Hitting Volleys in tennis is one of my favorite parts because they are exciting and fast-paced!
Volleys are used a lot in doubles tennis which is what I have played for most of my tennis playing days.
What is the best strategy for hitting a strong volley?
It all starts with knowing what a volley actually is.
In this blog post we will cover everything you need to know about how to hit a volley in tennis and the best ways to practice this important shot.
- What is a volley in tennis?
- Tennis Volley Grip
- Volley Types You Need to Know
- How to Hit a Forehand Volley
- How to Hit a Backhand Volley
- What is a half volley in tennis?
- How to Hita Drop Volley
- Volley in Tennis Technique
- Tennis Volley Drills to Improve
(This post contains affiliate links. To read our full disclosure policy click here.)
What is a volley in tennis?
A volley is a shot in tennis where the player returns the ball before it bounces on their side of the court.
It is a tough shot and not all players are good at it but if you follow these tips you will be able to hit a strong volley in tennis.
Tennis Volley Grip
What grip should you use for a volley shot?
The continental forehand grip is what most tennis players use when hitting a volley.
This will give you some good control for a powerful shot.
You can read more about the different tennis grips here.
Volley Types You Need to Know
Did you know that there are different shots you can use for volleys?
The most common volleys are forehand and backhand.
These shots are usually close to the net and are quick.
They can also feel a bit awkward when starting out if you have mainly been practicing groundstrokes and tennis serves.
As your technique improves you will be able to hit them with control and accuracy to make them a winning shot.
Drop volleys and half volleys are also shots that we will discuss in this post.
Half volleys require a bit more coordination and can be very effective if you know how to do them correctly.
Drop volleys can also be effective but are more difficult to execute because they require a touch of luck as well.
It is important for competitive players to know these shots and practice them in order to hit volleys with success.
They can make the difference between winning or losing if used correctly.
How to Hit a Forehand Volley in Tennis
The first thing you need to know when hitting a forehand volley is that you will be using the racket to punch the ball instead of a full-on swing.
As we talked about earlier you will be using a continental grip and be in a ready stance before the ball reaches you.
Your ready stance should have your knees slightly bent and both feet should be pointing towards the net.
Make sure that your racket is up and ready to hit as well.
Once your opponent has hit the ball you will want to do a split step and bring your racket back slightly so that you can make contact and punch it over the net.
Then get back into ready position!
How to Hit a Backhand Volley in Tennis
The technique used to hit a backhand volley is very similar to that of a forehand volley.
However, the big difference is that you will need to hit the ball with your backhand and roll it over the net after making contact with the ball.
You will still use the same continental grip and straight arm pointing down the line, however, you will need to rotate your body in a clockwise fashion.
After rotating back and into the position you will point your elbow out at an angle that is parallel with the ground and then push forward on the ball.
Remember that this stroke is more like a punch with the racket instead of a swing.
What is a half volley in tennis?
A half volley is a shot that is hit high up in the air and when it bounces off of the ground, which gives your opponent less time to react.
Half volleys are often used to force an error from opponents by attacking them at a much faster pace than they can deal with.
Half volleys are shots that you should not use often and mean that you either need to get up closer to the net or back to the baseline.
How to Hit a Drop Volley
You will want to hit a drop volley when the ball is either at net height or lower.
This shot is usually used to surprise opponents who are expecting a groundstroke.
The drop volley also has the ability to be played cross-court or down the line, which can keep your opponent on their toes and not knowing where they need to stand in order for you to hit this type of ball.
You want to contact the ball and use your racket face to push it back in the direction it came from.
This is not an easy shot to make, but it is a good skill to have in your arsenal.
Volley in tennis technique
What is the best technique for hitting volleys?
For most people, the easiest way to learn how to hit a volley is by practicing on your own without any pressure from an opponent.
One of my favorite ways to do this is by using a wall.
I used to hit so many balls against a wall, trying different grips and shots.
Eventually, I started scoring on the other side of the court while only using volleys!
As a doubles player, I feel like the volley shot is one of my most used strokes as I spend a lot of time at the net.
You may use it a lot as a singles player too if you tend to play aggressively at the net.
Another technique you can try is by hitting with a friend or practice partner who will rally back and forth with you.
The key is practicing over time and frequently so that you can hit a volley consistently with confidence.
Tennis Volley Drills to Improve
What is one of the best ways to prove your volleying capabilities for your next tennis match?
Do some tennis drills!
Tennis drills will help you improve the power and accuracy of your shots.
This volley drills can be an excellent addition to any tennis lesson or practice.
ABC Tennis Volley Drill
I have no clue what the actual name of this drill is but it is one I recall doing in both high school and tennis.
For this volley drill you will need a tennis partner to do it with.
You will each stand at the mid-court line and hit volleys back as long as possible.
You can go through the alphabet as you hit them.
One person says “A” the next says “B” and so on and so on.
See if you can do enough back and forth volleys in a row without making a mistake to get through the whole alphabet.
You could also use a wall for this drill if you can’t find someone to practice hitting the ball with.
Fast and Furious Feeder Volley Drill
In this drill you will want to have a person or machine feed you volleys right near the net.
You will want to stand 3-4 feet back from the net while the feeder hits shots quickly toward you that you use your volley shot to return.
This drill keeps you on your toes and should improve your reaction time.
Volley Drill to Improve Accuracy
One of the most important skills in tennis is the ability to hit a clean and accurate volley.
For this drill you will want to set out some targets so that you will have something to aim for.
You could use cones (like these) or whatever else you would like as long as you can see if from where you are standing.
Have someone feed you balls and hit the volley while aiming at a specific target.
Put your targets in placed that you think would be good to hit during a match like the back corners.
Tennis Volley Drill to Practice When Alone
If you are alone the best drill to practice the volley is to find a wall and use that as your opponent.
You will want to stand a few feet away from the wall and try to keep the ball in the air by volleying against the wall for as long as possible.
To make it more fun count how many hits you are able to keep going before a mistake is made and then try to keep beating that number.
Practicing tennis alone can actually be very effective and the wall is your best friend.
Feeling Confident About Your Tennis Volley Shot?
Now that you’ve learned how to hit a tennis volley, it is time to practice these skills.
You can do this by practicing on your own or with someone who knows what they are doing.
The more you play and the better you get at volleying, the less likely an opponent will be able to keep up with your shots!
Whether you want to learn how to serve like Serena Williams or simply improve your game for social purposes, I hope these tips help take your level of play in singles tennis from amateurish (or even beginner) all the way up to expert-level status!
Let me know if there is anything else we can answer for you about playing tennis by commenting on the Facebook page!
Although it does somewhat depend on the situation you will most likely be wanting to hit that volley from about 2/3 from the net in the service box. This should allow you to hit ones near the net or go back for a lob if needed.
Practice…Practice…Practice!
Like with most things in tennis you can practice hitting volleys through different drills depending on what aspect you are working on.
Some drills will help you get stronger while others will help with your accuracy.
Related Posts You Will Enjoy
Best Tennis Dresses for Hot Weather
What to Wear to Tennis Practice
The Complete Guide to Singles Tennis
Tennis Forehand Tips You Need to Know
