The swing volley—once considered a radical shot pioneered by the likes of Andre Agassi—is now commonplace on the pro tour for both men and women. Players rip the ball from all corners of the court directly out of the air, with little fear or reservation.
Let's explore the technique and tactics of this modern shot. This month the forehand swing volley and next month the backhand.
Positioning is Key
The footwork setup is critical for this aggressive shot. Players must move quickly and urgently forward without hesitation. The mindset of attacking any high floating balls is also key. Players need to have the confidence to attack with no fear. Footwork builds this confidence.
Chris Lewit is a leading high-performance coach, author, and educator. He is the
author of the best-selling book, The Secrets of Spanish Tennis, and a new technique
book, Winning Pretty, which will be published by New Chapter Press in paperback in
2025. Secrets of Spanish Tennis, Second Edition will be published in September 2024,
also by New Chapter Press. He is also a contributing editor for Tennisplayer.net
magazine and a long-time member of the USPTA and PTR. As an educator, he has
presented at several large conferences including the PTR International Tennis
Symposium. Chris is currently studying kinesiology and biomechanics and headed for
graduate school in that field.
As a player, Chris Lewit played No. 1 for Cornell University and competed on the
USTA and ITF pro circuits. As a coach, he has recently worked with several No. 1 junior
players in the US and has trained hundreds of nationally ranked juniors. He directs a
full-time academy for homeschool/online players and a high performance summer camp
program, as well as high performance training for all ages and levels, all at his
club in the beautiful green mountains of Manchester, Vermont. Contact Chris directly by
phone/WhatsApp 914-462-2912 or chris@chrislewit.com.
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