Volley length: controlling depth with follow-through

What this lesson covers

Varying the length of volleys prevents opponents from predicting the bounce. Hitting every ball deep allows the opponent to use the glass, while hitting every ball short removes the glass from play. The preparation remains identical for all lengths, keeping the racket in front and high. The adjustment happens entirely during the follow-through phase of the stroke.

For deep volleys, the follow-through is long and pushes through the ball. To land the ball in the middle of the court so it bounces twice before reaching the glass, the follow-through becomes shorter and sharper. For a drop shot, the follow-through is minimal as the player absorbs the pace of the incoming ball. Visualizing a cup of water helps calibrate the motion: a deep shot splashes water forward, a medium shot creates a smaller splash, and a drop shot involves pouring the water behind the body. This lesson suits players looking to gain control over their net game.