Keep an extra ball up your sleeve to guide you.

By Keith Swindoll
Illustration by Keith Witmer

Few shots are as challenging as the low volley. You have to hit the ball up so it clears the net, but not hit it so weakly that your opponent has an easy pass. Here’s a simple tip that will help you master this shot: Practice hitting low volleys with a tennis ball placed under your hitting arm.

The best contact point for a low volley is to the right or left side of your body (depending on whether it’s a forehand or backhand) and in front of you. Sometimes players lunge and hit too far in front or to the side of their bodies; or they wait too long and hit the ball when it’s behind them. With a tennis ball under your hitting arm, you’ll be forced to hold the racquet out in front of you and use proper technique. If your arm stretches too far to the side or reaches too far forward, the ball will fall out. Once you can position yourself to hit low volleys with a ball under your arm, you’ll become a stronger and more consistent net player.

Keith Swindoll, a USPTA Master Professional, is the director of tennis at Indian Hills Country Club in Tuscaloosa, Ala.