Forehand Volley
A volley struck on the forehand (dominant-hand) side before the ball bounces, usually played near the net.
Definition
A forehand volley is a shot hit on the racket-hand side of the body without letting the ball bounce. It is used mainly in the forecourt, where the player punches or blocks the incoming ball with a short, compact swing rather than a full backswing. The racket face is set slightly open and the contact point is kept in front of the body to control depth and angle.
In tennis and padel the forehand volley is a core net skill, prized for cutting off an opponent's time and finishing points. Compared with a groundstroke it relies more on firm forearm and wrist control and precise timing than on a long swing, since the pace of the incoming shot supplies much of the power. It contrasts with the backhand volley, played on the non-dominant side.
Where you’ll hear “forehand volley”
Sports that use this term:
Tennis
A singles or doubles racquet sport that blends agility, strategy and stamina on court.
Padel
A sociable, doubles-first racquet sport played in an enclosed court where the walls stay in play.
POP Tennis
A friendly, easy-to-learn racquet sport on a smaller court with solid paddles and a lower net.
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Techniques
- VolleyA shot played near the net by blocking the ball out of the air before it bounces, using a short, firm punch rather than a full swing.
- One-Handed BackhandA backhand groundstroke struck with a single hand on the grip, driving through the ball with a full extension of the hitting arm.
- Table Tennis Forehand DriveA controlled attacking stroke in table tennis, played on the forehand side with a compact swing and light topspin.
- Topspin ForehandA forehand groundstroke hit with a low-to-high swing that puts forward spin on the ball so it dips and kicks up on landing.
- Volleyball SpikeA powerful attacking hit that drives the ball sharply downward over the net into the opponent's court, usually after an approach and jump.
Skills
- Net playThe skill of controlling points close to the net with volleys and touch shots.
- ServingThe skill of putting the ball or shuttle into play to start a point or rally.
- ThrowingThe skill of propelling the ball accurately and with control using the arm.
- HeadingThe skill of directing the ball with the head to pass, clear or attempt to score.
- SettingThe volleyball skill of accurately placing the ball for a teammate to attack.
Tactics
- Serve and volleyAn attacking tennis tactic where the server follows their serve to the net to finish the point with a volley.
- Doubles formationHow a pair positions itself on court — one up, one back, or both at the net — to control space in doubles.
- Net playControlling the point from close to the net with volleys, smashes and touch shots to cut down an opponent’s time.
- Counter-attackWinning the ball and moving forward at speed to attack before the opponent can reorganise their defence.
- Fast breakPushing the ball up court at speed after a turnover or rebound to score before the defence sets up.
Rules
- Foot faultA serving fault called when the server's foot touches the baseline or court before striking the ball.
- Three-hit ruleThe volleyball rule that a team may contact the ball at most three times before it must cross the net.
- Handball offenceA foul in football committed when an outfield player deliberately handles or controls the ball with the hand or arm.
- Throw-inThe method of restarting football when the ball fully crosses a side line, taken by throwing it back into play.
- Two-bounce ruleA pickleball rule requiring both the serve and the return to bounce once before players may hit the ball out of the air.
Equipment
- Tennis racquetA strung frame with a handle used to hit the ball in tennis.
- Tennis ballA hollow rubber ball covered in felt used in tennis and related racquet sports.
- VolleyballA soft, inflated ball struck with the hands and arms in volleyball.
- Table tennis batA small wooden blade covered with rubber used to hit the ball in table tennis.
- Padel racketA solid, stringless perforated racket used to play padel.
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- 2026-08-04
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