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Proper Grip:
Continental. For right-handed players, top knuckle of index
finger on right bevel, index finger slightly separated and
the “v” created by the thumb and index finger
should rest on the left bevel. For lefties, top knuckle of
index finger on left bevel, index finger slightly separated
and the “v’ created by the index finger and the
thumb should rest on the right bevel.
 NOTE:
picture of a close up on the grip – I don’t think
the next sentence is needed because this article is supposed
to be on the backhand volley –
The continental
grip allows you to play forehand or backhand volleys using
only one grip. Your reaction time and quickness will be greatly
improved once you become accustomed to this grip.
Spreading
your index finger on the grip handle gives a player more feel
and control on volleys, especially when hitting drop volleys.
Ready
Position: When you are at the net your feet should
be spread slightly wider than the width of your shoulders.
Your knees should be relaxed and flexed with your weight on
the balls of your feet. Your arms should be positioned out
in front and away from your body with your paddle head up
and tilted slightly to the backhand side. Your non-paddle
hand should cradle the paddle.
NOTE:
Picture of Ready position
 How
to Hit the Backhand Volley: As the ball approaches,
turn the paddle face towards the ball and slightly opened.
Keep the paddle head up but at an angle and squeeze on your
grip as the ball hits the paddle face. You will push forward
slightly releasing the fingertips of your non-paddle hand.
If the ball is hit right to you it will not require any footwork.
However, if the ball is hit away from you, step at an angle
towards the ball with your right foot if you are right handed
and your left foot if you are left handed. Both legs should
be flexed with your knees bent. The lower the ball is the
lower you need to get down. Do not drop your paddle head to
hit low backhand volley - bend your knees and keep your back
straight! Dropping the paddle head will cause you to either
pop your volley up or dump it into the net.
Let the ball play
into your paddle rather than going out to get it like you
would for a tennis volley. If you lunge towards the ball,
you will tend to hit short volleys that will set up your opponents
drives. By allowing the ball to play into your paddle, your
paddle will absorb some of the speed allowing you to control
the ball better and enabling you to hit deeper volleys. If
you can keep your opponents behind the baseline with your
backhand volley they will be unable to set up an offensive
drive.
NOTE: Picture of
volley
SUGGESTION: Target:
placing your volley deep (back third of the court, by the
baseline) will keep your opponents in a defensive position…..
The
Importance of a Sound Backhand Volley: When you play
the game of platform tennis be prepared to hit many more backhand
volleys than forehand volleys. Drives that are hit right at
you and even those that are hit slightly towards your forehand
should be taken with your backhand volley. It is quicker and
easier to get the paddle face in the correct contact position
with the backhand volley. If you try to take these shots with
your forehand, you must get your entire body out of the way
to contact the ball and you will end up hitting the ball behind
you. Therefore, of the possible places to hit volleys, two
thirds are backhands and one third are forehands. Learning
to hit the proper backhand volley is essential to raising
the level of your game.
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