Learning the Volley: A Beginner’s Guide

Learning the Volley: A Beginner’s Guide

Unlike the forehand and backhand, the volley is a shot hit before the ball bounces, often performed close to the net. With its shorter swing and quick execution, the volley can be an effective way to win points. In this blog, we’ll focus on the essential fundamentals to help you develop a reliable and confident volley.

1. 1. The Grip

The continental grip (discussed in the serve blog) will be important for volleys. You won’t have time to change your grip when you are at the net, unlike the other shots; the continental grip just works for both forehand and backhand volleys.

Pro Tip: Hold the racket as if you were shaking hands with it, making sure the base knuckle of your index finger rests on the second bevel of the handle. This grip might feel awkward at first, but it provides the control needed for volleying.

2. 2. Firm Wrist

A good volley starts with a nice firm wrist. Hold your racket firmly in your hands so that the wrist does not bend when the shot is played. If your wrist is weak or floppy, this would result in some weak or crazy volleys. Think of your racket as part of your arm that needs to be strong and steady. 

3. 3. Footwork

Good footwork is just as important in volleys as in groundstrokes:

For a forehand volley, step forward with your left foot (if you’re right-handed).

For a backhand volley, step forward with your right foot.

Additionally, make sure to turn your body to the side when preparing for the volley rather than facing the net head-on. This positioning improves balance and shot execution.

4. 4. Keep the Racket in Front

Unlike other strokes, there is no big swing for a volley. Your racket should be kept in front of the body:

Do not take the racket back far behind the shoulder.

Use a short and controlled follow-through.

You want to block or punch the ball back with some short firm motion rather than to swing through it.

5. 5. Keep It Simple

The volley is all about simplicity. The shorter and firmer the swing, the better your shot will be. Be more concerned about placing and controlling the shot rather than with power—a well-placed volley will win more points than a hard one.

Conclusion

The volley is one of the most important skills for any tennis player, and to get it right, there needs to be practice and attention to detail. Paying attention to grip, stability of the wrist, proper footwork, the positioning of the racket, and simplicity are all ways you can develop a consistent, effective volley-a weapon highly valued at the net. And with practice, you will soon see steady improvement.