At the Net

Thanks again for the great tips in this video together with Jorge Capestany.

Now on the 2 tip you mentioned to change to bh grip with the hand holding the frame of the racket and that it is a mistake to change grip with the hand holding the grip.

Why is that? I saw you pulling your shoulders upwards in the video.

In other resources I read that you can do what you suggested or change grip with your dominant hand and just holding the frame with your support hand.

Many thanks for your comments on this.

How to Change Grips Quickly at the Net

The non-dominate hand is the key to a grip change. When moving to the the left, the left foot moves first toward the ball on balls that are close to the player. As that happens, the left hand places the racquet behind or above the in-coming ball. That allows the dominate hand to move to a new grip position based upon the height of the in-coming ball and your intention for the shot.

My racquet should rise above the incoming ball to create a downward and forward movement into the ball for more spin and speed (action) on the ball I am volleying.

Ken DeHart
SJSRC Director of Tennis
PTR & USPTA Master Professional

Photo Credits: ataelw

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Reasons for the receiving team to stay back:

1. The serving team is too strong with the serve and it is difficult to return the ball past the server’s partner – fear factor.
2. The net player of the serving team is too aggressive and creates a “monster in your mind” about getting the ball in play or past the monster at the net.
3. The receiving player is afraid of getting their partner killed.
4. The serving team hits the ball too hard and plays too aggressive at the net so we will stay back and lob until they make a mistake.

Reasons for the serving team to both stay back:

1. The receiving team keeps hitting the server’s partner with the return of serve.
2. The serving team’s serves are too weak to put the receiving team on defense.
3. The receiving team chips and comes into the net and dominates play.
4. The serving team is not a traditional doubles team, does not volley well and is much more successful dinking and lobbing.

How to play teams that stay both back:

1. Hit short, dinky balls and drop shots that force them to come into the part of the court they hate – then lob them.
2. Hit short angled returns to pull them off the court and create open spaces to use your power to put the ball away.
3. Stay back and loop with them for a few shots then come into the net to volley the loopy returns out of the air – short angled shots.
4. Keep your feet moving, hitting more spin overheads, short angled volleys and play overheads as overheads and volleys as volleys so as not to over hit.

What not to do:

1. Avoid hitting hard deep overheads at the players on the baseline, they will use your power to lob the ball back as a lob.
2. Do not under estimate this team because of how they play. They are smart to play this way if you can out hit them. Give them their respect or you will choke. Keep your feet moving or you will get tight and make lots of errors in the net.
3. Avoid easy errors and simple mistakes. This team relies on free points – not great shots to win matches. Do not look up as you hit to see where they are – they are back.

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