3/27/11--Lesson With S.
When playing mixed doubles, women have trouble returning men's serves and men have trouble returning women's serves. Women often can't handle the pace of a man's serve and likewise men can't handle a soft ball and tend to over-hit. This is from improper footwork. S. stressed the need to split step. If you are not hitting the ball, then you should be split stepping. Return a serve with a neutral or rally ball. /you can only hit a neutral ball if you are balanced up.
We also worked on faking out your opponent or going for a poach. The server's partner has two choices: fake a move (which has to be a big movement to distract the opponent) or go all the way for a poach. There is no choice to just stand there. n When going for a poach, lead with the foot that is towards the ball, and then cross over with the other foot.
Showing posts with label poaching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label poaching. Show all posts
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
The Half Volley
2-9-11--Lesson With J.
First let me document my discussion with John... I asked about poaching. John said that the poach needs to incorporate the intention of finishing out the point. He said that you may not always be successful in finishing the point, but if you are going to poach, you should be in the position where you have a good chance that you can close out the point or you shouldn't poach.
J. said that I need to follow through on my forehand groundies with my whole arm, not just my wrist.
With regard to the half volley, the shot requires a closed stance (with good footwork) and low, bent knees. The ideal half volley is not a strong offensive shot, but rather a low medium pace ball. Typically, a half volley will land short. If the opponent is on the baseline and sees the half volley-er getting down to take that shot, he/she should start working up to the net to be in a position to make the return. It is a good probability that half volley is not going to be a deep shot. The return of the half volley should be a shot where you are taking it really early.
On the serve, I need to toss as I am lean forward, not leaning backward and I probably need to toss the ball higher.
First let me document my discussion with John... I asked about poaching. John said that the poach needs to incorporate the intention of finishing out the point. He said that you may not always be successful in finishing the point, but if you are going to poach, you should be in the position where you have a good chance that you can close out the point or you shouldn't poach.
J. said that I need to follow through on my forehand groundies with my whole arm, not just my wrist.
With regard to the half volley, the shot requires a closed stance (with good footwork) and low, bent knees. The ideal half volley is not a strong offensive shot, but rather a low medium pace ball. Typically, a half volley will land short. If the opponent is on the baseline and sees the half volley-er getting down to take that shot, he/she should start working up to the net to be in a position to make the return. It is a good probability that half volley is not going to be a deep shot. The return of the half volley should be a shot where you are taking it really early.
On the serve, I need to toss as I am lean forward, not leaning backward and I probably need to toss the ball higher.
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