Players like Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic make tennis look easy to most people, but the between the legs shot is one that looks difficult no matter who is pulling it off. This difficult shot is normally attempted only after tracking backward to a ball that has been lobbed over your head, and to complete the shot you need proper footwork, body positioning and the correct timing to hit the ball over the net without injuring yourself in the process.
Step 1
Watch the flight of the ball and position your body so that the ball will land directly in front of you. You will need to have an awareness of where you are on the court, as your back will be to the net and you will be hitting the shot based on instinct rather than sight. It might be best to try this shot when you are in the center of the court so that you can hit the ball straight backward, with some margin for error.
Step 2
Position your feet about shoulder-width apart as you come to a stop, giving you ample room to swing a racket through your legs. Your last step or two should be wider than normal so that when you come to a stop, your feet are at shoulder distance apart.
Step 3
Let the ball drop so that you hit it just above the ground. If you try to swing when the ball is too high, you will likely hit yourself in the process. Wait until the ball bounces, and then try to catch the ball when it is just a few inches off the ground as it comes back down again. The lower the ball, the better leverage you can get on the ball to get it not only over the net but also to drop on the other side.
Step 4
Swing your racket down toward the ground with one hand, flicking your wrist upward when you make contact with the ball. This also will help the ball get up off the ground and over the net.
Tips and Warnings
- Turn and face the net right after finishing the shot. Your opponent will likely have a good chance at a return shot, so you will want to be ready to continue to the volley. This shot requires a tremendous amount of skill, so practice is necessary to be able to pull off such a difficult shot in competition.
Things You'll Need
- Tennis racket
- Tennis ball
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