I’d like to thank Jason Frausto again for allowing me to use one of his videos for this analysis.
We’ll be looking at Milos Raonic volleying and again looking at how the racquet path might possibly deceive us into thinking that we need to do much more than we actually do.
I’ve outlined the racquet path in this first series of clips which is what we usually track with our eyes and what we visualize as the basic model to imitate for our volley technique.
Lots of racquet movement on the forehand volley if we focus just on it
You can see quite a lot of movement of the racquet on the forehand volley, but once you look only at the arm you can see very little movement, especially if you notice that most of the arm’s movement happened because of Milos’s body turn.
And not much arm movement. In fact, most arm movement is caused by the unit turn.
In the video you also saw a few unit turns in reverse and that makes it more obvious how the arm doesn’t move much on its own but that it’s moving through space only because of the body turn.
Here’s also a quick comparison of the hand versus the racquet path that might give you a better idea of what’s really going on on the forehand volley.
Hand vs racquet path on the forehand volley
It’s a similar story on the backhand volley.
If we focus only on the racquet movement, we can see that the racquet moves quite a lot through space, but once we take it away and look only at the arm, we can see much less movement.
The racquet path is quite long on the backhand volley
Again, the video of the unit turn in reverse shows quite well that it’s simply the body turn that makes the arm move through space and almost no arm movement of itself.
Milos's hand moves very little on the backhand volley
And finally just a quick comparison of the arm versus the racquet movement on the backhand volley.
Hand vs racquet path on the backhand volley
Have these “no racquet” videos and images helped you volley better? Let me know your thoughts!
Tomaz:
All I can say is pure genius! Why has no one thought of uploading tennis stroke videos WITHOUT the racquet before now? You’ve simplified the movement of the proper stroke in a way that I can attempt to emulate! A million thanks!
Wonderful, glad you liked it!
Thank you for sharing the racquet/no racquet series of videos. What is your suggestion for how we can best use the information?
Hi Lynne,
I suggest you watch the parts of videos where players swing with no racquet until you get an “aha” moment.
Meaning you see and realize the simplicity of the arm’s movement so that you have a clear mental image of what you should be doing with your arms and body when working on a certain stroke.
On the backhand volley I feel there would be even less movement (closer to the forehand) Milos kept his left elbow higher instead of allowing it to cave-in to his side which results in wrist layback thus creating a longer take-a-way
I like what you are saying and showing about the volley…less is often more…………….1
VERY good idea Tomaz to strip away the racquet. As the great quote from Apple say, strip away the unneccessary so the necessary can shine.
Your training ideas really lets you clearly see, visualize and then ‘do’ what is simple and necessary. thanks
Hey Mark, good to hear your feedback! Yes, strip away the unnecessary, that’s the key point…
These tall players are not a good example for volley technique. Because Raonic is slow to move in, in the forehand volley he is lunging clumsy and too much and finish meeting the ball well below the net strap. It most of the times will produce an easy reachable floater for the opponent. Ideally, the key is to attack the ball much earlier, when still it is above the net level. It requires a lot of concentration and reaction time. Aug 10/2015.
But surely low volley have to be played also by quick players who still don’t always manage to get the ball above the net, right?
I see a low volley a much better foundation for good volleying skills in the long term than a high ball close to the net which doesn’t require any technique to put away, but simply some hand eye coordination.
We can see that every day with older players who play doubles a lot and put away volleys regularly with incorrect technique.
Hi Tomasz, great visuals as always!! If you remember, I use a cut- off handle of an old racquet to practice my shadow strokes, when done in front of mirror, it actually simulates your videos and let’s my eyes see the hand movement while still holding a handle. Regards from sunny London! Cheers, Charlie
Hey Charlie,
Yes, that’s a good idea too, thanks for sharing!
Brilliant Tomaz! I’m a club player and often ask for visuals when taking clinics with the club pro. These videos are the ultimate visual. Thanks!
Hi Tomaz,
You’re the best. I love your videos.
Thanks,
Joyce
Thanks for adding this no racquet series to the best online instruction site and providing another great insight to the game.
I just attended my first professional event in Montreal and am curious to understand why there is so little sound coming off the racquets of well hit balls by many Spanish players. My ears noticed but my eyes could not find a relationship. Can you shed some light on this phenomena?
Great question, Kevin. I’ve heard that myself too many times.
Well, Spanish players just spin the ball so much that there’s less “direct” contact with the ball and hence less “pop” to be heard.
I’ve heard Federer at Roland Garros switch effortlessly from a popping forehand to a “quiet” spin forehand many times during a single point…
Another amazing virtual tennis lesson. In addition to observing the movemement only of the hand, you can be two different types of volleys: 1)forehand, with some upward swing to hit the ball after a low passing shot and after a 2) backhand volley, much higher to make a definition. Thanks Tomaz. Regards.
I echo Danny – Milos’ forehand technique is much better. On his backhand there is a significant amount of “swing”, although it is mostly due to his wrist. On the forehand there is less racket head movement PRIOR to contact and a more direct relationship between the racket head path and his economical movement with the hand/arm – even his follow through is more direct through the ball and towards the target. On his backhand, he drops the racket head WAY back and swings it up to contact then drops his hand and racket ACROSS the ball at contact – a lot more chance for miss-hit if you do not time it correctly. I love the no racket videos – REALLY instructive! Thanks
No racquet videos are a great learning tool!
Tomaz,
Million thanks for your videos. I have been using your ideas and improved a lot. 🙂
Thanks,
Raju