Ryan

"The pros do often change grips on volleys. Depending on the height of the volley or how wide the ball has been hit. I had the opportunity to ask the famous Swedish player, Stefan Edberg if it was true that a good volleyer only used a continental grip to volley. He said the player would use the grip that best allowed him to create the angle or speed he wanted to hit the volley with. He said a player would change grips often in an exchange to get the angle of the racquet the way he wanted it to be based upon the ball he was receiving.

A wide and low forehand volley might be hit with a backhand grip to get the angle of the racquet face so the ball would go up and over the net while a wide low backhand might be hit with an eastern forehand grip to get behind the ball and the racquet face open. A low volley might be hit with a continental grip and a high volley might be hit with an eastern forehand or eastern backhand. A ball into the body but hit with a forehand grip might be semi western to western to get the hand across in front of the body and still keep the racquet face pointed over the net.

Each grip has a strength and a weakness. The skill is the use the strengths of each type to over-ride the weakness so you can capitalize the most in your volley. Yes, sometimes you make good choices and some times you make bad choices - just like your shot selection on any shot during a match. Experiment and see what works best for you - then practice to gain the experience to know the difference.

John the Coach