Forehand volley technique: vertical racket movement

What this lesson covers

The forehand volley requires a vertical racket path rather than a horizontal one. The racket head remains pointing toward the sky during preparation, mirroring the motion of skipping a stone across a lake. Keeping the racket higher than the incoming ball allows for a slice effect, which forces the opponent to deal with a difficult bounce. Aiming to land the volley before the white line creates uncertainty regarding whether the ball should be played before or after the glass.

Body positioning and weight transfer are central to generating power without losing control. The arm stays compact against the body, as force originates from the legs and core. A split step ensures readiness for the opponent's shot, preventing the mistake of guessing the ball's trajectory. Moving the front foot forward at the exact moment of impact transfers body weight into the shot, providing stability and speed. After contact, the player must immediately recover the ready position for the next ball.