Steal This Drill: One Person Serve and Volleying

It is said that serve and volleying is dead. If you listen to the experts - be it tennis commentators, former players or your local pro - it seems that the only thing more irrelevant in today's game than serve and volleying are wooden rackets and cat-gut strings :)

We'll be the first to concede that with the advent of more modern equipment - lighter, more powerful rackets; polyester strings; springier balls - the server's advantage might be somewhat more diminished or neutralized. However, there's no better way to throw a monkey wrench into your opponent's plans than by serve-and-volleying every few points if only to keep her honest. A well executed play will force your opponent to aim lower over the net than if you are staying back after the serve. Sometimes, you might draw a mistake (easy point) just by "looking the part" of someone who knows what he's doing. Other times, the return my come right on your string bed. Of course, chances are that a good returner may dip the ball on you so it's good to work on pick-ups as well. 

However, we believe that it's not the serve-and-volley strategy that is dead; but the art of practicing for it. For example, nowadays, every junior has his/her own private coach who may get a bit antsy having to return the player's serve and forcing him to serve and volley. In addition, since juniors try to protect their emotions, very seldom do they play practice matches against other kids their age. Therefore, they hardly ever have the opportunity to work on new things such as serve and volleys. So how are they expected to implement it in a match?! 

If you're self-motivated and interested in learning this dimension, don't despair; there IS a way. Next time you practice your serves, rather than putting the bucket of balls behind you, set it at the service line. Pick up ONE ball, serve and SPRINT in for the bucket. When reaching the bucket (or ball pyramid), bend your knees and pick up another ball (just one). Careful that you don't overrun the bucket. Move in fast but with controlled steps. Rinse and repeat.

A major element of the serve and volley play is the movement from 1 foot inside the baseline to the service line. A lot of players practice their serves (let's say that they are dedicated enough to do that) and practice their volleys but fail to tie the two concepts together. So when they try the serve-and-volley play for the first time in a match they look like a fish out of water because the movement is not natural. By doing this drill - whether on your own or with multiple players on court - you will learn how to follow the ball in and measure your steps before reaching the basket. Furthermore, this is a wonderful way for breaking out of the usual serving routine and throwing some light sprints into the mix thereby keeping your leg muscles engaged and working. In addition, by moving forward, you will become more adept at using your body's momentum for hitting the ball (as opposed to hitting static serves). 

Serve and volley is not dead but the artistry of the game may use some resuscitation. 

Double Down For Mental Toughness

In tennis, as in all sports, it helps to be a bit of a gambler. Do you serve and volley or chip-and-charge on a big point? Do you risk hitting to the opponent's weapon in order to expose the weakness? Do you hit a drop-shot - a shot that you might not hit too often in match or in practice - at 4:4 30-30? If you're a "thinking" player, you know that there are risks and rewards associated with every on-court decision. Like a professional gambler, you will learn how to weigh all the factors in the split second necessary to make a decision. 

However, this is not the gamble that we're talking about. Specifically, we're talking about making sure that the player plays with more intensity as the game and match goes on. Here's why this is important: have you ever played a match (or, if you're a parent or coach, witness a match) where you win a point, then you lose a point, then you win a point, then you lose two points, then you win a point, then you lose a point, then you win two points, then you lose two points? I already know the answer. Every player has run into a scenario where the points see-saw back and forth until one player decides to mentally check out of the Oh Hell Motel by going for 2-3 slap-shots directly into the back fence. Why does this happen? Well, one reason may be because the player fails to realize the significance of the previous point for the other player. If the opponent has lost the previous point, he will kick and claw to get back to even-Steven, while the player who has initially won the point relaxes and drops his guard for a point or two. Now the tables turn and the roles get reversed. 

One way to fix this is by learning to "double down" on the next point. That is, treat the second point as if it were worth TWO points. Win this point, treat the third consecutive point as if it were worth FOUR points. If it helps you, attribute something of value to the point...maybe $1/first point; $2/second point; $4/third point. Etc. Run an internal tab of the score. Do this in practice as well. For example, play a game against your practice partner or coach where the second point won counts as two, the third point in a row counts as three, and so on until one player gets to Blackjack (21). You let your guard down for 2-3 points, and all of a sudden you may find yourself in an insurmountable position. Therefore, learn to fight for every point and, specifically, for stringing more points won in a row v. points lost in a row. This is one reason why match statistics are sometimes deceiving. You can have a match charted by an outsider but some important information may be missing (that's why the videocamera doesn't lie). Thus, it's helpful for a player to develop an internal card-counting method for when she's on the court. Learn the worth of every point - both to you and the opponent so that you can better anticipate what the opponent may throw your way next. 

