Drive Volley (Swinging Volley)
Also known as: drive volley, swinging volley, forehand drive volley, swinging forehand volley, swinging volleys, drive volleys
A drive volley, or swinging volley, is a full topspin groundstroke swing at a slow, high ball taken out of the air, usually from around the service line. Use it on floaters you would otherwise let bounce. Most other volleys work better as a short punch with little backswing.
A standard volley is a short punch with a continental grip. The swinging volley breaks that pattern on purpose. Picture a slow, looping ball that would bounce high near your baseline. You move forward and take it in the air with a forehand or backhand groundstroke swing. It takes time away from the opponent and puts you near the net before they recover. It is also called a drive volley.
Switch to your groundstroke grip, such as an eastern or semi-western forehand grip. Turn early and keep the backswing compact, about half of a normal baseline swing. Track the ball as it comes down and meet it between chest and shoulder height, well out in front. Brush up and forward for topspin. The spin brings the ball down inside the baseline. A flat swinging volley tends to sail long. Keep your head still through contact, then keep moving forward and split step for the next volley or overhead.
Save it for balls that are high, slow and in front of you. A fast or low ball gives too little time for a full swing and is safer as a punch volley. A ball well above your head is usually an overhead. Many coaches add the swinging volley once a player can rally and volley reliably. Aim deep crosscourt or deep down the middle with good net clearance, then close in.
Tips by skill level
Practise from the service line with a partner feeding slow, high balls. Swing at half speed with plenty of topspin and aim deep crosscourt.
Use it to attack moon balls and slow defensive lobs that are too low to smash. Aim to the open court or deep to the backhand, then close in for the next volley.
Example
Her opponent, pinned deep, throws up a high, soft crosscourt ball. Instead of waiting at the baseline for it to bounce, she moves in, takes it at shoulder height with a topspin forehand swing and follows it to the net. She finishes the point with a simple punch volley.
Why it matters
Letting a floater bounce hands the opponent time to recover. A swinging volley turns their defensive ball into your chance to take the net.
Common mistakes
- Hitting it flat. Without topspin the ball tends to fly long.
- Taking a full baseline backswing and arriving late
- Trying it on low or fast balls that call for a punch volley
- Stopping after the shot instead of moving forward to the net
Frequently asked questions
When should I hit a swinging volley?
On a slow, high ball you can take out of the air from around the service line or midcourt, when letting it bounce would push you back. Fast, low or awkward balls are safer as a normal punch volley.
What is a drive volley in tennis?
It is another name for the swinging volley. You take a high, slow ball out of the air with a full topspin groundstroke swing instead of a short punch.
Should I swing at a volley?
Most volleys work best as a short punch with little backswing. The exception is a high, slow floater in midcourt. There a swinging volley with topspin can be a strong attacking shot.
Related terms
- Volley TechniqueVolley technique is the mechanics of striking the ball before it bounces. It uses a short, firm punch action rather than a full groundstroke swing.
- Approach to NetApproaching the net means moving forward from the baseline after an approach shot or serve. The aim is to put away the point with a volley or overhead.
- Moon BallA moon ball is a very high, heavily topspun groundstroke. It disrupts rhythm and buys recovery time without going as high or defensive as a lob.
- TopspinTopspin is forward spin imparted by brushing up the back of the ball. It makes the ball dip down into the court and kick up high after the bounce.
- Overhead / SmashThe overhead (or smash) is a serve-like stroke struck above the head to put away a lob, demanding quick shoulder turn, a trophy-position racquet path, and aggressive pronation through contact.
- Half-VolleyA half-volley is hit just after the bounce, at ankle or shoe height. This reactive "scoop" needs exceptional timing and a low body position.
Related guides & benchmarks
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