One of the things that make Mike and Bob Bryan such proficient volleyers is their footwork. Watch the following video and pay close attention to the several shots of Bob Bryan (the lefty) at net.
It’s obvious that Bob’s feet are EXTREMELY active at net. They’re always moving. But what specific things should we try to emulate?
There are two things Bob is doing that we should copy. The first is how wide apart he positions his feet. Bob’s feet are EASILY wider than shoulder-width apart. This allows him to move explosively to both his left and right.
The second is what he’s doing in between volleys. He’s taking what could be described as several split steps as he waits for the next ball. This lets him make small adjustments in his court positioning and prevents him from becoming flat-footed. It’s important to note that by moving like this he preserves his ability to change direction quickly.
I can’t remember where I heard this, but someone once told me that “you volley with your feet.” Great advice. I think it’s clear from the video that Bob and Mike Bryan certainly do. How about you?
{ 11 comments }
I don’t remember where I heard it either, but “volley with your feet” changed my doubles volley game. Instead of lunging with my racquet stuck out I try my best to move to the ball with my feet. If you are ready with active feet like the Bryan Bros there is often, but not always, enough time to do that. The shot result is always better though.
Not to sound like an ad for FYB, but what changed my singles game recently was your 5 things every pro does on his forehand, or whatever it was called. Especially the turning the foot (pivot/shoulder turn) and the holding out the off arm to judge spacing I think.
I’m amazed at the free info I’ve got from this site and haven’t spent a dime (almost feel guilty…almost!). I’m a middling 46 year old league player but if I was in High School or College I’d be paying up for your more involved lessons…or even if I had more time to actually go out and practice what I’d learn now. Instead I take notes and just try to incorporate stuff on the fly when I get time to play and have still benefited. Sincerely, thanks for making the game more enjoyable.
I have to second the “5 things every pro does on his forehand” comment. It’s made a difference for me. I did 4 things well, and it was the piece I was missing that made the difference. Can’t wait for the other strokes to come out (2-handed backhand if any hints are needed.)
Is it just me, or is Bob Bryan holding and Eastern Forehand Grip in that video, for shots on both wings?
Would love to hear your thoughts on the Bryan’s volley grip on both sides like the video you did for Federer’s eastern forehand. Thanks.
They use a continental. They told me Wednesday night (interviewed them at a charity tournament). We’ll upload the footage in the next week or so.
Thanks Will. I had to assume it was a continental as play is so fast that you don’t really have much time to change grips. Have a great week.
Yes, I believe you’re right, although Will disagrees. At first I saw it as Continental, but if you stop the pause button at 43 seconds (when Bob is touching his face with the racquet hanging down), I believe you’ll see that his “V” of his hand is turned ever-so-slightly, to one bevel counter-clockwise from the Continental position. Maybe this is not a significant matter, I don’t know. This has me thinking: could the angle of the wrist at impact could more than mitigate the slight angle of the grip-hold(?), creating a “continental shot” even with a slightly European grip? Are we splitting hairs, here?!
thx Will. That was really inspirational. i think i’m started to look more like them when i volley, so that’s good.
One other thing they don’t do, but a lot of club players miss-do is not taking the racket back (in the intention to gain more ball acceleration into theit shot). As of my jugement, this is a often sorce of misstiming vollleys.
Grrets
Seems like most of the backhand volleys are sliced across the body and forehands are more flat. Mostly the feet are stationary at ball contact. Not much foward movement like we are told we should do but is so hard to accomplish in quick volleys.
Jack, I am seeing what you described: backhand volleys look more like a slice than a punch; feet are planted and solid at contact. I don’t see any forward movement either but I guess that’s got to be because he’s just practicing, not attacking, eh?
Comments on this entry are closed.