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Module 01

The Forehand Volley

The body moves to the ball; the racket stays simple.

A good forehand volley doesn't require a large swing. We prepare by turning and loading the inside leg, keep the racket organized in front of the body, and then move toward the incoming ball. The body's movement provides the momentum while the racket stays controlled.

Illustrated summary of the forehand volley in three parts. One, ready position: start in an athletic stance, balanced and alert, racket in front, weight evenly distributed, knees slightly bent, racket centred and ready for any direction. Two, load, turn and set: turn and shift weight onto the inside leg so the opposite leg becomes light and free, set the racket with the head above and slightly behind the hand and the elbow in front, stay balanced and ready to move in any direction. Three, step to the ball: move toward the actual location of the ball, don't step across the body, and that step can take us in different directions.
The whole shot in three parts. Almost none of it is about the racket.

How We Work On It

01

Load, turn and set

As soon as we recognize the forehand volley, we make a compact turn and shift our weight onto the inside leg — the right leg for a right-handed player. The opposite leg becomes light and free to move. As we turn we establish the racket position we'll carry toward the ball: the head stays above and slightly behind the hand, the elbow comfortably in front of the body. The preparation is compact — we're positioning the racket rather than taking it back for a swing.

Illustration of a player at the net turning for a forehand volley, weight shifted onto the inside leg with the other foot light, the racket set with its head above and slightly behind the hand and the elbow in front of the body. Labelled: load turn and set — turn and shift weight onto your inside leg so the opposite leg becomes light and free; set the racket with the head above and slightly behind your hand, elbow in front; stay balanced and ready to move in any direction.
A turn, not a backswing. The racket is being placed rather than pulled back.

02

Step to the ball

Now we move toward the actual location of the ball. This is an important distinction: we don't simply step across the body, we step to the ball. Depending on where the ball arrives, that step can take us in different directions.

Illustration of a player at the net stepping forward toward an oncoming ball for a forehand volley, the racket held out in front and the body moving to meet the ball. Labelled: step to the ball — move toward the actual location of the ball; we don't step across the body, we step to the ball; that step can take us in different directions.
Where the ball is, not where a textbook step would go. This is the whole difference.

03

Move through the volley

As we step, the racket moves forward and slightly inward through the shot while the basic structure of the arm remains stable. The movement is compact. Instead of throwing the arm or swinging at the ball, the body and racket move together through contact.

04

Stay compact

After contact, we keep the movement controlled rather than allowing the racket to continue into a groundstroke-style follow-through. The goal is a volley that feels short, balanced, and connected to the movement of the body.

At speed, the four steps are one short movement — and the racket barely travels.

A short silent loop of a forehand volley at the net: a compact turn onto the inside leg, a step toward the ball, and a short controlled movement through contact with no groundstroke follow-through.

Want to work through this on court?

Lessons are private, so a step takes as long as it takes — nobody moves on before the one underneath it holds up.

Ask About Lessons→All volley lessons
R1RallyWonDerek Kedigh · Dallas, TX