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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.
See how Serena Williams uses flawless footwork and body momentum, not a big swing, to hit devastating volleys. This is the key to turning your net play into an offensive weapon.
Serena Williams’s Volley Technique Showcases Power of Minimal Swing and Forward Momentum
Serena Williams provides a masterclass in volleying by executing a perfectly timed split step before loading her outside leg and striding through with the inside one. Her technique is defined by an absolutely minimal take-back, proving that power is not generated from a large swing. Instead, she masterfully uses her body’s forward momentum to drive through the ball, creating a compact and highly effective shot.
This method of using momentum not only generates easy power but also takes valuable time away from an opponent. By eliminating the need for a large, complex swing, the player can focus on clean contact and aggressive court positioning, turning the volley into a decisive offensive weapon.
"Serena has an absolutely minimal take-back because she's putting that ball away just using her momentum that flows through the ball."
Casper Ruud’s Footwork Reveals the Secret to Volley Stability and Power
An analysis of Casper Ruud’s volley reveals a critical detail in footwork: his inside foot makes little to no contact with the ground before he strikes the ball. He deliberately avoids planting his weight fully on his front foot, which ensures his body mass continues moving forward through the point of contact. The correct timing is crucial, as it allows the entire body to contribute to the shot.
This dynamic movement channels the player's full body mass into the ball, which simultaneously stabilizes the shot for superior control and generates more power. It also helps maintain balance, keeping the head over the center of gravity and enabling a smooth, continuous transition forward to the net.
"If you manage to time this correctly, your entire body mass goes into the ball, which stabilizes it, you have much better control, and you get more power on the ball."
Mastering the Volley: The Role of the Inside and Outside Leg for Balance and Momentum
To execute a proper volley, players must use their outside leg—the one closest to the incoming ball—to build a stable foundation for loading and pushing off. From this powerful base, the inside leg strides through the shot. For a right-hander, this is the right leg on the backhand and the left leg on the forehand, a motion that creates an aggressive, forward-moving action into the ball.
Even when a large stride is not possible, the principle remains: avoid planting all body weight on the front foot before contact. It's all about the legs maintaining this dynamic balance, which ensures momentum is not stopped and allows for an easier follow-up shot and better court coverage.
"We're using the outside leg... to really build a great stable foundation and to load. And from there, you want to push forward."
Why the 'Step and Volley' Drill Fails in Match Play
The common "step and punch" volley technique, often taught in stationary drills, is fundamentally flawed for actual match play. In a real game, players are moving dynamically to the ball, and planting the foot before making contact essentially puts the brakes on. This abrupt halt to forward momentum sacrifices both the control and the power available for the shot.
For a solid, well-balanced volley, the inside foot must still be in the air at the moment of contact. Because the detail that's actually missing is timing, this allows the player's momentum to flow through the shot, resulting in a more powerful and stable volley that is integrated with fluid movement.
"In real matches, you're moving to the volley. And if you step with your foot first and then you're making contact, you're basically putting the brakes on."
Also mentioned in this video
- The common tennis volley cue "step and volley" is often misinterpreted, leading… (0:00)
- Incorrect volley timing, where the foot is completely planted and body weight… (0:28)
Summarised from Meike Babel Tennis · 5:26. All credit belongs to the original creators. Streamed.News summarises publicly available video content.
