Tennis Volley

Here are 7 questions you might consider before you start:

1. Is there 1 best grip?
2. What is the experience status of the player – beginner, intermediate or advanced?
3. What is the age of the player?
4. What is the physical strength of the player?
5. What are their aspirations as far as development of their game?
6. Will they practice new skills sets?
7. Do they want to change?

Which of the grips do I choose to teach:

1. Eastern backhand
2. Continental
3. Eastern forehand
4. Semi-western
5. Hybrid

You will need to evaluate several tactical questions to come up with the correct technical answer.

Here are 9 to consider:

1. Where is the position your opponent sending the ball from?
2. What is the height of the incoming ball you are receiving?
3. What kind of spin are you receiving?
4. What kind of speed are you receiving?
5. What is the position from which you are receiving the ball?
6. What is the position of the opponent as you send the ball?
7. Do you wish to stay in the point or finish the point?
8. What kind of spin are you going to send away?
9. What kind of speed are you going to send away?

Sample tactical situations you might be faced with – for a right handed player:

You are inside the service line and the ball you are receiving is coming to your right side but close to your body and between waist and chest high.

Options: Based upon the speed of the ball to be received you may choose:

1. Play a forehand or backhand
2. On a faster ball, use more of an eastern forehand grip to block or hit with some underspin into the open court
3. On a slower ball, use more of a continental grip, move away from the incoming ball to create better spacing and hit a short or sharply angled ball to your left
4. On a slower ball, use more of an eastern forehand grip, move away from the ball and play an inside out ball to your right

If the ball to be received were wide to your right, slightly below net height and barely reachable you may:

1. Switch to a heavy continental or even an eastern backhand grip to open the racquet face, maximize your reach and attempt to apply underspin.  This would help to reduce the speed of the ball, apply spin to direct the ball back up over the net and reduce the depth of the ball if the opponent were deep in the court.
2. You may firm up the grip a contact to get more depth with the spin if the opponent were wide or inside the service line and you needed to send it back behind him.
3. You may try for a sharply angled volley behind your position, softer return or deeper return – based upon you skill level, their position, you position and luck.

As you can see, there are literally hundreds of tactical factors to consider in choosing the technical skill.  It takes lots of practice balls to gain the experience to recognize the tactical situation you are in.  It takes lots of practice balls to develop the technical skills to execute correct option available to you in that tactical moment.

In receiving the ball, you might consider 5 basic questions:

1. Who is sending the ball?
2. What kind of ball is being sent?
3. Where is the sender?
4. When will it get to you?
5. Why would you choose that tactical option?

In sending the ball, you might consider 5 basic questions:

1. Who are you sending the ball to?
2. What kind of ball should you send?
3. Where is the ball to be sent?
4. When should you contact the ball?
5. Why should you choose that tactical option?

The 5 tactical factors you must consider are:

1. Get the ball in play?
2. Determine the direction – cross court, down the middle or down the line?
3. Determine the depth – short, middle or deep depth?
4. Determine the spin – underspin, sidespin or topspin?
5. Determine the speed – soft, medium or fast?

Summary:

All grips are correct – based upon the tactical position from which you are receiving the ball and the tactical position you wish to send the ball:

Forehand:

1. Continental on a low ball
2. Continental or eastern of a ball above net high
3. Eastern or semi-western on balls above the chest or head high
4. Eastern backhand on low wide balls
5. Hybrid grip between any of he above

Backhand:

1. Eastern forehand or continental on low ball
2. Continental or eastern backhand grip on balls above net high
3. Eastern backhand or continental on balls above the chest or head high
4. Eastern forehand on low wide balls
5. Hybrid grip between any of the above.

These options are by no means complete – have fun and develop feel for the racquet and ball through practiced discovery with your professional.

The ultimate goal is to prepare the racquet face to receive then send the correct tactical shot.

Ken DeHart

PTR & USPTA Master Professional
USA High Performance Coach
2 time PTR International Pro of the Year
Wilson Premier Advisory Staff
4 time USPTA Divisional Pro of the Year

Photo Credits: nsaplayer

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Get the Competitive Edge with Ken DeHart

Learning a new skill can be quite challenging.  There are 4 basic stages we often encounter to take a new skill from unawareness to an unconscious performance level.

Stage 1

Unconsciously Incompetent – I didn’t know I needed to know that or that it existed.

Ex. I didn’t know I needed to have a continental grip for a serve!

Stage 2

Consciously Incompetent – I have a hard time remembering to use that or do that.

Ex. I find using a continental grip difficult and forget to change to that grip to serve.

Stage 3

Consciously Competent – If I think about it I can remember to use that grip

Ex. I have to make a conscious thought to select my continental grip before I serve.

Stage 4

Unconsciously Competent – I can do it or use it without thought, it is just part of what I do.

