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Instructional: Mastering the Backhand Volley


By David Lewis, Director of Instruction at Ivan Lendl International Junior Tennis Academy


If we look back at the past Wimbledon Champions in the 1960s, 70s and 80s, most of these players had a phenomenal backhand slice and backhand volley. These players included Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, and Stefan Edberg, to name a few. Grass courts at Wimbledon were quicker, allowing the slice to be even more effective especially for those looking to take control of the net.
 
Many great Australian players had incredibly strong forearms developed from playing hours against a wall which taught them to have quick hands and compact swings. The backhand volley is an abbreviated backhand slice with the same fundamentals but does not include a full backswing or follow through.
 
The backhand volley is a simple stroke yet it can be challenging to teach younger players. A lack of strength makes it difficult for juniors to control the racquet when attempting to hit a backhand volley. As a result, they can develop poor habits especially if their racquets are too heavy. Many players at this age prefer to have an eastern grip, allowing them short-term success. As they get older, this grip has limitations and they should be urged to move to the continental grip.
 
With less time to react at the net as opposed to the baseline, the backhand volley needs to be compact and struck out in front of the body with a very firm wrist (see photo “Backhand Slice – contact point”). Tony Roche, a former Australian player, always emphasized ‘knifing’ the backhand volley. Roche had one of the best backhand volleys in the game and, with a huge forearm and strong wrist, he could ‘knife’ backhand volleys at a fast pace that would land near the shoe laces of his opponents.
 
 
About David Lewis

David Lewis, a native of Auckland, New Zealand, is the Director of Instruction at Ivan Lendl International Junior Tennis Academy on Hilton Head Island, S.C., a full-time tennis program for grades 5-12. For the past 20 years, he has coached top juniors and professionals from around the world including Marina Erakovic, ranked as high as No.49 on the WTA world rankings.
 
The Ivan Lendl IJTA exemplifies Ivan Lendl and Lewis’ desire to give back to tennis and develop future champions through a new-era curriculum and holistic training approach. The Academy focuses on classic fundamentals, leading-edge biomechanics, strength training / fitness and mental preparation. Lendl and Lewis subscribe to a hands-on approach with students instilling dedication, focus, hard work, motivation and overall preparation.
 

For more information: www.LendlTennis.com, 888.983.6647 (888-9-TENNIS) or 843.686.1529. 

 

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