Australian tennis teaching professional Jason Bartlett (TCA) uses a cooperative coaching technique and suggests the following tip for improving your volley.
"When most tennis players think about playing the net, the image of striking comfortable volleys comes to mind. In fact, many players try to improve their net games by working only on above-the-net volleys. This is a mistake. Such volleys are just a small component of an actual match, and a smart opponent will do his or her best to give you anything except these easy shots.
If you want to be a successful volleyer, the trick is to work on all aspects of net play - not just the simplest shots. The next time you practice, have your partner feed you a variety of volleys - hard and soft, low and high, at your body and away from it - along with tough lobs as well. Work on sending the ball back both deep and short and be sure to also practice drop volleys and sharp-angled volleys. Once you become comfortable with the full range of replies needed in the frontcourt, you'll be able to close out more points with less effort." Singapore Tennis Academy, Tel: 9613 6538, www.singaporetennisacademy.com
