Follow Lobs to the Net

Your opponent is at the net and has you on the defensive. Lacking an obvious opening for a passing shot, you loft a lob that catches your opponent by surprise and flies over his head. As he races back to retrieve your well-placed shot, what should you do next? If you're like most players, you stand at the baseline feeling satisfied because you've just neutralized your opponent's winning position and kept yourself in the point. That's a mistake.

Whenever you get a lob over your opponent's racquet that forces him to scramble back to retrieve it, that's an invitation for you to move to the net and take control of the point with a volley or overhead. You're not comfortable at the net? Don't let that hold you back. After all, very few players can hit offensively when they're chasing down lobs that get past them, so the odds are good that you'll be on the receiving end of an easy putaway. And even if you somehow don't make the shot, you'll still send a message that you know how to capitalize on your chances.

Don't waste this opportunity by staying back at the baseline watching the other guy race toward the back fence. If you do, not only will you surrender your advantage, but you'll let your opponent back in the point.

 Back Board - Forehand Volley

Brad Gilbert did it when he was trying to break out of a slump in 1983. Evonne Goolagong did it to warm up the morning of her 1980 Wimbledon final with Chris Evert. And just about every other top player has done it often during their formative years. What's their big secret? They all used a practice wall. And - great news - RTC should soon have it's own wall!

Surprised? Don't be, because hitting against a backboard or wall is one of the best ways to work on your strokes. In just 15-30 minutes, you'll hit more balls than you would in an hour and a half of practice with a partner. Plus, you can work on nearly every shot in the game and do it at your pace. And unlike other forms of practice, you don't need anyone else to join you. Many players think an easy, rhythmic hit against a backboard is the perfect way to center their shots and their mind before a match. The next time you're in need of practice and find yourself without a partner or a lot of time, don't forget the wall. One thing to remember: Don't try to hit too hard against a practice wall, because you'll end up rushing yourself. Slow down, let the ball bounce twice if necessary, and focus on technique.

Volleys on practice walls....
Drill Description: This is a real simple drill to practice anywhere you can hit against a wall. Stand about five feet from the wall and work on hitting volleys. Try to hit the ball straight against the wall so you can work on your forehand volley. Then try to do the same for your backhand volley. It is important to try and volley every ball in the air.

Keep doing this until your arm is extremely fatigued. This will improve arm strength important to people who are learning tennis. Beginners often wear their arm out when they are volleying, and this can combine strengthening and volley practice.