How to Volley in Tennis
Most club players treat the net like a no-go zone — they'll rally from the baseline for 30 shots rather than close in and finish the point. That's a mistake. A decent volley game cuts points short, puts pressure on your opponent's passing shots, and makes doubles infinitely more fun. You don't need Federer-level touch. You need the right technique and the confidence to move forward.
The Continental Grip: Your Volley Foundation
Every volley — forehand, backhand, half volley, overhead — uses the continental grip. That's the "hammer grip" where the base knuckle of your index finger sits on bevel 2 (the top-right edge of the handle for right-handers). If you're not sure which bevel that is, our grip size guide has a visual breakdown.
Why continental? Because at the net you don't have time to change grips between forehand and backhand volleys. The continental lets you hit both sides without any grip adjustment. It also naturally opens the racket face slightly, which is exactly what you want for volleying — a bit of underspin that controls the ball and keeps it low after the bounce.
The Four Volley Types
Forehand Volley
Continental grip, racket starts at shoulder height with the face slightly open. Step forward with the opposite foot (left foot for right-handers) and punch through the ball. No backswing — the power comes from your step and shoulder turn, not your arm. Contact point is out in front, between your body and the net. Follow through short and forward.
Pro tip: Think of catching a ball with your racket — firm wrist, short motion, meet it in front. If your volley has a big loop, you're swinging, not punching.
Backhand Volley
Same continental grip. Turn your shoulders so the racket is on your non-dominant side, supported by your free hand on the throat. Step across with your dominant foot and punch through the ball. The backhand volley is often more natural than the forehand because the body turn creates structure — your arm has nowhere to go but forward.
Pro tip: Most players hit better backhand volleys than forehand volleys. The restricted motion prevents over-swinging, which is the number one volley killer.
Half Volley
The ball bounces at your feet and you pick it up immediately after the bounce — almost a short-hop scoop. Bend your knees deeply, keep the racket face open, and lift the ball gently over the net. This isn't a power shot; it's a survival shot. The goal is placement, not pace.
Pro tip: The half volley is the hardest shot in tennis. If you can hit it consistently, you're a genuine net player. Use a secure grip — a fresh overgrip helps enormously when your palms are sweaty under pressure.
Drop Volley
Instead of punching through, absorb the pace by letting the racket "give" at contact — like catching an egg. The ball should barely clear the net and die in the service box. Use extreme continental or even a slight eastern backhand grip for maximum touch. Only attempt when your opponent is behind the baseline.
Pro tip: The drop volley works once or twice per set. After that, your opponent starts anticipating it. Use it as a surprise weapon, not a primary play.
When to Approach the Net
Rushing the net at the wrong time is a death sentence — you'll get passed or lobbed every time. Approach when the situation favours you:
| Situation | Approach? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Short ball lands in your service box | Yes | You're already inside the baseline — close the remaining distance |
| Opponent pushed deep behind their baseline | Yes | They have maximum distance to hit a passing shot — geometry favours you |
| After a deep serve (especially to the body) | Yes | Serve-and-volley puts time pressure on the returner |
| Opponent hits a deep, heavy topspin ball | No | You'll be approaching from too far back with the ball at your feet |
| Your approach shot lands short | No | Gives your opponent easy passing angles — retreat and reset |
| Windy conditions (cross-wind) | Maybe | Wind makes lobs unpredictable but also makes passing shots harder — use judgement |
Volley Drills
Wall Volley Rapid Fire
Equipment: Wall or rebounder
Stand 2 metres from a wall. Hit volleys alternating forehand and backhand as the ball rebounds. Start slow — 20 in a row is a solid target. The wall forces you to keep a compact swing because there's no time for a big takeback. Focus on punch, not power.
Key point: If you can volley 30 consecutive off a wall, your reflexes and racket preparation are match-ready.
Approach & Volley Pattern
Equipment: Partner or ball machine
Start at the baseline. Your partner feeds a short ball. Hit an approach shot (deep, preferably down the line), then close to the net with a split step at the service line. Volley the partner's return and finish with an overhead if they lob. Run 10 reps per side — this is the complete net-approach pattern used in match play.
Key point: The split step after the approach shot is what most players skip. Without it, you're moving forward when the ball arrives and can't change direction.
Two-Touch Volley
Equipment: Partner at baseline
Both players at the net, 3 metres apart. Volley back and forth cooperatively — the goal is 50 touches without the ball hitting the ground. Emphasise soft hands and angle control, not pace. Once you hit 50, increase speed gradually. This builds the feel and touch that separate good volleyers from people who just block the ball back.
Key point: Touch and feel at the net are trained through repetition at close range, not by standing at the service line hitting balls as hard as possible.
Low Volley / Half Volley Circuit
Equipment: Partner feeding low balls
Stand at the service line. Your partner feeds balls at your feet — some that bounce (half volleys) and some that don't (low volleys). You must pick up every ball and place it cross-court. 20 balls per set, 3 sets. This is the hardest volleying skill and the one that separates net players from baseliners who occasionally wander forward.
Key point: Bend your knees, not your waist. Players who bend at the waist for low volleys pop the ball up — an easy passing shot for the opponent.
Reflex Volley (Doubles Drill)
Equipment: 2 players at net, 1 feeding
Two players stand at the net on opposite sides. A third player feeds from the baseline — hard, flat drives aimed between and at the net players. The net players must react and volley everything back. Switch roles every 2 minutes. This simulates the fast exchanges in doubles and trains pure reflex volleys.
Key point: In doubles, 40% of points end at the net within 3 shots. If your reflex volleys are sharp, you control the match.
Gear for Better Volleying
Volleying demands a secure grip and a racket you can manoeuvre quickly. A fresh tacky overgrip prevents the racket from twisting on off-centre volleys — and at the net, off-centre is most of them. A vibration dampener reduces the sting on hard-hit volleys that catch the frame edge, which is kinder on your elbow over long sessions.
For net game strategy in doubles, see our doubles strategy guide. To build the explosive first step you need for net approaches, try the drills in our footwork drills guide. And for a proper pre-match routine before any net-heavy session, check our warm-up routine.
Sharpen your net game
Rebounders for solo volley practice, dampeners for comfort, and LED balls for evening sessions at the net.