Drop Volley Meaning in Tennis

A drop volley is a soft, delicate shot hit at the net that lands just over the other side. Unlike a standard volley which is hit with pace, this shot is designed to die almost immediately. The player uses soft hands to absorb the energy of the incoming ball. This causes the ball to lose all its forward momentum and drop short into the opponent’s court. It is most effective when the rival is standing far back near the baseline. Because it bounces twice very quickly, the opponent has almost no time to run forward and reach it. This shot requires perfect touch and a relaxed grip on the racquet. For example, a player might follow a deep serve to the net and surprise the returner with a tiny drop volley. This leaves the opponent stranded at the back with no hope of getting the ball. It is a beautiful display of finesse over power in a fast-paced game.