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A swinging volley is an aggressive shot, much riskier than a conventional volley, but also much more powerful. The closer to the net it is hit, the easier it is to put away.
The best time to try a swinging volley is on a moderately high ball that's too low to hit as an overhead. The swinging volley is especially useful against the type of player who hits everything back high and deep. Against "human backboard" or semi-"moonballer" types, hitting the ball after it bounces can often mean hitting from too deep to be able to create a winner. By taking the ball in the air, farther forward in the court, you can greatly reduce the amount of time your opponent has to react.
Key points:
Assume a right-handed hitter.
- Grip: Topspin is a key ingredient in the swinging volley, so the best grip is probably that with which you usually hit topspin on high forehand groundstrokes. The median grip on high topspin forehands these days is roughly Semi-Western, but the Eastern (seen here) and full Western grips are also fully suitable for a swinging volley.
- Footwork: The closer you get to the net, the better, so move forward quickly as soon as you see the ball coming at the height you want, then slow down with a couple of smaller steps as you get ready to swing. How much you turn sideways as you approach the ball will be influenced by your style on your forehand groundstroke, but most players turn more sideways than they do on groundstrokes, because the more linear alignment between the racquet and ball is easier, and extreme racquet speed is unnecessary. A fairly sideways stance will usually be accompanied by a large, final step forward just before you swing.
- Backswing: As long as you get the racquet back so that the tip is pointing roughly at the back fence and the racquet head is at least a foot lower than where you'll meet the ball, you can use any backswing style that suits you, but most players use much less, if any, loop in the backswing, compared to their forehand groundstroke. A big loop can complicate the timing, and you can generate plenty of power and topspin without it.
- Swing path: As on a topspin forehand groundstroke, you want to swing forward and from low to high, generating a mixture of power and topspin. Your swing should be long, smooth, and fairly free. You don't want to hit with total abandon, but the swinging volley is far from a cautious shot.
- Point of contact: Meet the ball as far forward as you would a topspin forehand groundstroke with your chosen grip. For an Eastern grip, this will be roughly even with the forward edge of your body. More Western styles would meet the ball farther forward. With a little experimentation, you'll learn at what height you best hit this shot. A few players like the ball as low as their thighs; most like it between belly and shoulder height. At whatever height you meet the ball, have the long axis of the racquet roughly horizontal.
- Follow through: Follow through as you would on your forehand groundstroke, generally high and to your left.
