Volley and overhead: avoiding the net

What this lesson covers

Missing the net often stems from the racket head pointing down during preparation. Keeping the elbows close to the body allows the core to initiate the movement, ensuring the racket head faces the target rather than the floor. A compact preparation prevents the racket from disappearing behind the body, which helps maintain a direct path to the ball.

Extension is another factor in net errors. Reaching too far forward forces the wrist to break and the ball to travel downward. Instead, the motion should move forward and finish above the net level. For overheads, catching the ball at a higher point provides more margin for error and allows for a freer swing. Extending away from the stomach ensures the ball travels safely over the net rather than into it.