Ex. Using a continental grip is how I always hold my racquet to serve.

While this is a simple example of the 4 stages of learning, it identifies why as a player it is difficult to make changes in our game instantly.  It also shows why we as coaches must be aware of which level a player is at in attempting to make changes in their game and to be able to correctly assist them.

We often wonder why a student cannot make a change that we are working on.  We need to find out if they even know the change needs to be made.  We also need to determine how important they feel the change is we want them to make and do they want to make the change.

Two other factors to consider are:

1. What they will receive as a result of making the change.
2. What will happen if they do not make the change.

The stages in between, when the student keeps forgetting to make the change and needs to consciously think about the change before using it can take some time.  It can be a frustrating period where the student has to think before performing.  It was much easier to rely upon an automatic response they were using (although we felt it was in need of a change).

Results can be damaging as losses may occur to players they normally beat and performance levels can be inconsistent.  Students are tempted to just go back to what they already knew and be satisfied with at least knowing what to expect.

With guidance and persistence they will reach the point where the changes become automatic and they will be prepared to perform with out conscious thought.  From here they will be ready to look for new areas they can add to the list of unconscious behaviors that improve their level of performances.

Students may not always start at the “unconsciously incompetent” level.  They may choose a skill they were aware of but had given up on and now choose to work on adding it as an “unconsciously competent” skill.  They may also choose to modify an unconscious competent skill to move it to a new performance level.

Being aware of the 4 stages of learning may help students understand the road map to acquiring new skills or at least appreciate why the journey can be long or difficult.  Awareness of these 4 stages should also helpful to instructors in understand where students are in the stages of learning and how best to help them along their way.

The next time you have to do something, determine which of the 4 stages you are at.  You may find more patience from this awareness as you move through the journey off acquiring possession of new ideas, skills and techniques in your life.

Ken DeHart
USA High Performance Coach
PTR & USPTA Master Professional
PTR International Pro of the Year
Wilson Premier Advisory Staff

Photo Credits: delboy1203

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Rafael Nadal

This (UDF) Unusual Doubles Receiving Formation puts the receiver and partner on the same side of the court.  The receiver (let’s say – deuce court) is in regular receiving position.  The receiver’s partner is positioned directly behind him so that both players are lined up in the deuce court.

Options:

1. If the serve is out wide to the deuce court, the front receiver will move to their right to return the serve. The partner behind them will move over and up toward the ad court to defend that part of the court. This helps put both players in motion.
2. If the serve is up the “T”, the front receiver will move to their left to return the serve and continue to move to the ad court following the return.  The partner behind them will move up to defend the now vacated deuce court.  This will put both players in motion.

Reasons for the receiving team to use this “I” Formation-Both Back:

1. The receiving team can create confusion for the serving team
2. The receiving team can put themselves in motion if they have become too stagnate with their receiving play.
3. The receiving team wants to intimidate the serving team and get inside their head regarding options instead of focusing on the ball.
4. To protect a weak playing net player against a strong serve and volley team or a team that attacks the net player on the first ball.
5. Helps the receiving team change momentum in a match, set or game.

How to play teams that play the “I” Receiving Formation-Both Back:

1. Make a decision as to where you want to serve and don’t change your mind.  Call time and make a plan with your net player.
2. Decide who you want to move to the ad court by serving wide to force that player to play deuce or up the “T” to force the back player to play the deuce court.
3. Serve at the receiver’s body to make the decision to move left or right by the receiving team more difficult to determine.
4. Following the serve, return shots deep down the middle.
5. Practice against this formation in practice match to recognize the options of the receiving team. Play it so you can feel how it is to be in that position.

What not to do:

1. Avoid getting sucked into their style of play. Call time out and make a game plan with your net player – have a plan.
2. Avoid trying to serve too hard and have to hit a lot of second serves or double fault.
3. Avoid returning too short on their return of serves so they might dominate play with their ground strokes.
4. Adjust your serving formation if they are bothering your service games.

Photo Credits: mirsasha

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What's the end goal?

The more options you have in the category of spin and speed, the more weapons you will have to defeat your opponent. For example, using under spin, some side spin or top spin can provide several options for controlling a point. Having options as far as the speed used to direct the shot you have chosen also provides another way imposing a tactical control during a point. Level 1 can be a loopy-spinny ball, level 2 is a rally speed that allows you to keep the ball in play and level 3 is as fast as you can hit and still keep the ball in play.

The ultimate end may be to win the match but within that is the end of winning the set, the game or the point. Regardless of the goal, begin with the end in mind.

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Wilson K4

The Wilson K 4 has been my favorite racquet for 2009.

Having played with the Wilson K Zen, the heavier version at 10.5 ounces, for 2 years it was time for a change. The 2009 version of the K Zen came only in a lighter version (9.5 ounces) and I was having difficulty making the transition for match play.

