I'm having trouble hitting volleys. When I'm in the middle of the service line and the net my volleys go into the net, and if I stand right at the net then I can't reach balls that go to the sides.
I need to know where to stand and how to actually hit the volley because I'm not sure I do that correctly either.
It sounds as if you are a beginner at the net. Watch tennis matchs on TV, or at the club, etc and see how it is done. You want to close off the specific angles your opponent will probably try to use. That usually involves getting as close to the net as possible w/o running through your volleys on the way! Getting close to the net also benefits you by opening your angles you can use to put away the point. I have served and volleyed and chipped and charged my way through high school, college and 4.5-5.5 levels for 20 years. It can be very frustrating when it they have your number and you can't reach it on either side of you, or at you and your seemingly bigger and bigger feet! Once in a while you have to realize that they have their returns dialed in that day and you need to have a better approach shot to win the point and give them respect. Work on your volleys and try to cut off their angles, and close off that net!
Good Luck
Jan 15, 2009 Rating
Keeping Your Back Straight by: Anonymous
I saw a "one-minute clinic" on this problem on the Tennis Channel. If you volley while keeping your back straight like you're sitting in a chair, your shots should begin to clear the net.
Once you slightly lean forward (which is what most players tend to do), the angle of the racquet changes and it deflects the ball into the net.
