Most volleyers love to see the ball coming at around shoulder height, well above the top of the net, because with nothing in the way, they can hit it straight toward the target on the opponent's court. Hitting a volley winner becomes more difficult when you have to meet the ball below the top of the net. You can hit a higher volley either flat or with backspin, but because, on low volleys, you have to make the ball rise to clear the net, yet still stay fairly low on the bounce, you should almost always hit low volleys with some backspin. Too often, hitting low volleys flat makes the ball bounce to just the height your opponent prefers for setting up an easy passing shot.
On a moderately low volley like this one, you have three options that are more or less equally feasible. On an extremely low volley, the third option would become relatively more difficult:
- Hit a drop volley.
- Hit a short, sharp angle.
- Hit deep with some pace, as is done in this series of photos.
Either of the grips that's appropriate for other volleys, the
Eastern forehand grip (used here) or the
Continental grip, will work well for a low volley, too. Many players find the Continental grip more comfortable for low forehand volleys than for high ones.
If you time your split-step correctly, you'll see the ball coming off your opponent's racquet while you're in the air, and you'll start to turn as you descend. Note the feet turning here.
