Volley depth: choosing short or deep targets

What this lesson covers

Volley depth is not a universal rule of hitting as deep as possible. Against experienced players who are comfortable playing off the back glass, deep volleys often provide them with time to organize their defense. Aiming in front of the service line forces these opponents to take the ball before it reaches the glass, often resulting in a difficult half-volley or a ball taken on the rise.

Another effective target is directly in front of the opponent's feet. This forces them to move out of the way or attempt a low pick-up, which frequently creates an opportunity to attack the next ball. Regardless of the target, applying slice is necessary to keep the ball low. A sliced ball that lands slightly deeper than intended remains difficult to retrieve, whereas a flat ball hit with too much pace will bounce off the glass and hand the advantage to the defender. Players should adjust their depth based on their own contact height relative to the net and the current position of their opponents.