Ask the Coach

Do you have a question for Alek? Send them to info@hespelertennis.on.ca, or call him directly at the club at 519-654-9104. Here are some questions that others have asked:

When is the best time to volley in both singles and doubles?

Good question. Volley strategy is different for singles and doubles. Let’s start with singles. You have to prepare for a volley by getting closer to the net, and you generally approach the net during the shot before your volley. The best time to approach the net is when your opponent hits a weak shot that lands between the service line and the net. When your opponent hits a short, weak shot you have more time to get in position to hit an offensive approach shot, and since you are already half way to the net after you hit your approach shot, you are now ready to hit your first volley.

Now let’s consider doubles play. The same principle applies in getting to the net in doubles as in singles. Wait for a weak and short groundstroke from your opponent and charge into the net ready for your first volley.

However, in doubles you might already be at the net. If you are, then it’s a much different situation. I’m sure a lot of people wonder what they should be doing in this situation. When you're already at the net you want to make sure you are ready to cover the ‘down the line’ shot from your opponent, but at the same time you want to be ready to cross the court and put away a volley. This is particularly important when you can see that your opponent is in trouble and you feel that he or she will hit a weak shot, cross court.

So really the person at the net has 2 jobs. One, cover the ‘down the line’ because that is the shot you never want to get beat by. And two, be ready to pick off the weak shot from an opponent trying to hit it to your partner. In other words, be ready to volley. So hold your ground, be patient, and be ready to cross over and volley a weak shot when the opportunity arises.

This is not so much a question as it is an observation. In this club when warming up before playing doubles I notice that all 4 players are playing together and therefore only get to hit the ball once every 4 shots. In the clubs I grew up in we would always warm up for doubles by playing one on one using half the court which of course is more efficient. (i.e you hit against the person opposite you only, so there are 2 rallies going on at the same time). Is this a Hespeler club thing (perhaps because many players are new and might not know the proper tennis etiquette in this situation)?

That’s a great question. And yes, you're right... a much more traditional warm up consists of one on one hitting with one opponent rallying down the line with another and not a group of 4 rallying together. A good doubles warm up should include:

Start hitting down the line with one of your opponents
Then you and your partner should both go to the net and volley down the line to your opponents
Then the volleyers should take a few overheads
Then the volleyers should go back to the baseline and let the other team come to the net and take some practice volleys (regular and overhead)
Once both teams have had enough groundstrokes, volleys, and overhead practice it’s time to take some practice serves. Both teams should take turns serving back to each other
Also, if you feel your serve is ready and but your opponents would still like to have a few more serves, this would be a good time to practice a few service returns
After everyone is ready it’s time for one team to spin their racquet or flip a coin. Winner of the toss can either serve first, or pick which side they want to start on.