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Following are the key distinctions for the backhand half volley:
- Grip: If you use a one-handed backhand for your regular groundstrokes, stick with one hand and your usual grip for the half volley -- unless you find that your Continental grip makes the ball pop up too much. If so, try the Eastern, which has less tendency to tilt upward.
Two-handed backhanders split pretty evenly on doing better with one hand or two. With one hand, it's easier to get down low, but with two, it's easier to meet the ball farther back when you need to. Experiment to find out which choice suits you better. Knowing how to do both can come in handy. For the two-handed option, use your usual grip combination.
- Backswing: Using your left hand on the throat of the racquet to help you get the racquet into position will also make you turn your shoulders.
- Point of contact: It's much more difficult on a one-handed backhand than on a forehand half volley to reach back to dig up a ball that lands a little behind you. This type of ball is easier handled with a two-handed backhand, but it's still more difficult than the equivalent forehand. You might have to resort to an extremely low volley instead if you can't position yourself to meet the ball more forward.
