Notes & Homework

 Skill: Punch Volley

• Contact Point: Out in front. Push fwd through ball with guiding motion.
• Weight Transfer: Allow weight to flow into your shot.
• Body Positioning: Good Ready Position
• Hands: Continental grip with medium strength.
• Swing: Follow through pointing your paddle out in front where you placed the ball. Do not over follow through-keep it compact and out in front.

Drill: Toss, Volley, Catch

• Part #1: Players set up at NVZ cross court or straight on. 1 Player hitting volleys and the other tossing.
• Toss ball to hitter alternating forehand and backhand target.
• Hitter focuses on 1 of the technical aspects of volley.
• Tosser focuses on catching volley out in front and watching paddle face
• Part #2: Same set up but players randomize tosses and focus on ball recognition of where their partner is tossing or hitting.

Skill: High Slap Volley

• Contact Point: CONTACT POINT is key! Too early (swing too soon) = in the net. Too late (big backswing) = sailing long. Prep. Pause. Swing.
• Weight Transfer: Load and rotate into this shot to provide power.
• Hands: Forehands-reach up with non paddle hand as if you are going to catch the ball.
• Swing: Short to no Backswing. Accelerate through the ball.

Drill: Toss & Attack

• Place cone piles down the line mid court.
• Feeders stand close to basket at T of NVZ to allow room to hit down the line.
• Hitters set up at NVZ.
• Feeder tosses the ball to partner who attacks with focus on timing with contact point.
• Balls ideally fed shoulder height or higher.
• 1 min forehand feed. 1 min backhand feed. 

Skill: Defending the Pop Up

• Contact Point: Out in front, and typically low.
• Weight Transfer: Allow weight to flow into shot. Use weight to direct the ball rather than swing at it.
• Body Positioning: Athletic stance with weight forward.
• Hands: Soft hands and wrist to provide shock absorber for ball.
• Swing: Push this ball forward. Avoid swinging up at this ball.