The Volley Mistake Almost Every Player Makes
Here’s a common assumption in tennis: hit your volley as deep as possible and you’re golden. It sounds right — deep is aggressive, deep pushes your opponent back, deep feels like a “real” tennis shot. But if you’ve ever hit a beautiful deep volley only to watch it come right back at you (or worse, sail over your head on a lob), you already know the problem.
Think about it from your opponent’s perspective. If they’re standing on the baseline and you volley deep, you’re basically feeding the ball right into their strike zone. You’re giving them exactly the ball they’re comfortable hitting — with pace, at a height they see every single day in practice. That’s not pressure. That’s a gift.
Why the Short Volley Changes Everything
Instead of volleying into your opponent’s comfort zone, try volleying short. A short volley that drops just over the net and dies forces your opponent to sprint forward, bend low, and generate their own pace on a ball that has none. That’s a completely different physical and mental challenge than tracking down a deep, driving shot.
This tactic works whether you’re playing singles or doubles. If you’ve come to net behind a deep approach shot or a strong first volley, following it up with a short, soft volley is one of the most effective ways to close out the point. Your opponent either has to hit a difficult half-volley, scramble to reach it, or watch it bounce twice.
Don’t just take our word for it — this is a tactic even young players can learn quickly. In this week’s tip, Coach Kevin shares an example using his daughter Ki, who’s just 12 years old. She’s already figured out that hitting deep and following it to the net sets up the short volley as a devastatingly effective finishing shot.
The Catch: A Simple Drill to Build Touch
Knowing the tactic is one thing — actually executing a delicate short volley under pressure is another. That’s where feel and touch come in, and touch is trainable. Here’s the exact drill Ki used to develop hers:
- Step 1 — Catch: Have a partner or coach toss balls to you at the net. Instead of hitting every ball, they call out either “catch” or “hit.” When they say catch, you simply catch the ball with your hand or racquet-side hand. This forces you to read the ball early and control your movement instead of just swinging on autopilot.
- Step 2 — Hit: When they call “hit,” you execute the short volley, focusing on a soft touch and short, controlled contact rather than a full swing.
- Step 3 — Speed it up: Once you’re comfortable, have your partner speed up the feeds and mix up the calls unpredictably. This mimics the split-second decision-making you’ll need in a real point.
This drill works because it trains your hands and your brain together. You’re not just repeating the same swing over and over — you’re learning to read the ball, make a quick decision, and adjust your touch on the fly. That’s exactly what happens in a real match when you’re deciding between a deep volley, a short volley, or a swing volley in a split second.
Why This Drill Works So Well
A lot of players struggle with short volleys because they’re used to swinging hard at everything. The catch drill breaks that habit by physically stopping your swing at random moments, which naturally teaches you to slow down, absorb pace, and get soft hands at the net. Over time, this builds the exact feel you need to drop a volley just over the net instead of driving it deep.
And here’s the best part — this isn’t some advanced, only-for-pros technique. If a 12-year-old can pick this up and start using it effectively in matches, so can you. It just takes a few focused reps to start building that touch.
Put It Into Practice
Next time you’re at the net practicing, resist the urge to smash every volley as hard as you can. Mix in some short, soft volleys aimed just past the service line, and grab a partner to run through the catch-or-hit drill. You’ll be surprised how quickly your touch improves — and how much more effective your net game becomes.
Want more quick, actionable tips like this one to sharpen your game? Check out more training breakdowns, drills, and gear recommendations over at On Court Off Court — your go-to resource for leveling up your tennis and pickleball game, one smart tip at a time.
