As Early As Possible. Yes, go out after your volley. Do not wait for it to come to you.
This does a few things.
Firstly it gets you moving forward to the volley. With your body momentum going forward you will use your body weight as the main power in the volley. Most people who stand very flat footed tens to swip and slap at their volleys in an attempt to generate power.
Secondly, it forces you to take an attacking approach to the volley which really threatens the opponent.
Thirdly, the earlier you hit the ball the higher over the net the ball is at contact. The longer you let the ball come to you, the lower your volley will be hit. So, with a lower volley you will then need to hit up on the ball to clear the net and are forced to play a softer shot.
Forth, with your momentum going forward you will continue to get closer to the net on the next volley – therefore closing out the point at the net.
Fifth, you will naturally hit the ball out in front of your body which is essential for good volleys.
Wow – all these results just by thinking about hitting it as early as possible !
Volley positive, go forward and close the point out.
Michael
During a match we tend to tighten up in pressure situations. Serving is where these pressures can mount up. Why? Well, we are expected to win our serve AND we are in control of when the point starts. (Here also lies the opportunity to become a very sold server – more about that another time) If you find yourself pulling your serves into the net it is usually due to you dropping your ball toss shoulder too early. Right handers – your left shoulder. Left handers – your right shoulder. (if ball toss shoulder wasnt clear enough 
)
This is definitely the case IF you find you are looking at the ground after serving. Some people are hunched over after the serve with little forward momentum.
So what to do? A very easy cue to remember in the match – is ‘keep your front shoulder up high’. I mean, really keep it up high for as long as you can. In actual fact it will be forced down eventually as you make impact and follow through the serve.
See the example of the picture in this article. Federer has his left hand and shoulder reaching high. His front shoulder is much higher than the back shoulder.
‘Keep your shoulder high’ is the simple cue in the match to get your serves back on track.
By forcing this action you will stay very tall during the serve and it will force you to go ‘up’ and ‘out’ to the ball.
Stay tall, feel strong, and build a solid serve you can rely on in any situation.
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For singles players The Tennis Court can become a lonely place. There are so many things going on out there and it is left to you to process them all and work out what to do.
Well here is a tip. Pretend, in your mind that your towel is your new best friend and coach. Take him or her with you all over the court. Your towel follows you down each end of the court and every time you need a chat do it! (You can actually wipe your face and forearms with it too !)
It may sound strange, but by talking to your towel – probably not too loud – you are actually talking to your self, and having to construct your thoughts in a coherent way. Therefore the jumbled ideas in your head become clearer. Listening to yourself or asking yourself questions, you WILL give your self answers.
There is a great book called ‘The Inner Game of Tennis’ and early in the book it talks about Self One and Self Two. You become the player and the coach. Talk about what to do next, if you are feeling tired etc. IT is also a way for you to ‘vent’ and become more relaxed afterward.
By talking to the towel you start to ask the coach in you clear questions and YOU WILL get answers. Remember not to talk too loud, maybe you dont need to actually say anything out loud, but just go through the process and see how that goes !
Thanks for listening and keep the feedback coming in.. It is great to hear !!
Michael
