Tennis · Overhead & smash · Volley & net play
Swinging volley and smash to finish
Attack a floating ball with a swinging volley, close the net, then put away the lob with a smash.
Start / 5
- Time
- 15 min
- Players
- 1–6
- Age
- U16+
- Area
- Full court
- Equipment
- basket of balls2 cones
Setup
- CO feeds from the far baseline; P1 starts just inside their own baseline.
- Players waiting stand behind the baseline, clear of the hitting area.
How it runs
- Feed one is a high, slow floater around P1's service line. P1 moves in and hits a swinging volley out of the air.
- P1 closes to the net and split-steps.
- Feed two is a lob. P1 turns sideways, moves back and smashes it away.
- Six sequences, then rotate. Alternate forehand and backhand side floaters.
Coaching points
- Swinging volley only off a high ball above the net; a low ball is a normal volley.
- Full topspin swing, contact in front at shoulder height, brush up and through.
- Close after the swinging volley; it should force a defensive lob or a weak ball.
- On the lob, turn sideways at once, non-hitting hand up to track the ball.
- Smash with the same throwing action as the serve; aim for the open space, not the lines.
Common mistakes
- Hitting the swinging volley flat with no spin, so it sails long.
- Staying back after the swinging volley.
- Backpedalling on the lob instead of turning and cross-stepping.
Say it: “Swing up, close, turn, smash.”
Make it harder
- Feed three is a deep lob that must be smashed from behind the service line.
- CO hits live after the smash; P1 must win the point.
Make it easier
- Feed from the service line with a slower floater.
- Smash feeds only, with P1 starting halfway to the net.
Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.