Kyle LaCroix: The Serve and Volley Mentality

[gzhpcu]

Kyle, I liked your article. You made some great points. In particular, acceptance of getting passed when you serve and volley. I remember a British coach, C.M. Jones, saying in one of his old 60's books, to persevere. At first you might get passed, but with a relentless attack, the defending player will start feeling the pressure as the match goes on. Accept that the other player will hit great passing shots now and then. It is a question of percentage tennis. If the points won surpass the points lost at the net, then all is well. But nowadays, as you mention, players get passed once or twice and then get discouraged and hang back (maybe because not being convinced don't really attack all that well?)

[klacr]

Thanks Phil. Glad you enjoyed it.
Pleasantly surprised John called it up to the mound in this month's issue.
You are right on the percentage tennis comment. Losing a few battles but eventually winning the war. Inherently tougher to hit a passing shot under pressure late in matches than it is in the early stages. This cumulative pressure induced on the opponent can make them crack, lose focus and confidence.
Remember, sometimes the best volleys we hit are the ones we never touch. In other words, a large percentage of points won at net are actually from opponents errors, balls hit into net, wide or long.

But yes, a bigger issue is the lack of understanding on how to properly play and execute in the forecourt area. Learning how to hit sharp technically sound volleys from all positions as well as half volleys. Being comfortable being uncomfortable.

Rick Macci makes an excellent point, one that I've been touting for years, as in his article on the "The New Volley Paradigm". In the section titled "Calmness"
http://www.tennisplayer.net/members/..._paradigm.html

This calmness gets overlooked. Not every volley we hit will be slow and shoulder height. It's important we accept all volleys from all angles, heights and depths. Staying calm under pressure while applying your own to your opponents. This is key.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[johnyandell]

You wonder how many players actually have or could have this mentality lurking right below the surface of their topspin backcourt games.

[klacr]

You wonder how many players actually have or could have this mentality lurking right below the surface of their topspin backcourt games.

Or how many players HAD this mentality before being sent to the baseline with the rest of the junior group because it was "easier" for the coach.

Similar to the player's who may be more natural at one-handed backhands than two, but were pigeonholed into two handers.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton