Volley technique: vertical racket head and slice

What this lesson covers

The volley requires an immediate racket preparation as the ball approaches. Unlike tennis, the racket head starts in a vertical position. Maintaining this vertical orientation through contact allows the player to apply slice, which keeps the ball low after it bounces off the glass. The hand leads the movement slightly to guide the ball rather than chopping at it with excessive force.

Players often mistakenly open the racket face too much, but keeping it vertical and open with the hand ensures the ball stays low at the opponent's end. This technique applies equally to the backhand. The goal is to guide the ball so it dies in the opponent's court, rather than hitting it with power to pass them. This lesson suits players who struggle with volleys that sit up too high for their opponents.