Volleys for Intermediate Players

If you want sharper, faster volleys at the net, you must create a connection between your head and your racket. That connection drives shoulder rotation, balance and timing.

3-time Wimbledon finalist, Australian Open Champion and Coachlife.com coach, Robert Lindstedt, teaches you how here. Break down the exact cues and drills you can use to volley like a top pro.

The core principle: Head and racket connection

Keep your head close to the racket head and let your head follow your racket. This is the single most important idea behind a consistent volley. When your head follows the racket, you create an early shoulder turn and maintain better control through impact. If you leave too much space between your head and the racket, you disconnect from the shot and lose precision.

“You need to have your head as close to the racket head as possible… I want your head to follow your racket.”

How to position your head and racket

Start with the racket out in front of your body at a medium-low height, not up by your chin. From there, fold the racket out to meet the ball while keeping your head tracking the racket head. The movement should feel like one unit: eyes, head and racket moving together toward the ball.

• Keep your chin and head near the racket head so your vision and balance stay aligned.
• Keep the racket level and ready in front of you to minimise wasted motion.
• Follow through with your head slightly toward the shot so your shoulder naturally rotates.

Forearm volley: Use the left arm to create a tucked shoulder

On the forearm volley, you must not let your non-dominant arm fly wide. Instead, let the left arm follow the racket and stay close to your body. If the left arm is out you will open up, show your stomach and lose the compact, powerful shape needed for quick net exchanges.

“When it comes to the forearm volley I want your left arm to follow the racket… because then you open up and you show your stomach.”

Keeping the left arm tucked helps create a tight shoulder turn. That tucked shoulder protects the court, gives you a smaller target to cover and speeds your reaction time.

Why starting low saves time

At the net, you have the least time to react. If your racket starts too high, you waste precious milliseconds dipping down before your swing. Start with the racket lower and slightly forward so your motion is fast and compact. That lower starting position reduces the travel distance for the racket and lets you execute quick out and through volleys.

Step-by-step volley routine

1. Adopt a ready position with your racket slightly dipped low and out in front of your chest.
2. Keep your head close to the racket head and ready to follow its path.
3. On a forearm volley, let your left arm follow the racket and stay close to your body to create a tucked shoulder.
4. Fold the racket out, make contact, and follow through with your head and shoulders rotating together.
5. Finish in a compact position, ready for the next ball.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Racket too high in your ready position. This forces an unnecessary dip and slows you down.
• Too much space between the head and the racket. This breaks the connection and ruins timing.
• Left arm flared out on forehand volleys. This opens your body and reduces shoulder turn.
• Large, exaggerated follow-throughs at the net. Keep the motion short and purposeful.

Practice drills to reinforce these habits

• Shadow volley with a towel: Hold a towel over the racket and practice short out and through motions while keeping your head close to the towel.
• Mirror drill: Stand in front of a mirror and practice your ready position. Check that your racket is low and your head is near the racket head.
• Partner soft-feed: Have a partner feed soft volleys while you focus on keeping the left arm tucked and letting your head follow the racket.
• Reaction volley: Stand closer to the net and have a partner feed quick, short balls. The goal is to react with a compact out-and-through, starting from a low racket position.

Final tip

Volleying is about connection and economy of movement. Keep your head and racket together, use the left arm to create a tucked shoulder on forearm volleys, and start with the racket low so you have the fastest and most consistent reaction at the net. Follow these cues and drills, and your volley game will improve quickly.

Robert Lindstedt Teaches Volleys is available on YouTube for a more visual understanding. See Grass Tennis Club Lessons for more lessons.