As a naïve junior player it was drummed into me,” You must step into the volley! Get forward!” But many years, much experience and research later I discovered that this is not strictly true.

The thinking behind volleying should not be set in stone either way because the correct answer to this quandary is the same to many other enigmas: IT DEPENDS.

It all depends on the speed, height and direction of the incoming ball which determine what your feet need to do.

If you’ve been drilled to step forwards on all volleys then this mentality can seriously harm your movement to reach wide volleys when an opponent tries to pass you down the line during a game of doubles when you should step outwards first to cover the distance.

Unfortunately, this coaching approach to volleying still goes on. So, TIME FOR A REALITY CHECK!

Just watch Jamie Murray and Bruno Soares perform a couple of useful doubles volleying drills for any standard. NOTE Jamie stepping into EVERY ball! 😊

Take care.

Andy Magrath