Coaching the Volley – Domenika Turković’s Way

Stay grounded. Stay forward. Meet the ball with purpose.

Focus 1: Bend Your Knees & Stay Grounded

Strong legs create stable volleys. To succeed at the net, players must get low before the ball arrives and stay grounded throughout the exchange. The foundation of balance comes from the ground up. Players should begin and finish in an athletic stance, with knees bent, heels light, and the core engaged. Lowering from the knees rather than bending from the waist ensures stability and better posture. Even under pressure, the knees should remain flexed so the player can stay ready to react. A great way to train this habit is the Volley Freeze Drill. After each volley, players pause for a full second in their low ready position before resetting. This simple exercise builds posture awareness, reinforces leg discipline, and helps players maintain strong foundations during fast-paced exchanges.

Focus 2: Balance Forward with Intent

Balance is key to controlling volleys, and the body should always lean slightly forward with weight on the balls of the feet. The simple cue “nose over toes” keeps players in the right posture, helping them meet the ball in front of the body rather than letting it drift too close. Staying balanced through the shot allows the paddle to remain quiet and controlled, avoiding overreaching or lunging. By letting the ball come to their balance point, players can respond with precision and efficiency. This forward intent creates confidence at the net and makes it easier to transition between punch, roll, and block volleys.

Focus 3: Contact in Front – Punch, Roll, or Block

A consistent volley begins with the contact point. Players should meet the ball six to twelve inches in front of the body, paddle out and centered. If the ball jams the body, control is lost. Instead, a forward contact allows players to choose between three intentional volleys: the punch, the roll, or the block. The punch volley uses a short, firm motion to drive the ball with aggressive placement. The roll volley brushes up slightly, adding topspin for shape and control. The block volley absorbs speed against hard drives, using a stable paddle face and soft hands. To practice each skill, the Punch, Roll, Block Circuit is highly effective. Players rotate through three stations: punch volleys, topspin rolls either down the line or short crosscourt, and block volleys against fed drives. This circuit helps players understand both the mechanics and intent behind each volley type, preparing them to handle different situations with confidence.

“The volley isn’t just reaction—it’s opportunity. When your knees are bent, your weight is forward, and your paddle is out in front, you’re ready for anything. Punch it with purpose, roll it with feel, or block it with calm.”