The Basic Backhand Volley

Step 1: The Grip

Both forehand and backhand volleys use the same grip.

If you are right-handed, taking the racket in your left hand, hold it directly out in front of you.

Touch the strings with your right thumb and index finger, so they make a loop around the top of the frame.

Slide the right hand down the racket, and close it around the grip.

For left-handed players, the grip, and the actions in subsequent steps, are identical but on the opposite side.

Step 2: Find your best practice position

Stand at the net, and take three steps back to reach your ideal practice position - closer to the net for shorter players, further away if you are tall.

You will make the opposite movement in the shot: you start at three, right foot forward to two, racket out to one.

Step 3: The shot

Prepare for the shot supporting the base of the racket head with your left hand and turning your body to the left.

The wrist of your racket arm should be bent slightly inwards.

Hitting with the wrist straight or bent backwards not only reduces your control over the shot, you also risk injuring your wrist.

Meet the ball with the top of the racket at eye level, and the racket head facing diagonally upwards. This way, no more than a light touch from the racket head should be enough to make the ball go over the net.

Rather than swinging the racket at the ball as you would in a longer shot, think of the racket as a wall and, the ball as bouncing off it.

As you hit the ball, separate your hands, letting your left hand come away from the racket. At the same time, bring your right foot diagonally forwards and to the left and shift your weight forwards into the shot.

Then return your right leg to its original position, so you are face on to the net ready for your next shot.

The best position to hit the ball is with the racket pointing slightly upwards, but you can lift your arm to meet a high ball.

To volley from below the net, bend your knees to lower your whole body to the level of the ball.

Playing a volley with the racket in the correct position - at eye level and in front of the line of the body - keeps racket and ball central in your field of vision throughout the shot.

You can learn about the forehand volley and many other shots in other films in our tennis series.