While most shots in tennis require you to generate pace, when volleying the most important skill is learning to receive the incoming shot. As you will learn from the videos in our volley technique section, when volleying, less is more. A “quiet” racquet and the integration of all the fundamentals described in the videos will get you ready to handle anything coming at you when at the net.
The Advantage of Using a Continental Grip on a Forehand Volley
Players usually learn to volley using their groundstroke forehand grip and for a while it works quite well. However, in order to continue to improve, it is very important that they switch to a Continental Grip. This grip will allow them...
Do not Use the Wrist on your Forehand Volley
An effective forehand volley requires a firm wrist. The movement of the racquet head comes from the forearm and shoulder. The wrist will increase the power of the volleys but also the mistakes. Keep the wrist firm and enjoy the control!...
Three Tips for Better Half Volleys
Half volleys are difficult shots, but these three tips will help you feel more comfortable with the stroke. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, register here for a free trial, or become a member ...
Developing a One-Handed Volley for Two-Handed Players
A one-handed backhand volley is much more effective than a two-handed volley because of the additional reach. Here are some ideas on how to help a two-handed player develop a better one-handed volley. To get access to the vi...
How to Handle Body-shots at the Net
When at the net facing a ball that comes straight at you, your best option is to use a backhand volley. Unless you have time to move out of the way, you will never reach an effective position with a forehand volley. To get a...
Hitting Better Wide Forehand Volleys
The normal tendency on wide forehand volleys is to hit the ball in the net. This is because as you stretch your racquet head will naturally close. In order to avoid this, change your grip to open the racquet head when stretched. Here is...
Using the Topspin or Swinging Volley
By loading the video, you agree to Vimeo’s privacy policy.Learn more Load video Always unblock Vimeo A topspin volley allows you to take a high, slow ball in the air and hit it aggressively. The shot is technically very similar to a sh...
Use the Topspin Volley as a Transition Shot
By loading the video, you agree to Vimeo’s privacy policy.Learn more Load video Always unblock Vimeo A topspin volley is a transition shot, usually hit on your way tot he net. Once you are at the net you have to use regular volleys. Ma...
Two handed Backhand Swinging Volley
By loading the video, you agree to Vimeo’s privacy policy.Learn more Load video Always unblock Vimeo If you have a two handed backhand learning to hit a swinging volley is a must to help you take advantage of high, slow balls. Normally...
Learning to hit an Effective Drop Volley
By loading the video, you agree to Vimeo’s privacy policy.Learn more Load video Always unblock Vimeo A drop volley is a very effective tool to allow you to change the rhythm of the point. This shot requires you to learn to dampen the o...
The Ideal Footwork to Reach Wide Volleys
At the net you need to be efficient to be able to cover the net effectively. Ideally you should be able to reach wide ball with three steps. Here is how. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, regis...
The Right Attitude at the Net is Half the Battle
Being mentally ready at the net will make a huge difference. Here are a few ideas on how to develop the right attitude at the net. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, register here for a free tri...
Use an Aggressive Stance at the Net
At the net there is no time to waste. If you are not ready to move you have no chance, therefore, make sure that you use an aggressive, athletic stance that will allow you to pounce on the ball. To get access to the videos a...
The Importance of the Split Step at the Net
Developing a fluid split step at the net is essential. Here is how to go about it. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, register here for a free trial, or become a member of „Tennis2Brain“, th...
The Ideal Place to Practice your Volleys
The best place to practice your volleys is at the service line. There you will receive all sorts of volleys: high, low, half volleys, etc. Practicing too close to the net will make you feel good but will not develop your net game. ...
Use Slice to Control your Volleys Better
A little slice will help you control your volleys better. However, be careful not to overdo it. The clip will explain the best way to do this. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, register here fo...
Move Through your Volleys
A short backswing is essential to execute solid volleys. However, keeping the backswing short does limit your power on the volleys. To compensate for that, use your body. Move through the shot. To get access to the videos an...
How to Hit Better Low Volleys
A common mistake on low volleys is to try to hit up on the ball. Instead, the best way to handle these types of shots is to open the racquet head more and hit through the ball. Let’s take a look! To get access to the video...
Technical Differences Between High and Low Forehand Volleys
There is a significant difference in technique between high forehand volleys and low forehand volleys. While the forearm is mainly involved in low volleys, high volleys require the involvement of the shoulder. To get access ...
Keep your Shoulders Level for Better Volleys
In order to hit a solid volley, you need to be able to swing through the shot. That is, you need to set the racquet behind the incoming ball and push through. Keeping your shoulders level and using your knees to lower your racquet head ...
Synchronize Legs and Arm Better Volleys
In order to hit a better volley, use the body momentum. Work on stepping into the shot so that the ball contacts the strings at the same time as your foot contacts the ground. To get access to the videos and premium media, j...
Use your Knees to Adjust to the Ball
Although it is not possible to hit every volley at chest level, it is still a good goal to pursue. This way of thinking will force you to really get low for lower volleys by bending your knees, which will keep your body in a much more s...
Take Large Steps to Hit Better Low Volleys
Taking large steps towards the ball will automatically lower your center of gravity. Therefore, make sure your last step is long when hitting low volleys. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, regi...
Hit the Ball in Front of the Body on your Forehand Volley
Hitting the ball in front of the body is essential for a solid forehand volley. Therefore, work on keeping the elbow in front of the body and laying your wrist back. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login ...
The Hook Shot – A Great last Resource at the Net
Sometimes the ball is coming fast and high and you are in a situation where it is too high for a volley and too fast for an overhead. The ball gets over your head but if you let it bounce you will loose the point. In these cases your onl...
