How to play a Straight Volley Drive
Volley | Straight Volley Drive | Cross-Court Volley Drive | Straight Volley Lob | Cross-Court Volley Lob
A Straight Volley Drive is played in order to push an opponent and the ball to the back of court and away from the T-Position much the way a Straight Drive is but with added aggression.
Since a Straight Volley Drive is played faster than an ordinary Straight Drive in order to speed up the game, it can be better at forcing a weak shot from an opponent.
Whenever, we play a Volley Drive we need to make sure that we get the length right, as if it comes off the back wall a lot it relieves the pressure on our opponent and wastes the effort we put in taking it early.
It is also the most common and reliable shot for Returning the Serve.
Play a great volley drive shot in four simple steps:
- Hunting the Volley & showing intent – To play a Volley you have to show intent. You could have the best Volley in the world but if you are not ready or in position to execute it, it is useless. You have to make sure you are high up on the court, ideally on the T-position, with your racket by your chest and ready.
- Timing – You should aim to hit the ball early and in front of you so that you can get your whole body behind the swing and also hit the ball as soon as possible so as to further increase the pressure on your opponent.
- Long swing – The swing on a Volley length is much like that of a Straight Drive. Your racket should start and end high. The swing should be long so that you can achieve power and control.
- High to Low swing – Make sure your swing goes from high to low so that the ball comes downwards enough to make it bounce twice just as it gets to the back wall, trapping your opponent in the back corner.
→ Check out our other related Volley Shots:
Volley Boast | Volley Reverse Boast | Volley Drop | Cross-Court Volley Drop | Straight Volley Kill | Cross-Court Volley Kill | Volley Nick
→ Recommended posts for those looking at Volleys:
Changing the pace of the game, Five ways to improve your squash now, Controlling the T-Position, Cross-Court Volleying as a Return of Serve