Player practice guide
Forehand Volley: Deep + Down-the-Line Drop
15 min PartnerIntermediate–AdvancedForehand
Combine a deep forehand volley with a short drop volley down the line.
Best for: players developing forehand-volley disguise and touch down the same sideline.
Goal
Use one compact forehand-volley preparation for a deep ball followed by a short down-the-line drop.
Success today
Complete 5 of 8 deep-then-drop pairs with both volleys inside the down-the-line 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 YouTubeArrive 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
Receive two forehand volleys from the same position, place the first deep and guide the second softly down the line into the short service-box target.
- Ball direction
- Recovery
- Target zone
- 01Mark a deep lane and short service-box target on the forehand side.
- 02Start a step behind the service line.
- 03Ask your partner for two controlled forehand feeds per pair.
Step by step
Your 15-minute practice
0–3 min
Set the line path
- Block four forehand feeds safely inside the sideline.
- Keep your shoulders quiet.
3–7 min
Drive the first volley
- Send the opening ball beyond the service line.
- Recover to the same contact position.
7–11 min
Take pace off
- Guide the second ball into the short line target.
- Use a shorter finish, not a downward chop.
8 pairs · 4 min
Score eight pairs
- Count only pairs that hit both line targets.
- Aim for five complete pairs.
Remember
Three player cues
- Same face, different firmness.
- Aim inside the sideline.
- Short finish on the drop.
Avoid these
Common mistakes
- Pulling the deep volley across the body
- Chopping down on the short ball
- Leaning forward instead of adjusting the feet
Keep the same purpose
Adjust the challenge
Make it easier
Use the full down-the-line half of the court and slower feeds.
Make it harder
Reduce both targets and ask the partner to vary the height of the second feed.
Keep it safe
Clear drop volleys before the next set and stop if a ball rests in the player’s split-step area.
Continue later