INSTRUCTION
By Alice Tym
VISUALIZING OUTSTANDING VOLLEYS
I
n the early 1970s, Timothy
first. It’s ready and forward, not
drilling for placement. The player
Gallwey’s highly successful
ready, back, and then forward. Kids
needs a sense of spatial alignment.
book, “The Inner Game of
like the idea of a punch and can be
Meet the ball early with a punch to
Tennis,” had tennis players
encouraged to attack the volley like
the forehand corner with the left
around the globe visualizing
a prizefighter. This image helps the
shoulder pointed at the target in
themselves hitting beautiful tennis
players play the ball rather than
the forehand corner. (In advanced
strokes. Whether you’re a player
the ball playing the players. And,
exchanges at the net, a player may
or an instructor, it’s invaluable to
the prizefighter regains his balance
only have enough time to slightly
provide vivid mental images to
and resets!
turn his shoulder.) In order to place
guide your drills, practice and play.
Another useful teaching tool is
the ball in the backhand corner,
Good images can also help you
having players line up in the ready
a player needs to turn his left
regain your form when you do make
position against a wall or fence to
shoulder so it points more down the
a mistake during match play. Instead
hit volleys. The wall prevents them
center of the court. Make sure your
of berating yourself, you know
from taking a big backswing and/
legs are doing the work and you’re
where to turn
to recoup your
shots. Frustration
is a real
stumbling block
for beginners.
Visualizing
yourself hitting
the ball using
proper technique
is a positive
counteraction
against
frustration.
The volley is the
easiest stroke to
hit and to teach.
It’s simplicity at its
Players line up in the ready position with their backs against the wall to help curb the urge to take a big backswing on the volley.
best. But so many
players try to
overreach, overswing, and overdo. I
or stepping back. It forces players to
contacting the ball out in front
like to start players with the image of
move forward into the ball.
using frontal rather than peripheral
a prizefighter. His fists are up and in
The third image involves
vision—like a prizefighter!
front, ready. His knees are bent, and
placement. Early goes crosscourt;
Finally, buy a manikin. Kids love
his weight is on the balls of his feet.
late goes down the line. How early?
to punch those volleys at someone.
The fighter punches from the ready
How late? Baseball images come in
Dress him up. Make it fun. Put a
position, not using a roundhouse
handy here. The batter hits early to
bull’s-eye on the right shoulder.
swing. If he were to take his fists
left field or third base. He delays a
Visualizing doesn’t get any better
back behind him, his opponent
bit to hit later toward right field or
than that! •
would see the opening and punch
first base. I like to use targets when
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