Half volley

A half volley in tennis is a shot that is hit immediately after the ball bounces. The player who is hitting the half volley should take not a full backswing, but still follow through. It is sometimes called an "on the rise shot". The grip for this shot is a standard continental. Also, staying down when hitting the shot is very important, or else it will go long. This is the basic form for the volley, hence the name: half volley. The two parts of the tennis court where this shot is generally used are on the baseline and the service line.

A half volley is a difficult shot to make. Often a player hits a half volley only when forced by the opponent or caught out of position. However, some professionals such as Pete Sampras have exceptional half volleys that can be used as a weapon.

In his 1979 autobiography Jack Kramer devotes a page to the best tennis strokes he had ever seen. He writes: "HALF-VOLLEY—Gonzales and Rosewall. Kenny had to learn to hit a half-volley because his serve was so weak that he had to pick up shots at his feet as he came to the net. With his great serve, I don't know why Gorgo had to hit so many half-volleys, but he sure learned how."

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Half volley — Volley Vol ley, n.; pl. {Volleys}. [F. vol[ e]e; flight, a volley, or discharge of several guns, fr. voler to fly, L. volare. See {Volatile}.] 1. A flight of missiles, as arrows, bullets, or the like; the simultaneous discharge of a number of… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
half-volley — [haf′väl′ē] vt., vi. to return (a ball) with a half volley … English World dictionary
half-volley — half volleyer, n. /haf vol ee, hahf /, v.t., v.i., half volleyed, half volleying. to make or stroke with a half volley. [1870 75] * * * … Universalium
half volley — noun count in some sports, a shot in which a player hits or kicks the ball just after it hits the ground … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
half-volley — ► NOUN ▪ (in sport) a strike or kick of the ball immediately after it bounces … English terms dictionary
half volley — n. Racket Sports a stroke made in returning the ball just as it begins to bounce after striking the ground … English World dictionary
half volley — noun a tennis return made by hitting the ball immediately after it bounces • Hypernyms: ↑return * * * noun : a ball that is stroked or batted at the instant it rebounds from the ground: as a. : a kick in soccer taken on the run as a ball rebounds … Useful english dictionary
half-volley — ˈ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ verb Etymology: half volley transitive verb : to drive (a tennis ball) as a half volley intransitive verb : to play a half volley in tennis * * * ˈhalf volley 7 [half volley … Useful english dictionary
half volley — UK / US noun [countable] Word forms half volley : singular half volley plural half volleys in some sports, a shot in which a player hits or kicks the ball just after it hits the ground … English dictionary
half-volley — /haf ˈvɒli/ (say hahf volee) noun 1. a delivered ball or its return, hit or kicked the moment after it bounces from the ground. –verb (i) (half volleyed, half volleying) 2. to hit or play a half volley …

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Half volley

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Half volley

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