I could REALLY use some help!!!?

Question

I am doing a tennis camp right now. I can hit some solid groundstrokes, but when it comes to net work and overheads i SUCK horribly! What are some tips or drills for getting better. Im in a class with all good net players, and i feel like the weakest link! =/ Can you also give me some tips for beating people who are better then you? =] thanks<3

Answer 1

Wow, this sounds exactly like me about 4 years ago. I was good at groundstrokes because that is all I ever practiced before I ever went into lessons...I would hit against my garage door or play singles against my dad (and stay at the baseline). My groundstrokes were always one of the best but I couldnt do volleys at all. The Short answer would just be...practice, get a partner and make sure to work 10-20 mins on just volleys back and forth

Long Answer:

Overheads: 3 main points... the only thing I can say is you should be using the same motion as a serve (1). Make sure you turn your feet SIDEWAYS (like a serve) so that your legs are parallel with the sidelines (2), and that you are moving or leaning into the ball as you hit it (3), NEVER move backwards, if it is behind you make sure you run quickly so you can move forwards when hitting it.

Netplay: Make sure you use your opposite foot to step across. Ex: When you have a forhand volley, step across with your left foot infront of your right foot. And step with your right foot across your left foot for a backhand volley. Also, if you are hitting volleys while moving up towards the net. Make sure to splitstep (ask your camp director). Also, you don&#039;t want to swing like a forehand, all volleys should be like a punch, short arm movement (wrist stays firm) with NO backswing or follow-through.

Its mainly just repetition, but a good drill is called half court attack: you play with a partner, both players starting at the service line, and only use 1/2 of the court (from the singles ally to halfway). Feed a volley and play out the point, but anyshot other than a volley doesnt count. If you lob or hit a groundstroke, it is nobody&#039;s point. Play up to 10 or 15, the more games the better.

Quick point: I never learned this and I should have, I was good at groundstrokes so I never came to the net (or practiced it for that matter). This hurt me in the long run as I wasnt good enough to play singles (we had 2 all-state singles players, one won State) so I had to play doubles, and I was never good enough at the net. Even if you are bad now, force yourself to play at the net! You will get better

Hope this helps

Answer 2

When it comes to net work, go up close to the net.  You should be able to tell by looking at your opponent, and how much force they are giving their shot, approximately where the ball will go.  

Usually in tennis there is less net work, and people try to aim at the farther ends, and corners of the court, because with really good tennis players some of the far shots they hit are amazing, so it&#039;s good that you&#039;re good from farther back.

When it comes to volleying, get up really close to the net, and put your racket right in front of where the ball is coming, as if trying to block your face from a punch.  Give it a light tap, one of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to hit it hard.  Be quick with volleys, they come pretty quickly.

For overhead, the most important thing is get under the ball.  Run fast under where the ball is headed, and then right before it comes, bring your racket behind your back and swing it at the ball, and bring it down quickly so the ball will be within bounds of the court.

This site has a great motion of how an overhead should be done:

http://www.operationdoubles.com/how_hit_...

The best way to get good at tennis is with lots of practice, I&#039;m sure you&#039;ll greatly improve after tennis camp.  That&#039;s also how you learn to beat people better than you, practice with them, and just practicing with anyone will make you a better player.

Best of luck!

Answer 3

wow, your looking for alot! haha

My biggest tip on your volley is to NOT swing.  I may be jumping to conclusions thinking that you are.  But most of every players problems in the volley is that they swing too much.  You should use the angle of the racquet to control the ball.   You will find that your net point will be far more effective if you focus on controlling (by NOT swinging).  Use angles!

Well, for the rest I am just going to suggest you search my site for what you  may be looking for.  

Topspinsports.com  

There are free online lessons videos and tips from pros all over.  Its basically one central site where players can learn from all types of pros (as opposed to the sites that offer 1 viewpoint from 1 pro).  

Please enjoy and feel free to contact me if you need anything!!