🌐 Also available in: 🇫🇷 Français
Original source: Meike Babel Tennis
This video from Meike Babel Tennis covered a lot of ground. Streamed.News selected 4 key moments and summarises them here. Everything below links directly to the timestamp in the original video.
Mastering the backhand volley requires precise positioning. This drill teaches you to establish the correct contact point in front of your body by using your non-dominant hand as a guide.
Backhand Volley Drill Emphasizes Hand Position and Forward Leg Drive
To correctly execute the backhand volley, a player can practice without a racket by extending their non-dominant hand to catch the ball. The dominant hand should remain close to the wrist of the catching hand, as this simulates the precise location where the racket should make contact. This method prevents the common error of reaching across the body.
This drill isolates the two most critical components of the volley: establishing a contact point well in front of the body and driving forward with the legs. By focusing on beating the ball to the net with the body, the player builds the correct muscle memory for a stable, forward-moving volley.
"I'm simply going to stick my left hand out and I keep my right hand right here basically attached to my wrist... Because this here is where I will present my racket."
Martina Navratilova's 'Magic Drill' Teaches Explosive Forward Movement on Volleys
A fundamental drill, credited to Martina Navratilova, involves forgoing the racket to simply catch oncoming balls. The player’s objective is to move forward explosively, intercepting the ball with an outstretched hand as far in front of the body as possible. This technique is particularly effective for training the correct response to low, hard-driven shots at the net.
The exercise's primary purpose is to train the legs to drive the body forward into the shot, thereby keeping the hitting arm stable and in front. Because the detail that's actually missing in many players' volleys is this forward commitment, the drill instills the proper mechanics for aggressive and stable net play.
"You're simply trying to catch the ball and you're moving up to it... that is really working on this explosive movement forward and really keeping your arm in front."
How to Transition from Hand-Catch Drills to Racket Play for Better Volley Timing
After performing volley drills by catching the ball, the next step is to reintegrate the racket while replicating the exact same dynamic forward footwork. The tactile sensation of having caught the ball provides a powerful physical memory of where the ideal contact point should be. This allows the player to coordinate their timing correctly.
This practice directly translates the drill's core lesson into live play, ensuring the contact point remains far in front of the body. Ultimately, the volley is supported by the lower body, reinforcing the principle that a powerful and controlled shot is all about the legs.
"Because you now literally have that tactile sensation where you want to catch that ball... you've also worked on your timing to make sure that you actually then have your contact point way in front again."
Stop Swinging on Fast Volleys: How to Use an Opponent's Pace
The correct volley technique changes dramatically depending on the incoming ball's speed. While slower balls require the player to generate their own pace, a fast, hard-driven shot from an opponent provides all the necessary energy. On these powerful shots, the objective is not to create a swing but to stabilize the body and racket.
By eliminating the backswing and focusing on a low, stable base, a player can simply redirect the ball, taking time away from the opponent. It’s all about the legs providing a solid platform to “stick” the volley and move through the shot, turning the opponent's power against them.
"When somebody gives you a lower and more powerful shot, you don't have to create energy. They already give you everything that you need... All you have to do is stabilize that shot, redirect it, and the point is yours."
Also mentioned in this video
- A drill, inspired by Martina Navratilova, to help tennis players stop swinging… (0:00)
- It is acceptable and sometimes necessary to swing a little on higher, slower… (0:21)
- The presenter cautions against excessive swinging or getting stuck without… (1:31)
Summarised from Meike Babel Tennis · 6:35. All credit belongs to the original creators. Streamed.News summarises publicly available video content.
