What are the best targets for your volleys when you are at the net in doubles? In this episode of Tennis Quick Tips, I tell you my three favorite targets for my volleys and I explain exactly why these targets are so effective. You can listen to this episode by clicking on the media player above or by listening in with your favorite podcast app. You can also subscribe in iTunes by clicking on this link: tennisfixation.com/itunes.
SHOW NOTES:
I love to play up at the net in doubles and nothing feels quite as good as hitting a winning volley. The best way to ensure that your volleys are winners, or at least a big step in that direction, is to hit your volleys to good targets. In my opinion, there are three really great targets that you should be aiming at when hitting your volleys in doubles.
The Different Types of Volleys
Now, I want to make clear that the types of volleys I’m talking about here are those where you are at the net, playing aggressively. I’m not talking about half-volleys that you may hit as you make your approach to the net. And I’m not talking about those balls you take out of the air, even though you’re at the baseline, because you’re not sure whether or not the ball is going to be out.
No, the types of volleys I’m discussing here are the volleys you hit when you’re already up at the net in doubles. These are usually volleys that you want to hit aggressively and that you want to win the point on.
Target No. 1 – Aim Down the Middle
The first target I like to try and hit is the volley down the middle, between my two opponents. This is a great target for at least two reasons.
First, any shot that goes between your opponents has the potential to cause confusion. Those players may be unsure whose ball that is and they often will either stand there, looking at each other, with neither going for the ball. Or they will both try to hit the ball resulting in crashing rackets or players even running into each other.
Second, aiming for the middle gives you a lot of target area to volley into. You almost cannot hit the ball out, unless you somehow go way too deep.
Target No. 2 – Aim at Their Feet
Aiming your volley at your opponents’ feet is definitely one of my favorite target, especially if I can target the feet of the opponent who is at the net. This is because, first, when you hit at your opponents’ feet, their reaction time is cut way down. Second, this puts them in an awkward position since they either have to bend down to hit the ball, which no one likes to do, or they have to drop their racket to hit the ball which usually produces a weak shot. Third, even if they can get the ball back, they usually have to pop it up since they’re hitting a low ball. And this often means you get a sitter that might allow you to hit a winner.
Target No. 3 – Hit the Sharp Angle
My third and personal favorite target is to hit the sharp angle volley. This is a great target for your volley because it is usually difficult for your opponent to get to it often pulls them off the court and out of position. The big danger of the sharp angle volley is that is can be difficult to hit because your target area is small, so you may hit the ball out.
So those are the three volley targets I think are best in doubles. Those targets are (1) down the middle, (2) at their feet, and (3) sharply angled and off the court. When you are up at the net hitting a volley, you want to be aggressive. Hitting one of those three targets is sure to put you in an aggressive position.
RESOURCES AND LINKS FROM THIS EPISODE:
Check out these Tennis Quick Tips episodes for more help with your volleys:
- How to Fake Poach in Tennis Doubles – Tennis Quick Tips Episode 84
- Down the Middle Solves the Riddle – Tennis Quick Tips Episode 77
- How and Why to Hit a Block Volley – Tennis Quick Tips Episode 40
- 5 Steps to a Better Tennis Volley – Tennis Quick Tips Episode 37
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