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Tennis · Level 7: Upper-Advanced · Sub-level 7.2

The Serve-and-Volleyer

4 tests · 40 facts · updated 12 October 2026 · markdown

Attacking the net behind the serve and the return: serving to come in, the volleys that follow, chip and charge, and where the style stands in today's game.

Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.

Test 1Serving to come inTake a test

  1. The server moves in behind the serve so the first ball after the return is a volley.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  2. A spin serve takes longer to reach the returner, which gives the server extra steps towards the net.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  3. The return comes back quickly, so every step gained before it arrives matters.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  4. Splitting at the returner's contact lets the server move to either side for the first volley.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  5. Without room to swing, the returner often sends back a weaker, higher ball.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  6. A weaker second serve gives the returner time and a ball to attack the incoming server.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  7. Rushing now and then on the second serve stops the returner from settling on it.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  8. The plan, the run in, the split step and the first volley follow each other.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  9. The slower and loopier the serve, the more time the server has to move in.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · applied

  10. Following the direction of the serve puts the volleyer in the middle of the returner's angles.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · applied

Test 2The volleys that followTake a test

  1. A ball below the tape must be lifted, so the safe aim is depth and a better second volley.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  2. A ball landing at the feet can only be taken just after the bounce, with a short, firm stroke.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · applied

  3. After the first volley has moved in, the second volley is the chance to put the ball away.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  4. Softening the grip and opening the face absorb the incoming pace, so the ball drops just over the net.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  5. A deep opponent has the longest run to a ball that dies near the net.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  6. The angle volley uses the width of the court to take the ball away from the passer.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  7. Moving in and shading towards the ball covers the likely passing lanes.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · applied

  8. The volleyer moves in with each volley, so the first is furthest from the net.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  9. The decision comes from the opponent's position; a soft grip and an early contact make the ball die.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  10. A drop volley lands short; against a deep opponent B is the one that wins.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · applied

Test 3Chip and chargeTake a test

  1. A low, skidding slice leaves the server a ball below the net to lift, which the incoming returner can volley.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  2. A first serve arrives too fast to chip and still move forward in time.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  3. A low, skidding ball makes the server hit up, and the backhand is often the weaker passing shot.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  4. Hitting up gives the incoming returner a higher ball to volley.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  5. The returner arrives at the net early, so a good passing shot can beat them.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  6. Knowing the returner may rush, the server feels they must make the second serve better.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  7. On slow courts the chip sits up and the server has time to set up a pass.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  8. The chance comes from the second serve; the chip and the run in set up the volley.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  9. The slower the serve, the more time the returner has to chip and come in.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · applied

  10. Splitting near the service line as the server hits keeps the returner balanced for the first volley.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · applied

Test 4Serve-and-volley in today's gameTake a test

  1. Commonly cited reasons are slower surfaces and balls, and returns hit harder with modern rackets and strings.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  2. A low, fast bounce makes the return harder and the volley easier.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  3. Used sparingly, the rush catches returners who are set up for a baseline rally.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  4. Low, early returns force difficult volleys before the server has closed in.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  5. Short service points mean less running across a long match.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  6. The lob is the natural reply to a player at the net, so it must be punished.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  7. An early return reaches the server before they have moved far forward.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  8. The lower and faster the bounce, the better serve-and-volley works.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  9. An early, low return sets up the pass or lob that follows.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · recall

  10. The low, skidding bounce on grass makes a strong return hardest.

    Source: General coaching reference (net play) · applied

Sources

ITF coach-education materials, ITF Coaching & Sport Science Review, federation curricula, general coaching references; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered ITF rules belong to the Rules category.

  • General coaching reference (net play)40