Should my youngster learn a one handed backhand volley even though most of the ones I see from the pros are ‘big swing’ two handed slug volleys?
If you can get your kiddos’ opponents to sign an agreement that they will present her with only high volleys, then she does not need a one handed volley.
Just remember this, as she advances up the ranks, players become adept at getting the ball low and wide and infrequently pop up the high volley for her.
Parents have said, ‘my daughter’s just not strong enough to play the one handed volley.’ When queried about her age, it turns out Grace just turned eight in February. One day she’ll be sixteen and that day will arrive long before you can imagine it.
So yes, my recommendation is to introduce a Grace to the one handed backhand volley at 8. She’s not going to be playing that many volleys in matches anyway in the 10’s, 12’s, or 14’s. Let her get with a good USPTA pro who can teach her the fundamentals. Easily fed or tossed balls right to the racquet after some instruction will be telling. Ask her if it feels Graceful.
Show her how to play a little crosscourt angle after the ball has bounced. She may love this shot and yet not use it in matches until her fifteenth birthday. Don’t neglect the aggressive two handed volley as it might be her favorite shot but sprinkle one handed volleys into every practice session.
By weaving in the one handed capability starting early, you might be amazed to see how multidimensional she becomes as she ages. You might marvel at her auxiliary one handed under spin backhand when she’s thirteen. Trust me…most kids in the 12’s and 14’s need a ton of work in this area.
As Steve Stefanki once said, ‘you don’t coach kids for short term results.’ Start thinking big picture so when she’s in high school those low and stretch volleys are handled more Gracefully and that emergency under spin backhand looks like Steffi Graf’s.
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