All you need to improve your net-rushing game is a basket. Yes, a basket.

By Dave Gary

The best way to sharpen your serve-and-volley technique is to practice it in matches or with a partner. But here’s a drill that can help you when you can’t find someone willing to return serves all day.

Place a basket full of balls near the T, where you would take your initial split-step during a point. Carry one ball from the hopper back to the baseline, hit a serve, and charge forward to the service line and split-step. Retrieve a ball from the hopper, run back to the baseline, and repeat.

This drill works on two levels. For one, people underestimate the role of stamina in serving and volleying. If you can repeat this drill for long stretches, you won’t tire as quickly in matches, when you’ll have more time between attacks. Second, the drill stresses the importance of moving forward through your serve to help you get to the net as fast as possible, which is essential for serving and volleying.

Place the hopper at the T, take a ball back to the baseline, and hit a serve.

Split-step as you would for a volley, grab another ball, and return to the baseline to serve again.

Dave Gary is a USPTA Master Professional in Peachtree City, Ga.