Steal This Drill: High Backhands

Are you tired of the same old baseline game drill? You know, the one where one guy feeds the ball...then the other guy feels bad that the ball is coming right to him so he hits the ball back to the middle. Since the ball is coming to the middle the feeder feels awkward about hitting a winner so he returns the ball to the opponent's middle of the court...the process continuing with the intensity of two old men watching the sunset from their porch.

The simple baseline game is one of the most useless exercises in tennis. In terms of preparing you for an actual tennis match, it's about as realistic as fireplace DVD and as genuine as a dinner invitation from the cannibal tribes of Papua New Guinea.

If you want to get something out of the workout (besides using tennis as an excuse to not do homework), you have to use some imagination and simulate real life situations. Otherwise, you're better off sitting on your porch and watching the sunset; no need to wait to get old.

Here is a drill that simulates a live match situation: the high backhand game. The rules are simple - the feeder moon-balls the feed to the receiver's backhand; after the bounce, everything goes. That's it. The receiver can step in and take the ball off a short-hop or she can move back and let the ball drop. The receiver can hit a winner off the feed or, if she misses, she loses the point. This game kick-starts the intensity right away and the pattern resembled what goes on in a match quite often - one player pushing the opponent deep into the backhand corner and, consequently, opening up the court for the kill-shot. The feeders can alternate feeds so that everybody can have the opportunity to defend or be on the offense. The picture above shows the bounce of the ball (at least 6-7 feet high - that is, above the opponent's shoulder). This is another example of understanding the external stimuli and learning how to be comfortable under pressure. Furthermore, by noticing the level of discomfort that a high ball creates to you, you will grasp the importance of turning the tables on your opponent and utilizing this strategy in a match.

Steal This Drill: Offense/Defense Drill

If you have a willing partner, this is a good drill to work on your offense and defense in a productive manner. Many of the points you encounter in the match will be on the extremes- either you will be on the offense or on the defense.  Many people like to practice their rally ball, but this is not what happens in an intense match. One person is usually defending, while the other is attacking.  

Player A is the offensive player and Player B is the defensive player.  Player A is allowed to pick 1 of 3 offensive patterns:

• Hitting the ball side-to-side
• Hitting the ball twice to the deuce, then once to the ad
• Hitting the ball once to the deuce, then twice to the ad

Player B has to defend each pattern and return each ball back to the center of the court (return to a cone in the middle of the court, halfway between service line and baseline).  Player B is working on resetting the point back in the middle of the court, working on digging balls out of the corner.  Usually by putting the ball in the middle of the court, you give your opponent no angle to hit winners.  

Since you know the pattern Player A is attempting, you should be able to get most of the balls (Player A must not hold back, but really go for his shots).  Player B is not going to be able to be on top of the baseline while on defense, you are on defense!  Defense means give up court, retreat position, and look to buy time.  Try to anticipate the next shot, but getting a headstart.  This is how slow players defend well, they understand what shot is coming next.  

Variation: Player A (offensive player) does not tell Player B what the pattern is beforehand.  Player B must try to figure out the pattern Player A is trying to execute.  When you are on defense, you can learn to sense where the ball might be going.  

Most American players (huge generalization, which is why Jose Higueras is pushing for clay courts), believe it to be a character flaw to be on defense.  Many young kids are not proud to run, to defend, to get nasty, and to even look ugly. In the same vein, many parents/coaches believe the fallacy that offense is always the best defense. American tennis did just fine 20 years ago with only hardcourts in America, it's a mentality to compete and not look for the easy way out.  

Fun Backboard Training: Overhead Smashes

Becoming a great tennis player can be a lonely endeavour, often times with nobody to practice with. One way to spice up your serving/overhead practice is to utilize the wall (check out the diagram above). Start with gently tapping your smashes against the wall, then graduate to further distances away from the wall.

One tip to keep in mind is to hold the racquet extremely loose. Hit the ball gently, with feel. See if you can hit smash after smash without having to move too much from your original position. Can you control the ball. Rookie players will grip the racquet too tight and just "gun" the overhead with no sense of feel or direction. The best players do not take full cuts at the overheads (sure they can if they want to), but they understand the aspect of placement. This type of hitting against the wall simulates your warmup or match overheads, trying to hit it down into the court (as if you were aiming for inside the service line).