Volley
Striking the ball before it bounces, whether with a racquet near the net or by kicking it out of the air in football.
Definition
In racquet sports such as tennis and padel, a volley is a shot played before the ball has bounced, usually taken close to the net to cut off the point quickly. Meeting the ball early gives the opponent less time to react and can put pressure on their positioning.
In football the same idea applies to kicking: a volley is a strike made while the ball is still in the air, before it touches the ground. In both cases the skill lies in timing the contact cleanly, since there is no bounce to help control the ball.
Where you’ll hear “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.
Football
The world’s most popular team sport — endless running, teamwork and community in one game.
Squash
A fast, high-intensity indoor racquet sport played inside an enclosed court where the walls stay in play.
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Equipment
- Padel racketA solid, stringless perforated racket used to play padel.
- Pickleball paddleA solid, flat paddle used to hit the perforated plastic ball in pickleball.
- Squash racquetA slim strung racquet used to hit the ball against the walls in squash.
- Tennis racquetA strung frame with a handle used to hit the ball in tennis.
- Tennis ballA hollow rubber ball covered in felt used in tennis and related racquet sports.
Rules
- Two-bounce ruleA pickleball rule requiring both the serve and the return to bounce once before players may hit the ball out of the air.
- Foot faultA serving fault called when the server's foot touches the baseline or court before striking the ball.
- Handball offenceA foul in football committed when an outfield player deliberately handles or controls the ball with the hand or arm.
- Three-hit ruleThe volleyball rule that a team may contact the ball at most three times before it must cross the net.
- OffsideA rule that prevents an attacker from gaining an advantage by being positioned too close to the opponents' goal ahead of the ball and the last defenders.
Skills
- RallyingThe skill of exchanging shots back and forth to build and win a point.
- Net playThe skill of controlling points close to the net with volleys and touch shots.
- ServingThe skill of putting the ball or shuttle into play to start a point or rally.
- ShootingThe skill of striking or releasing the ball toward the goal or basket to score.
- Ball controlThe skill of receiving and settling the ball quickly so it is ready to use.
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.
- HeaderA technique for controlling or striking the ball with the forehead in football, used to pass, shoot or clear the ball in the air.
- 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.
Tactics
- Serve and volleyAn attacking tennis tactic where the server follows their serve to the net to finish the point with a volley.
- Doubles formationHow a pair positions itself on court — one up, one back, or both at the net — to control space in doubles.
- Net playControlling the point from close to the net with volleys, smashes and touch shots to cut down an opponent’s time.
- Counter-attackWinning the ball and moving forward at speed to attack before the opponent can reorganise their defence.
- High pressA football tactic where a team hunts the ball high up the pitch to win it back close to the opponent’s goal.
Facilities
- Padel courtAn enclosed court, much smaller than a tennis court, walled with glass and mesh so the ball can be played off the walls.
- Tennis courtA rectangular marked court, divided across the middle by a net, where tennis is played as singles or doubles.
- Volleyball courtA rectangular court split by a high net over which two teams rally the ball, played indoors or on sand.
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- Tier A — evergreen educational
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- Content updated
- 2026-08-04
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