Surviving the Half Volley ("Boom Boom")
No one actually wants to hit a half-volley. Even aggressive players are typically forced into it when they fail to move their feet (e.g., camping out on the baseline, caught in no-man's-land while moving in on serve-and-volley or on an approach shot, etc.).
Unlike a groundstroke, the half volley isn't really a swing; it's more of an on the rise block. A half volley is identifiable by the sound the ball makes coming off the ground and immediately onto your strings—"boom-boom." Instead of swinging, let your legs move you through the ball. Timing get's trickier the closer you are to the net, and the sooner you hit the ball off of the bounce, so focus on the moment of contact.
My 6 half volley survival tips:
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If you're driving your half volleys into the net or too far,
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bend your knees and drop your racket head low,
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follow through with your racket head high.
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If your shots lack power,
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meet the ball out in front of you more, and
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move through the shot with your legs.
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If you are deep in the court
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use topspin, and
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follow through higher to return deep.
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If you are closer to the net
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use backspin to angle face more open, and
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abbreviate your follow through to control the ball up and over the net and not as far.
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If you are shanking the ball off the bottom of the racket frame,
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keep your head still at the moment of contact, and
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avoid rotating your shoulders to stay level.
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If you're hitting into the net from behind the service line,
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create more topspin by brushing up the back of the ball.
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Half Volley Tips
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Get the racket low. (Don't swing down on the ball.)
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Move through the shot. (Don't stop and hit the ball.)
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Never slice a half volley. (There is not room for downward racket motion.)
Lower your Strike Zone (Get Down)
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Situations when to hit a half volley?
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For aggressive serve-and-volley players, usually just after hitting a strong serve or approach shot.
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You have no time to move your feet.
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Never move backwards; that's defensive and doesn't hurt anyone.
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Moving forward takes reaction time away from your opponent.
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If you fail to bend either of your knees, you will look like a golfer and the ball with float up, like you hit it with a 9 iron.
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If you only bend your front knee, you'll tilt forward resulting in an unbalanced shot. You'll feel more comfortable.
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When you bend both knees, you'll be balanced and aggressively return the ball just over the net.
Beginner Half Volley is a "Block" Shot
You'll come up against the need to hit a half volley more frequently in doubles play. You have to have this shot in your repetiore. Practice hitting 50 balls with a hitting partner feeding them to you over the net.
Half Volley Basics
When you opponent hits a deep ball at your feet, you have two options:
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Move back 10-15' and wait for it to fall into your strike zone.
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Get low and take it on the rise.
Choosing the second option does three things for you:
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Moving back isn't going to help you take control of the point.
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Stepping up will take time away from your opponent.
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You mentally take away your opponent's Plan A. They may not have a plan B
Steps:
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Decide early. You have a lot less time to adjust.
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Focus on the ball before and after the bounce to get the bounce-hit rhythm.
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Get your feet in the right position.
Drill:
Play in front of a piece of masking tape 3' behind the baseline.
Half Volley: Four Drill Progression
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Place ball on ground. Walk racket over ball.Let your legs drive your racket through the ball.
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Drop hit it yourself.
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Have a partner hand feed you balls.
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Practice live across the net from a partner.
A Half Volley is not an abbreviated Groundstroke
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Continental grip on forehand and backhand side.
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Short backswing.
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Take it on the rise.
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You may have to hit the ball just after an approach shot.
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To hit it longer, follow through more.
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Beginners can use backspin to slow it down and add more control.
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Shoulders perpendicular to the net.
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Spread your wings to stay balanced.