The Correct Use of the Non-Dominant Hand as we Swing
Many mistakes occur when a players uses their non-dominant hand incorrectly as they swings. The non-dominant hand should stay up until the players starts to swing. As the players move their racquet towards the ball the non-dominant hand ...
Volley – Think Catch for Great Volleys
The key to great volleying is to change your mentality. At the net you need to think about catching the ball – not hitting the ball. Set your strings right behind the ball and then just push. To get access to the videos an...
The Half Volley Makes you a Complete Player at the Net
A good half volley is an essential shot for any net player. Before you reach an offensive position at the net you will frequently face a low shot around the service line. Sometimes you will be able to volley this shot but many times you ...
Move Through the Half Volleys
Half volleys are transition shots usually hit while moving towards the net. They require a very short backswing and a fluid, compact swing. Therefore it is important to use the body momentum to help control the shot. Players should focu...
One Hand or Two Hands for a Backhand Half Volley?
When hitting a backhand half volley, players with a two handed backhand find it easier to hit the shot with two hands, however, just as on regular backhand volleys a player that can hit the shot with one hand will have an advantage, esp...
Half volley Technique
Hitting a half volley requires a very short backswing and a low to high swing. Setting the racquet head behind and under the bounce of the ball and hitting up and out will help you control the shot. Drop the racquet head slightly so tha...
Maintain an “L” for Better Forehand Volleys
Keeping the wrist up to hit a volley will allow for more solid contact points. Keeping an “L” shape between the racquet and the arm is a good guideline. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, re...
Same Volley Grip for Forehand and Backhand Volley?
What is the ideal grip at the net? In general the Continental Grip can be used to hit a forehand and a backhand volley. However, small adjustments on each side are acceptable. The emphasis is on “small.” To get access to...
Volley Contact Point – Forehand and Backhand
It is important to differentiate between the contact point on the forehand volley and on the backhand volley. On the Forehand you want to make contact in front of the body with the wrist laid back. On the backhand, the contact is more on...
Set the Strings at the Height of the Incoming Ball for Better Volleys
Great volleyers set the strings behind the path of the incoming ball to avoid swinging up or down the ball. Let's take a look. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here, register here for a free trial, ...
The Ideal Grip for a Forehand Volley
It is common for beginners to use the same grip to hit a forehand off the ground and a forehand volley. However, a Continental grip is a much better option at the net. To get access to the videos and premium media, just logi...
Keep a Firm Wrist on your Forehand Volley
A solid forehand volley is a compact shot with little motion. The pace on the ball is generated by the body moving through the ball and by a compact swing using mainly the forearm. The wrist remains firm at contact to help the player co...
The Ideal Grip for a Backhand Volley
The grip is the base for a successful shot, and for a backhand volley a Continental grip is ideal. Learn why and how to find the Continental grip in this video. To get access to the videos and premium media, just login here,...
Forehand Topspin Volley Swing Path
The swing path for this topspin volley starts around head height. The racquet moves back and down before moving steeply up to contact. The contact point in this clip is way above the head. As with any heavy topspin shot, the wrist and ...
Two-handed Backhand Topspin Volley
The topspin volley is used in match play as a transition shot from the baseline to the net when players face high slow balls. The contact point is about shoulder level. The player should move through the shot and accelerate the racquet h...
Forehand Topspin Volley
The topspin volley is used in match play as a transition shot from the baseline to the net when players face high slow balls. The contact point is about shoulder level. The player should move through the shot and accelerate the racquet h...
Forehand Half Volley
The forehand half volley requires a very short backswing and a low preparation. The racquet head remains parallel to the net to assure solid contact right after the bounce. The swing is forwards and upwards, and the contact point is belo...
Backhand Half Volley
A one handed backhand volley is a nice addition to the game of a two-handed player. The same goes for a one handed half volley. Just as with the forehand half volley, the backhand half volley requires a very short backswing and a low p...
High Finishing Forehand Volley
In this analysis we see a player hitting a high volley. Contact is in front of the body around shoulder level. There is very litle wrist movement and the arm is firm. The backswing is compact with a slight shoulder rotation. The playe...
One-handed Backhand Volley from the Side
In this technical demonstration we see a player hitting a medium high backhand voley. In this type of volley the player makes contact with the ball between the hip and the shoulder and transfers his wieght forward from the left leg to ...
The Forehand Building Volley
The animation shows the path of the racquet on a building forehand, a first volley as the player approaches the net. On these type of volleys the swing is longer, especially the follow through because in general the ball has to travel ...
Backhand Topspin Volley Swing Path
The swing path of this topspin Backhand volley starts about head height. The lowest point of the swing is about hip height. You can clearly see the use of the wrists at the end of the backswing. The swing moves steeply up to contact befo...
Backhand Half Volley Swing Path
Just as with the forehand half volley, the backhand half volley uses a very compact backswing. The racquet drops on the backswing and then moves up and forwards to contact. At contact the racquet head is parallel to the net. ...
The Forehand Half Volley Swing Path
The half volley uses a very short backswing starting very close to the ground. The racquet moves down and then up and forwards through contact. Half volleys are played with little topspin and a firm wrist. To get access to t...
The Backhand Drop Volley Swing Path
As with every slice shot, the swing starts above the contact point with the racquet head above the wrist and descends stepply to contact. There is practically no forward momentum on the racquet head and hte racquet head moves slightly ...
The Drop Volley Swing Path
The swing path of the forehand drop volley is similar to other drop shot swings, weather in the air or after the bounce. The swing starts with a very short backswing and the racquet head above the wrist. The racquet swings down to find t...