Volley placement: targeting the inner leg

What this lesson covers

Volleying to the opponent's inner leg forces them to move away from the center. This movement opens a gap in the middle of the court for the next shot. Aiming for the corner too early allows the opponent to hit a down-the-line shot or a rulo, which puts the attacking team at a disadvantage. By keeping the ball in the middle or toward the inner leg, the attacking player maintains control and prevents the opponent from finding easy angles.

During the drill, one player stays at the net while the other defends from the back. The net player focuses on consistent placement to the inner leg. The defender works on pivoting to return the ball, often having to convert from a forehand to a backhand if the ball is sharp. Once the defender is forced out of position and a gap appears, the net player can then target the corner to finish the point. This approach suits players looking to build points through patience rather than forcing winners from the start.