[tennisbiz] Re: Swinging Volley

<x-charset Windows-1252>Two years ago, at the annual ITA convention, Martina Hingas' mother was
teaching a private lesson to a young child. She was tossing very soft balls
and had the child hitting them out of the air with a full swing. In other
words, without saying it, she was using the "swinging volley" to start the
child off. Why? Here are the benefits:

1. It is easier for a beginner to hit a ball out of the air than off a
bounce (less variables).
2. They will hit a ball above their waist - think about this one. All
children hit most of their shots above their waist or more like at shoulder
height since they are not that tall.
3. This tactic also gets them to hold some kind of grip to create topspin,
either eastern or perhaps preferably towards semi-western.

The key from my experience is to use the "observation" rather than "command"
method. Guide them towards a grip that will create topspin. Once they have
this shot out of the air, it will allow them to quickly pick up a topspin
forehand off the ground. Give them 1-2 shots they can hit fairly well
quickly and have fun with and THEN they will come back for more. When they
come back for more, they will get better, in spite of any limitations that
we all have as teachers.

Best regards,

Joe Dinoffer
President
Oncourt Offcourt, Inc.
5427 Philip Ave.
Dallas, TX 75223 USA
Tel: 214-823-3078
Fax: 214-823-3082
Email: joe_at_oncourtoffcourt.com
Website: www.oncourtoffcourt.com
 
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Received on Mon Jul 16 2001 - 07:05:26 CDT