Coaching the volley

What is a volley?

A volley is any shot played before the ball bounces, taken in the air to maintain pressure and control the rally. Volleys can be played as a drive (attacking), drop (short and controlled), or lob (defensive reset). Volleys can also be played as a boast to switch the direction of play to defend or attack. Use it to:

• Take away time from the opponent
• Maintain control of the T

Coaching points

• Grip: Keep a firm grip for a harder or deeper volley, slightly relax the grip for a softer volley (e.g. volley drop) to absorb ball speed.
• Racket preparation: Prepare early with racket head high to allow for a compact swing.
• Follow through: Be sure to maintain a smooth follow through, trying not to jab at the ball.
• Strong, balanced stance: Keep bodyweight forward, using smaller steps to adjust to create space around the ball.

Potential challenges

• Getting too close: Encourage players to take the ball higher and step forward onto the ball.
• Swiping across the ball: Instead of swinging around the ball, encourage players to follow through the intended path of the ball.
• Not using volleys enough: Encourage players to step forward and anticipate loose balls, taking them early to apply pressure.