Forehand volley: controlling depth to the middle

What this lesson covers

The forehand volley requires precise control when targeting the middle of the court to prevent the ball from rebounding off the back glass. A common error involves an overextended follow-through, which pushes the ball too deep. Instead, the racket should brush the back of the ball with a compact motion, moving from high to low. This technique prioritizes spin over raw speed to ensure the ball lands short, ideally before the service line.

To achieve this, the player must contact the ball while it is above the net. By cutting the follow-through short, the player avoids sending the ball deep into the opponent's zone, where it would become an easy ball for a lob or a chiquita. Using visual markers like cones helps the player calibrate the bounce point. This drill is most effective for players who struggle to keep their volleys short and find themselves under pressure after hitting into the middle.