Tennis · Volley & net play

Volley-to-volley

Two players at the net keep a volley rally going, then play it live inside the service boxes.

P1P2
Start / 5
Time
10 min
Players
2–8
Age
U10+
Area
Service boxes
Equipment
6 balls

Setup

  1. Pairs face each other across the net, each halfway between the net and the service line.
  2. The court is the four service boxes.

How it runs

  1. Cooperative first: volley back and forth without the ball bouncing; count the volleys.
  2. Reach 10 in a row, then play it live.
  3. Live: the ball must stay in the service boxes and can't bounce; aim at the feet or into space.
  4. First to 7 points, then rotate partners.

Coaching points

  • Continental grip; no grip change between forehand and backhand volleys.
  • Racket head up and in front, ready position at chest height.
  • Short punch, no backswing; block and step towards the ball.
  • Low balls: bend the knees, open the face slightly and get under it.

Common mistakes

  • Swinging at the volley like a groundstroke.
  • Dropping the racket head below the wrist on low balls.
  • Standing flat-footed instead of stepping in.

Say it: “Grip, up, punch.”

Make it harder

  • Backhand volleys only, or alternate forehand and backhand.
  • Stand closer to the net for faster exchanges.

Make it easier

  • Allow one bounce in the cooperative stage.
  • Use a slower, low-compression ball.

Reviewed by the Sportdify coaching team.