A: Taking more balls in the air is less about “quick hands” and more about getting your feet organized early enough that the contact feels simple, not rushed.
A few anchors to keep in mind:
Start Moving Before the Ball Gets to You
Most players wait until the ball is almost on them, then try to fix everything with a last-second lunge. That’s when volleys feel rushed.
Instead, as soon as it’s clear the ball is coming to you in the air:
- Take a small adjustment step toward where the ball will be.
- Use short shuffle steps, not big strides.
- Think “early mini-steps” instead of “late big step.”
Even one small, early step usually gives you a clean contact instead of a reach.
Get Set Before Contact
You want a simple rhythm in your head: move, set, hit.
If you’re still moving as you swing, you’ll see:
- Mishits off the edge of the paddle.
- Pop-ups from a drifting contact point.
- Balls into the net because your body is still sliding.
Even if it’s quick, there should be a tiny moment where:
- Both feet are under you.
- Weight is evenly balanced, or gently moving forward.
- You feel stable enough that you could stop if you needed to.
That beat of being set is what makes volleys feel calm.
Use a Small Split-Step to Stay Ready
Right before your opponent hits, add a small split-step — a light bounce or settle onto the balls of your feet.
That:
- Gets you balanced.
- Makes your first step sharper and more controlled.
- Keeps you from getting stuck flat-footed at the kitchen.
You don’t need a dramatic jump. Just a tiny reset as they contact the ball.
Step to the Ball, Don’t Reach for It
If the ball is even a little off your line and you don’t move your feet, your arm will reach across your body to find it. That’s where weak, spray-shot volleys come from.
Instead:
- Take one small step so your body comes to the ball.
- Keep the contact point slightly in front of your body.
- Let the paddle stay in front of your chest, not way off to the side.
A simple self-check: if you keep feeling the ball close to your hip or behind you, assume it’s a footwork problem first, not a paddle problem.
Step Forward When the Ball Allows It
When the ball is out in front and high enough to attack:
- Take a small, controlled step forward into it.
- Use that step to add stability more than power.
- Avoid lunging so far that you end up off balance or drifting into the kitchen if you’re at the NVZ.
Think short step and punch rather than big step and swing.
Know When Not to Volley
Trying to take every ball in the air is where a lot of errors come from.
If the ball is:
- Below net height,
- Pulling you off balance,
- Or forcing you into a big reach,
it’s usually better to let it bounce, reset your feet, and play a softer shot. Taking balls early is good; forcing early contact from bad positions is not.