In teaching players a simple volley technique I revert to a trick. I ask them to hit the volley as though $10,000 is at stake. If they make the shot, they get the money; if they miss, then they owe me the money. It is amazing how careful and precise they become about handling this attempt!

Well, in matches we often ONLY need to play a simple volley like this to finish points. This is particularly the case with strong baseline players. Often a groundstroker will hit several tough shots in a row, force their opponent way off court, come in to the net at this perfect opportunity (as they should), and need only a simple tap into the open court to finish the point. Yet they miss by going for too much on the volley.

Even net rushers finish many points with simple “tap” volleys. In your mind’s eye, recall all the times Pete Sampras or Stefan Edberg or Patrick Rafter would come to net and hit a great first volley forcing their opponent way out of position, and then only need to tap the passing shot reply into the open court for a winner. The last shot was, and should be, the easiest. This is a reason the $10,000 volley is so essential to learn- it is the money shot when you come to net.

How to hit it? Well, keep your technique simple as can be. Racquet head up, move your feet, both eyes REALLY watching the ball, keep your swing (a block, basically) really small. Whenever you miss a shot like this (and we all have!), it is costly. By learning in practice to play the shot like $10,000 is riding on the execution of it, you will grow more comfortable and confident about finishing points at the net during matches.

Article by Bill Mountford, Director of tennis at USTA National Tennis Center