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Player practice guide

Learn Volley Grip

15 min Coach / feederIntermediateMatch play

This tennis tutorial teaches how to build a stable volley using the same grip for both forehand and backhand volleys.

Best for: players who can block a backhand volley and want to disguise deep and short placements.

Goal

Use the same compact backhand-volley preparation to alternate a deep ball and a short drop.

Success today

Complete 6 of 8 deep-then-drop pairs with both balls landing in their marked targets.

Watch before court

Technique reference

How to Hit a DROP VOLLEY - Touch Shot Tennis Lesson: Part 1 · 10:30

Technique reference—not the full drill. Watch the contact height, open racket face and absorption used to control a drop volley.

Open video on YouTube

Arrive ready

Before you go

  • One hitting partner who can feed from the baseline
  • 16+ tennis balls
  • 4 flat cones
  • Approximately 15 minutes of court time

Court blueprint

Set up the court

Backhand deep volley and drop targetReceive two similar backhand feeds near the service line. Send the first beyond the service line and soften the second into the short target before recovering centrally.NETDeep targetShort targetYouPartner

Receive two similar backhand feeds near the service line. Send the first beyond the service line and soften the second into the short target before recovering centrally.

  • Ball direction
  • Recovery
  • Target zone
  1. 01Mark one deep target beyond the service line and one short target inside the service box.
  2. 02Start just behind the service line.
  3. 03Ask your partner to feed two backhand volleys at the same comfortable height.

Step by step

Your 15-minute practice

  1. 0–3 min

    Match the preparation

    • Block four feeds with the same early racket position.
    • Change only the firmness of contact.

  2. 8 deep volleys · 4 min

    Own the deep volley

    • Send eight first balls beyond the service line.
    • Step through without taking a backswing.

  3. 7–11 min

    Soften the second ball

    • Let the second volley land inside the short target.
    • Keep the racket face stable instead of chopping.

  4. 8 pairs · 4 min

    Score eight pairs

    • Count a pair only when both targets are hit.
    • Aim for six complete pairs.

Remember

Three player cues

  • Show the same preparation.
  • Firm first, soft second.
  • Recover after the drop.

Avoid these

Common mistakes

  • Changing the racket face too early for the drop
  • Swinging to create depth
  • Standing still between the two feeds

Keep the same purpose

Adjust the challenge

Make it easier

Use larger targets and allow the partner to feed from the service line.

Make it harder

Mix the order of deep and drop calls and reduce the short target to half a service box.

Keep it safe

Clear short balls around the service line after each set and keep the feeder behind the baseline.

Continue later

Related drills

Drop Volley Shot Drill15 min · Coach / feederImprove your touch for drop shots15 min · SoloVolley Basics15 min · Coach / feeder