Volley
A volley is a stroke that is played before the ball bounces. It is normally hit when the player is inside the service line.
Beginners are sometimes more successful with hitting the volley because it does not require the eye-hand coordination of playing the ball off the bounce. Common mistakes made by beginning and intermediate players are taking too big a swing or swinging down on the ball. Players should be reminded to focus on control rather than speed and power.
Grip
The same grips used for the forehand and backhand are used for the volley. The eastern forehand and the eastern backhand should be used for both beginning and intermediate players. The volley grip for an advanced player is positioned between the forehand and the backhand groundstroke grips. The same grip is used for both the forehand and backhand volley.
Ready Position
The ready position is the same as for the forehand and backhand.
Volley Stroke
The volley progression includes the following steps:
- Begin with the athlete blocking the ball with his/her hand (hand up in the air as if giving a "high five").
- Add the racket, with the athlete holding the racket near the throat, so that the fingers are behind the strings, making a "big hand."
- Move the hand down the grip, eventually achieving an eastern grip position.
- The same progression is followed for the backhand, with a "big thumb" instead of a "big hand."
- Athletes turn sideways to the approaching ball.
- There is no backswing in the volley stroke.
- The ball should be met in front of the body with a short motion.
- The wrist is kept firm.
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Forehand
Volley Progression
(Dartfish) |
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Backhand
Volley Progression
(Dartfish) |
Once the athlete masters basic racket work, the athlete can learn to step into the stroke. Athletes should work on properly executing the volley while maintaining balance.
Follow-through
- The racket head should remain above the wrist throughout the volley.
- There is a short follow-through, finishing in the ready position for the next volley.
- Key words are "racket head up" and "keep the racket above the wrist."
