Master the Tennis Volley
The volley is tennis at its most decisive. When you step up to the net, you're cutting off time, applying pressure, and finishing points before they go the distance. The best volleys look effortless — a firm, compact block that redirects pace with precision. But that simplicity is deceptive. The volley demands split-second decisions, excellent footwork, and total confidence in your hands. Done consistently, it transforms you from a baseliner into a complete, all-court player.
Key Fundamentals
Continental Grip
Use the Continental grip for all volleys — forehand and backhand. It gives you a neutral, firm contact point and lets you play both sides without switching grips mid-point. There's simply no time to change grips at the net.
Compact Swing
The volley is a block, not a swing. Take the racquet back minimally — just enough to position the face behind the ball — and then punch forward through contact. Big backswings at the net are the most reliable way to miss.
Split Step
Time a small hop (split step) just as your opponent is about to make contact. Landing balanced at that exact moment puts you in a wide, athletic stance ready to push off in any direction. Without the split step, you arrive late to every volley.
Firm Wrist at Contact
Lock your wrist through the hit. A wobbly wrist sends the ball anywhere. Think "punch forward" — your arm moves; your wrist stays fixed. On low volleys, open the racquet face slightly and lift, but the wrist should still remain firm.
Depth and Angle
Aim deep to push opponents back, or angle sharply to finish the point. Avoid floating the ball short and in the middle of the court — that's the one place your opponent is aiming their passing shots. Volley with purpose.
Top Video Tutorials
Curated from the best tennis coaches on YouTube.
3 Simple Volley Tips That Made Me World-Class
High-impact tips from a former professional that cut straight to the three things that matter most at the net.
Professional Volley Technique Explained
A deep technical breakdown of forehand and backhand volley mechanics — what the pros do and why it works.
Master the Volley: 5 Steps to Perfect Technique
Patrick Mouratoglou's step-by-step volley guide — structured, clear, and applicable at every level from beginner to advanced.
Tennis Volley Technique — 3 Steps to Volley Like a Pro
A concise three-step framework for building a pro-level volley, with drills you can take straight to the practice court.
Common Mistakes
Swinging at the volley
The most common volley error at every level. A big swing takes too long, sends the ball long, and makes you vulnerable to fast-paced drives. Keep the swing short — the incoming pace does the work. Your job is to redirect it.
No split step
Arriving at the net flat-footed and stationary means you're always reacting a split second too late. The split step is non-negotiable. It costs you nothing and buys you everything at the net.
Standing too close to the net
Many players rush to the net and stand too close, which limits their angle coverage and makes lobs easy to exploit. Position yourself at or slightly inside the service line until the opportunity to close fully presents itself.
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