Notes & Homework

Skill: Volley

• Contact Point: Contact Point out in front, approx 12-15” in front of toes. Push forward through the ball with a guiding motion. 
• Weight Transfer: Allow weight to flow into your shot Body Positioning: Good Ready Position: elbows out in front of body, paddle in front of sternum, weight in balls of the feet. 
• Hands: Continental grip with medium strength. 
• Swing: Follow through pointing your paddle out in front directed at where you placed the ball. Do not over follow through - keep it compact and out in front.

Drill: Ball to Paddle Volley

• Players stand straight on skinny to each other at the NVZ. 
• One player underhand tosses a ball to partner that will hit a volley back to them.
•  Toss 1 forehand, 1 at body and 1 backhand. 
• Tossing player emphasis on good ready position to receive the ball after volley and good release forward when tossing.
• Hitting player emphasis on good volley mechanic. 
• Tactical Takeaways:
•  Improved ready position. 
• Improved volley control.

Drill:  Volley Grinder

• Players set up straight on skinny at NVZ.
•  Engage in a cooperative volley rally with the intent to see how long they can keep the rally going
•  Set timer for 1 min round and see how many they can do without messing up. 
• Repeat and try to beat your score. 
• Tactical Takeaways: 
• Improved volley consistency and ball control.

Skill: Overhead Smash

• Contact Point: Contact Point out in front, approx 12-15” in front of toes. Reach up to contact the ball out in front and snap over the ball with your wrist
•  Weight Transfer: Allow weight to flow into your shot. Use your legs and body rotation for power. 
• Body Positioning: Drop back with forehand side foot turning sideways- perpendicular to the net. Side slide to get behind the ball for contact out in front of you - NO BACK PEDALING
•  Hands: Non dominant hand up reaching for ball, paddle up behind your head. 
• Swing: Reach up high for this ball. Don’t let it drop too far. You want to snap over the top of it.