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Tennis technique
Serena Williams à la volée

Footwork at the net: mastering movement to dominate the volley

Footwork at the net is an essential element for any tennis player who wants to excel in exchanges close to the net. Whether you’re a specialist in attacking play or looking to strengthen your offensive game, having a good command of movement at the net will enable you to volley more effectively and close out points more quickly. As a player, it’s crucial to understand that speed and precision of movement are the keys to maintaining balance and anticipating your opponents’ shots.
In this article, we’ll find out how a tennis clinic at our tennis academy can help you master the fundamentals of net footwork, perfect your movement, and understand why these aspects are essential to excel at volleying.
 

Why is footwork essential at the net?

The net is an area of the court where everything happens very quickly. Unlike exchanges at the back of the court, where you have time to prepare your shots, playing at the net requires quick reactions, good positioning and constant adjustments to your posture. If your footwork isn’t perfectly controlled, you risk not reaching the ball in time or hitting it out of balance, which can compromise the quality of your volley.

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Footwork at the net is crucial for :

  • Anticipate your opponent’s shots: By moving quickly and accurately, you can better anticipate trajectories and adjust your position.
  • Keep your balance: Moving smoothly keeps you balanced when you strike the ball, which is essential for a clean, accurate volley.
  • Maximise your court coverage: Good footwork allows you to cover the net area more effectively, limiting your opponent’s angles of attack.

The fundamentals of footwork at the net

  • Adopting a dynamic waiting posture

    The first thing to master is the waiting posture, also known as the athlete’s stance. You need to be slightly bent at the legs, with your body weight distributed over the front of your feet. This allows you to be ready to react quickly to the next volley. By keeping your legs active, you’re always ready to pounce on the ball, whether it’s a low volley or a higher ball.

  • The split step

    The split step is without doubt one of the most important movements at the net. It’s a little jump on the spot that you make just before your opponent hits the ball. This movement allows you to reposition your body and prepare for a quick reaction in any direction. A good split step puts you in position to react on the volley, whether the ball is close to you or further away.

  • Rapid replacement steps

    After each volley, it’s essential to move quickly back to the centre of the net or to the best position to anticipate the next shot. Short, quick steps allow you to cover the court without losing your balance. Unlike large steps, which can throw you off balance, short, quick movements give you the stability you need to be ready to react to your opponent’s next shot.

  • Anticipating trajectories

    A large part of footwork at the net is based on your ability to anticipate ball trajectories. The better you can read your opponent’s intentions, the better positioned you’ll be to volley. Reading your opponent’s posture and hitting movement allows you to move earlier and reduce reaction time.

  • Keeping the body forward

    When playing at the net, it’s crucial to keep your body slightly tilted forward, which allows you to play the ball with more aggression and control. Your movements should always take you towards the ball with offensive intent, rather than backwards.

Improving your footwork at the net: practical exercises

  • Split step exercise

    An excellent exercise for improving your split step is to repeat this movement before each training strike. Work with a partner or a ball pitcher, and try to concentrate on the precise moment when you need to do this little jump. This synchronisation work is essential to get your body used to always being in motion and ready to react.

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    Fast lateral movements

    Link up lateral movements along the net while keeping your posture dynamic and your legs bent. Work on fast, fluid movements, making sure you’re always balanced so you can volley at any time. This exercise will help you to improve the responsiveness of your legs and your court coverage.

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    Moving flights

    To improve your volleys on the move, ask a partner to send you balls slightly to the sides of the net. You’ll need to do a split step before each shot, then move quickly towards the ball to complete the volley. This exercise is excellent for improving the coordination between your footwork and your volley.

Common mistakes at the net and how to avoid them

  • Remaining static after a volley: One of the most common mistakes is not moving after a successful volley. It’s essential to reposition yourself quickly after each shot to anticipate the next one. By neglecting to reposition yourself, you give your opponent the opportunity to surprise you with a placed ball.
  • Taking too long a stride: Players at the net who take long strides risk losing their balance. It’s better to use small, quick steps that allow you to keep your centre of gravity low and be more reactive.
  • Leaning back when striking: Leaning back during a volley considerably reduces power and control. To avoid this, always keep your body weight slightly forward to maintain control of the ball and be able to attack more effectively.

Conclusion

Footwork at the net is one of the keys to dominating volley rallies and closing out points quickly. By perfecting your movements, mastering techniques such as the split step and better anticipating ball trajectories, you can not only improve your speed, but also your efficiency. Don’t forget that the net is an area where every fraction of a second counts, and where the precision of your movements can make all the difference.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

  • To improve your speed, concentrate on practising your split step and lateral movements. The more comfortable you are with these movements, the quicker you’ll be able to react to balls at the net.

  • No, it’s better to use small, quick steps to maintain balance and be ready to react quickly. Large steps can throw you off balance and prevent you from volleying well.

  • Balance in volleys depends on a good starting position (split step) and fluid movement. Always keep your legs light, with your body weight slightly forward, to maintain good control of the ball.

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Mouratoglou Academy, Biot, French Riviera, FRANCE

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