I experimented with the K Blade, Open and the Six One but did not find the feel I was looking for when playing. One of my students had purchased a K 4 and when I strung it for her it got me wondering what it played like. I picked up our demo from the club and was impressed with several features.

The K 4 played heavier than it’s weight and provided power and maneuverability as well as delivering a solid hit. It was easy to teach with as well as easy to play with in rallying against my better students.

After having my students try out the K 4 and tracking the responses of players from 3.0 to 4.5 NTRP levels, I have found it fits the needs and likes of most all players. This is the response I look for in selecting my choice of racquet for the year. I like one that suits my teaching needs and my competition feel but also the acceptance of a wide range of my students.

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In today’s game “topspin” gets all the press.  Everyone focuses how big the shots are, how much the pros use it and so most all the juniors and club players want to be like the pros.

When you listen to the talk about the really great ones who play the game you will also hear about how well they play defense to stay in the point and force the opponent to play uncomfortable shots.

Federer’s “chip” backhand return that lands about the backhand service line of the opponent is deadly.  The opponent must move up into the court to retrieve it from below net level and decide if they will attempt to come to the net behind their shot or retreat to the baseline after their shot.  When pulled really wide on the forehand, you will see the players use “underspin” to neutralize the opponent until they can recover position on their side of the court.

So what is the “otherspin” and how do you use in practice and match play?

There are 3 basic types of “Underspin Shots”.  The name of the underspin can easily refer to the depth of the shot.  Some shots will entail using more underspin than others and the amount of underspin you use can cause different problems for your opponent.

A low bouncing underspin can make it difficult to lift the ball deep into your court.  The 3 types of underspin are hit from the same basic racquet position and therefore provide a great element of disguise.  The 3 types of underspin are:

1. “Drop Shot” refers to an underspin ball that bounces close to the net and does not bounce forward very far.
2. “Chip Shot” refers to an underspin ball that bounces around the service line.
3. “Slice Shot” refers to an underspin ball that bounces near the baseline.

There are 7 basic reasons to use underspin:

1. Disguise - Out of the same motion you can hit any of the 3 type of underspin.  The “up” position in the racquet preparation position allows you to hit topspin by allowing the racquet to “loop” down under the ball and hit topspin drives, loops and lobs as well as from the same position create drop shot, chips and slices.
2. Defense - Buy time as the underspin can slow down the speed of an incoming ball or slow down the speed of the ball you send back to your opponent.  The underspin ball, because of the lower angle of entry over the net than the topspin will cause timing problem for the opponent as well.
3. Change the rhythm - By using the dropshot you can force an opponent to have to rush to the net to get the shorter ball and leave the security of their baseline.  This opens up an easy lob return over their head on the next shot.  The chip shot will have a second bounce low and near the baseline and often forces the opponent to bend low to pick up the ball and hit it up and short to you.  The deeper slice can make the ball bounce lower and faster as it leaves the court and change the opponents timing as they have to adjust their shot from the normal ball they hit against.
4. Approach shot - a lower and shorter underspin ball can make it difficult to pass you when you come to the net because of the unusual spin and low bounce of the approaching shot.
5. Return serve off a very slow, spinny or fast serve - the underspin will help you to avoid over-hitting the slow ball yet add a spin that can make it difficult for your opponent.  Spinning a spin ball is a great way to neutralize an opponents shot and the shorter underspin motion can make it easier to return a fast in-coming serve.
6. Defense off a high bouncing ball - it is difficult to do much with a high bouncing ball that is rising as it crosses your baseline because of height or spin, especially if you try to hit a topspin ball back.  Slicing off the high ball requires little effort and little racquet work to return the ball deep and soft to your opponent or to chip it short and slightly angled so they cannot hit a high deep ball on the next shot.
7. Offense – take time away by hitting a faster under spin ball that has a lower and skipping approach to your opponent making it difficult to get under the ball to return it to you.  The ball will seem to accelerate as it comes off the court and rush your opponent.

Solving Problems/Selling Solutions:

