Backhand volley technique in tennis

The so-called eastern grip is recommended for backhands because it gives the initial force required to block the ball on the approach (beginners are advised to concentrate on this grip until they have learned to control the racket head with sufficient mastery for all ball heights). Most experienced volleyers prefer to use the hammer grip (or continental grip), which saves time when switching from one shot to another. This grip also makes it easier to perform lifts and drop shots.

Having the right stance is crucial to your performance. Hold your racket high enough (just below eye level) and in front of you, ready to react on the backhand side. Hold it with your other hand at the heart of the racket. Bend your knees, putting your weight on the front of your feet. Hold the bat in front of you towards your left side, still at eye level. Point the handle of the racket towards the opposite foot (at a 45° angle), so that you can look through the head of the racket. Your hand, elbow and racket head should form a triangle. Now move your hips and shoulders towards the net. Keep the net completely flat, your left elbow almost parallel to the ground, and your left hand on the heart of the racket to support it.
Once contact with the ball is imminent or predictable, tilt the head of the racket. Open slightly (this will create a lift effect if the movement is wide). A few moments before ball contact, the elbow and hand are positioned to support the racket head. Keep your left elbow parallel to the ground and use your right hand to bring it back, like the string of a bow, then let the grip relax and accelerate forward, as if you were shooting an arrow.

Hit the target in front of you with the racket flat and push the racket forward so that it is slightly above the point of impact. Keep your wrist firm throughout the stroke for direct volleys, and keep your left hand on the heart of the racket to secure any misses or late shots. After the follow-through, try to keep your racket parallel to the net at the end of the stroke, following the same trajectory as the ball. Keep it angled throughout the stroke. The stroke is more like blocking than hitting. The back of the hand and the shoulder indicate the direction of the stroke, and the head of the racket follows.

Keep your racket head up, hold it with both hands and release the left hand just before impact.

Find a position of balance between two shots, with pas chassés or in a waiting position.

If you have time, move closer to the target to cut off its trajectory.

If you don’t have time to get out of the way, use the backhand technique, ideal for emergency situations.

The player brings the racket further back before impact, to hit easy balls or soft balls, because the ball will then be too low to be smashed. This technique should only be used occasionally.

The follow-through will be short, as with the “blocked” shot. If you are just beyond the service line, the follow-through can extend as far as the impact zone.