How to Volley a Ball Aimed Straight at your Body
by: Dave Winship @ On The Line

If you get jammed and you haven't got enough time to step into a volley with your normal technique, you need to adapt.

My apologies to left-handers - you must do the necessary conversions when reading this!

Fancy footwork is out of the question - you've got no time! But you've got to get your body out of the way somehow, so let's work out how you can do it, starting with the forehand side. Simply TURN your right shoulder backwards and SWAY to your left. To play a backhand, TURN the left shoulder backwards and SWAY to the right.

Practice this technique by having someone stand on the service line and throw balls straight at you.

If you haven't even got time to turn and sway, it's self-defense and it's got to be a backhand volley! It just isn't possible to play a forehand volley if the ball's heading straight for your midriff. Try it - you'll see what I mean!

Regards.

Dave Winship