1. Some players say they do not want to hit underspin because they can’t do it.
   1. This is not to replace the shot you have but to add a new shot to your game so you will have more weapons to defeat your opponent.
   2. All new skills are challenging but an understanding or how to hit  the underspin, who to use it against, what it does to your opponent, where to hit it when to use it, when to use it and why it is important to use will give them confidence to practice it and slowly add it to their game.
   3. Use underspin as a mid-court short court warm up shot instead of topspin or flat shots to be able to keep the ball in play more effectively against players who hit too hard in the warm up.
   4. This shot is the same motion as your underspin volley and dropshot which you would use when close to the net anyhow.
2. The pros don’t use it:
   1. The pros do use it for the same reasons we want you to use it: disguise, buy time, change the rhythm, defense, approach shot, drop shot and offensive approach when the opponent is already in position.
   2. Notice that more of the pros not only use it on their backhand but several are using it on the wide and low forehands as well to get the ball back into play so they can look for another chance to go on offense later in the point.
   3. Because a lot of the juniors do not use it they hate to hit against it.  This is evidenced when adults who do use underspin play topspin juniors and they hate it when the “older” players hit drop shots, chip shots and slice against them – it messes up their timing.
3. I can’t hit underspin because I use a topspin grip:
   1. Don’t give up your topspin grip, add a new grip to your game so you have more options.  When you see a replay of a drop shot by the pros, the announcer will say, “see how he changed his grip at the last minute to hit the drop shot?”
   2. All the pros use a variety of grips for different kinds of bouncing balls, different heights of in-coming balls and different kinds of spins they want to hit. This is true on ground strokes and volleys – just ask McEnroe or Roy Emerson what grip they use on volley and they will ask you, “what height is the incoming ball?”
4. I like to play an attacking type of game:
   1. By using some underspin in certain situations, you can force weak returns that will allow you to move forward and play a more aggressive and attacking game.
   2. Sometimes your opponent is as strong or stronger with the attacking game than you. You will need to keep them off balance to prevent them from continually attacking you.  Play some shots that force them to defend or else create weaker returns by underspinning low and short or deep and slow so you can go on the offense occasionally.
5. I can’t play against soft hitters:
   1. Soft balls have a downward trajectory off your racquet and using underspin helps to pick the ball back up over the net.  Underspin can also help avoid over-hitting on slow balls while allowing you to place the ball back to your opponent to stay in the point or gain an advantage through an unusual spin or placement.
   2. Resist the urge to “kill” the short and softer ball.  You will usually try to swing harder than normal to put the ball away.  If you must try to put the ball away, walk through the ball as you contact it so the power will come from the legs and not the arms.
6. I don’t like to practice and using new shots mess up my game:
   1. Practice during the warm up by using underspin to warm up from the service line. This is the area you would normally use it in a match anyhow.  The shorter motion allows you to keep your hands in front of you, see the ball and the racquet at the same time and even slow down balls that are too hard by your opponent in the warm up.
   2. When you return a ball to your opponent during the match so they can serve, use underspin to give the ball back to them so they can serve.  This allows you to practice while the match is in play and develop confidence in a new shot at the same time.  If you just made an error, returning a ball to your opponent in a positive way helps to “erase” the error and replace it with the feel of making the shot.

A truly great player will develop as many weapons as possible for different kinds of opponents and situations.  Don’t limit the growth of your game by forgetting the “otherspin-underspin”

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Trusting your strokes is a skill that is obviously quite mental in nature. In my program, called Defeating the Monsters in your Mind, we take a unique look at approaching the trust factor, like so:

First we need to have a definition of what mental toughness is. Mental toughness is the ability for you to perform a skill, based on what you know at the time, performing the skill accordingly without fear of failure or success.

The lack of trust begins when you do not have a clear cut picture for success. Your mind is not focusing on the shot, but is already worrying about the future and concerning itself with the consequences before they even have a chance to happen.

Before you are a competent rally person, you need to focus on the task at hand like so:

1 – Read the incoming ball,
2 – Make a decision regarding both speed and location,
3 – Move into a position allowing you to execute your shot, performing the skill,
4 – Allow your eyes to stay within the contact zone long after the ball has left,
5 – Allow your movements to continue after the shot, recovering and then preparing you for the next shot.

In the practice phase for your game, your focus should be on the execution of your shot. In the match, the focus will then switch to the result of the shot before it is made.

There are a number of drills available that will enhance your ability to perform in match play the same way that you would perform in practice, including:

1 – Looking for the spin of the ball as it comes toward you,

2 – Preparing for the shot as soon as you can see the spin. The sooner the spin is perceived, the more time you will have for preparation. This level of focus, which falls at 8 or 9 on a scale to 10, will allow you to better evaluate what your focus level is, which will help you determine what your practice level is.

3 – Count as you make contact with the ball, as well as when your opponent makes contact with the ball, allowing you to focus on it.

4 – Counting will also allow you to breathe. You can cause a lot of stress in a rally if you are not breathing. It is common for “choking” to occur where you freak out and go for a winner because you are not breathing.

5 – Make tennis an experience that is moving, by counting the number of steps after each contact, and before the next contact. Most professionals average at around 10 to 12 steps, though average players take 4 to 6 and beginners only average 2 to 4 steps.

The reason for dropped steps usually relates to:

- Not knowing you needed to take a specific number of steps,

- Beginning to worry about the shot’s future allows your feet to move less and legs to become tighter.

These are some of the most typical ways to conquer the monsters in your mind. If you have any thoughts relating to the fear of failure or success will impact your ability to play the game. The only way to control the future is by taking the right steps now. See the ball spin, count, and move, in order to stay in the present.

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