Volley technique: stepping in and shoulder position

What this lesson covers

Aggressive volleying requires constant forward momentum. Players must imagine a barrier behind them to prevent stepping backward during contact. The setup involves moving into the ball with the shoulder to keep the racket face closed and generate slice. Leaning the shoulders backward during the swing causes the racket face to open, resulting in shots that sail out.

Positioning at the net relies on returning to a central home base after every shot. When moving to cover a ball hit into the corner, the player must push back to this center point immediately after the volley. Adjusting to the ball requires small, active steps rather than one large stride. This footwork allows for precise positioning even when the ball is slightly out of reach. Focusing on the shoulder moving forward into the ball ensures the shot remains low and penetrating.