Half-volley
A half-volley is a shot played immediately after the ball bounces, before it rises to a comfortable hitting height. It is most often used at or near the service line when a pair is coming forward to the net and meets a low, fast ball that cannot be volleyed in the air.
What is a half-volley?
A half-volley is a low, short-swing shot played in the split second after the ball bounces on your side of the court. The aim is to keep the ball low and let your pair continue forward to the net. It is the shot you reach for when the ball comes in low and fast, you cannot get to the net in time to volley it, but you also do not want to retreat to the back court to play a full ground stroke.
When do you use it?
Half-volleys appear most often when a pair is transitioning from the back of the court to the net. You play the serve return, then move forward - and the next ball is often a low drive that catches you at the service line. The half-volley keeps you moving forward; a full ground stroke pulls you back.
How to play it
Set up sideways with a short swing. Bend the knees so the racket head is low enough to contact the ball just after the bounce. Use slice to keep the ball low across the net. The follow-through is short - finish the racket at or below shoulder height. Aim deep into the opposing court so your pair has time to complete the move forward.
Coach tip: Bend the knees, not the back. The half-volley contact point is low and players who lean over instead of bending the knees lose balance and end up unable to recover for the next ball. Treat the half-volley as a transition shot, not a destination.
Common mistakes
The two biggest mistakes are trying to hit the half-volley too hard (control matters more than pace) and standing up out of the shot during contact, which lifts the racket and produces a sit-up ball your opponents will attack at the net.
