Volley

The volley is the shot played before the ball bounces, almost always from inside the service line. It is the finishing tool of the all-court game and the reward for an aggressive approach.

Grip and contact

All volleys are hit with the continental ('hammer') grip — the same grip used for the serve. This lets the player hit forehand and backhand volleys without changing the hand, which is critical given the reaction time involved.

Contact is firm and in front of the body. The racket head stays above the wrist; the wrist itself is locked. There is almost no backswing — the swing is more like a controlled punch.

Footwork at the net

Every volley starts with a split step as the opponent strikes the ball. From the split, the player steps diagonally forward with the opposite foot — left foot for a forehand volley, right foot for a backhand volley (right-handers).

The first step is forward and into the ball, never backwards or sideways. Net play rewards aggression.

Court positioning

Stand close enough to put pressure on the opponent (typically 1-2 metres inside the service line) but far enough back to cover the lob. After every volley, recover to bisect the opponent's possible angles.

Low volleys are dug out with bent knees and a slightly open racket face; high volleys are punched aggressively for placement.

Common mistakes

Using a forehand grip on volleys — the racket face is too closed on the backhand side.
Big backswing — adds nothing and creates late contact.
Standing flat-footed instead of split-stepping on the opponent's contact.
Stepping back from low volleys instead of bending the knees to reach them.
Wristy contact — the wrist must stay locked for a stable volley.

Drills

Wall volleys — 50 reps without missing, alternating forehand and backhand.
Approach + first volley — coach feeds short, you approach and put away.
Touch volleys — 20 drop volleys aiming for the service box.
Reaction volleys — coach feeds rapid balls from the service line.

Brief history

Serve-and-volley dominated grass and fast hard courts until the late 1990s. Slower court speeds and bigger topspin from the baseline pushed the all-court style to the margins, but the volley remains essential at doubles and at the highest level of singles.

Notable players

Patrick Rafter — pure serve-and-volley artistry on grass.
Martina Navratilova — the most complete net player in women's tennis history.
Roger Federer — modern hybrid net game.
John McEnroe — touch and angles unmatched at the net.