your right leg. Try to allign this leg up close to the tennis ball.

…..Once you plant this leg, bend your knee (sound familiar?) and put your weight on this leg. Do not move your back leg. Keep it still. If all your weight is on this leg, you can’t move it! That is good.

……Begin your swing by dropping your racquet underneath the ball to create a low to high trajectory. At the same time, your weight should begin to transfer off your back leg into the shot. As you meet the ball you can really rotate your right hip into the ball for explosive power. Because the left side of your body (assuming you are right handed) is not in your way, you should be able to generate lots of racquet speed and power. Explode into the ball as they say. Your contact point will be further back than the traditional step forehand, giving you more time to set up for your shot.

This is a fun shot once you get a feel for the ball. If you try the above and are still hitting the curtain, call your local tennis pro. We will be posting monthly tips on our site the 1st week of each month. We will also field any questions you might have. Simply write your question in the comment column. We will post it and then answer it as next month’s pro tip.

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