Forehand Volley
A volley struck on the forehand (dominant-hand) side before the ball bounces, usually played near the net.
Definition
A forehand volley is a shot hit on the racket-hand side of the body without letting the ball bounce. It is used mainly in the forecourt, where the player punches or blocks the incoming ball with a short, compact swing rather than a full backswing. The racket face is set slightly open and the contact point is kept in front of the body to control depth and angle.
In tennis and padel the forehand volley is a core net skill, prized for cutting off an opponent's time and finishing points. Compared with a groundstroke it relies more on firm forearm and wrist control and precise timing than on a long swing, since the pace of the incoming shot supplies much of the power. It contrasts with the backhand volley, played on the non-dominant side.
Where you’ll hear “forehand volley”
Sports that use this term:
Tennis
A singles or doubles racquet sport that blends agility, strategy and stamina on court.
Padel
A sociable, doubles-first racquet sport played in an enclosed court where the walls stay in play.
POP Tennis
A friendly, easy-to-learn racquet sport on a smaller court with solid paddles and a lower net.
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Techniques
- VolleyA shot played near the net by blocking the ball out of the air before it bounces, using a short, firm punch rather than a full swing.
- One-Handed BackhandA backhand groundstroke struck with a single hand on the grip, driving through the ball with a full extension of the hitting arm.
- Table Tennis Forehand DriveA controlled attacking stroke in table tennis, played on the forehand side with a compact swing and light topspin.
- Topspin ForehandA forehand groundstroke hit with a low-to-high swing that puts forward spin on the ball so it dips and kicks up on landing.
- Volleyball SpikeA powerful attacking hit that drives the ball sharply downward over the net into the opponent's court, usually after an approach and jump.
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- Content updated
- 2026-09-01
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