Why Your Volleys Pop Up In Tennis (And How To Fix Them)

Key Takeaways

• Volleys pop up mainly from an open racket face at impact, late contact behind the body, and poor forward weight transfer.
• Both the forehand volley and backhand volleys usually float for the same core reasons: too much swing, not enough forward body weight, and a wrong contact point.
• Many beginners can fix pop-up errors with simple "punch not swing" mechanics, a continental grip, and learning to keep the racket head slightly above the wrist at contact.
• Targeted drills, progressions, and a structured weekly practice plan are the fastest path to eliminating floaty volleys for good.
• Coaching feedback through platforms like PlayYourCourt accelerates progress by catching subtle errors you can't feel on your own.

Why Volleys Pop Up In Tennis (Coach's Quick Diagnosis)

As pro coaches, we see the same shot ruin net play every week: a volley that floats up into the air like a beach ball, sitting high and slow while your opponent lines up an easy passing shot or overhead. That "popup" volley is the number-one confidence killer for tennis players who want to come forward. A tennis volley is hit before the ball bounces, which means reaction time is short and there's almost no room for mechanical errors.

This guide is specifically for beginners and early intermediate players who struggle with floaty forehand and backhand volleys at the net. A good volley requires excellent body control and positioning, and when those break down, the ball flies up instead of forward.

The three biggest causes of pop-up volleys:

1. Racket face too open - strings pointing toward the sky at contact.
2. Body weight falling backward - no forward step or commitment.
3. Swinging the racket instead of punching through the ball.

Every fix, drill, error table, and practice plan you need is below. PlayYourCourt pros see these same mistakes constantly in private lessons and video coaching sessions nationwide.

Main Technical Reasons Volleys Pop Up

Almost every pop-up volley traces back to a few repeatable technical errors that show up in both forehand and backhand shots. Here's what's actually going wrong:

• Overly open racket face. Volleys pop up primarily due to an open racket face at impact. Many beginners over-open the strings to "help" the ball clear the net, but this launches it into the air with no forward penetration.
• Late or behind-body contact. Contacting the ball too late often leads to upward trajectory and float. Your contact point should be 12–18 inches in front of your lead hip, not beside or behind your chest. When it's late, you scoop upward instead of driving forward.
• No forward weight transfer. If your body weight stays on the back foot or you stand straight up, your arm compensates by lifting. Transfer weight forward during volley contact for maximum impact.
• Too much backswing and follow-through. Swinging too much instead of using a compact punch results in floated volleys. A swing volley has its place, but the standard volley needs a short backswing and minimal follow-through.
• Soft, loose wrist. A loose wrist affects racket control and can lead to popping volleys. The racquet head flips open under the force of the incoming ball, sending it skyward.
• Forehand vs. backhand differences. The forehand volley is the most natural for players, but many tend to slap with the wrist. The backhand volley is generally more difficult to execute-players often collapse the elbow and "shovel" upward. Poor footwork contributes to the difficulty in controlling volleys on both sides.

Common Volley Pop-Up Errors And Fixes (Coach's Table)

Below is a quick-reference table pairing the most common pop-up errors with corrections you can apply immediately.

Error	What It Looks Like	Coach's Fix
Racket face too open	Ball sails high and deep, seems to fly with no pace	Start with racquet head slightly above wrist; close the face a few degrees so strings aim forward, not up. Keeping the racket head up reduces the chances of the ball floating.
Contact too late / behind you	Feeling jammed, scooping motion, ball pops straight up	Use the "out-in-front rule"-contact the ball in front of your body, at least a foot ahead of your front hip for both forehand and backhand volleys.
No step / weight on back foot	Pop-up floats short with no speed	Step forward with the opposite foot (left foot for forehand volley if right-handed). Move toward the ball instead of waiting for it.
Big swing instead of punch	Looping arm motion, timing issues, loss of control	Compact punch where the racket never leaves your peripheral vision-like a firm high-five. A good volley requires a short, compact motion.
Soft wrist	Ball floats, mishits, racquet twists	Players should maintain a firm wrist to prevent the racket from twisting at impact. Squeeze the grip for a split second at contact.
Standing too close to net	Forced to lift the ball to clear the net cord	Stand about 3 feet back from the net so you can drive the racquet forward and slightly down rather than upward.

Fundamentals That Cure Pop-Up Volleys (Step-By-Step Technique)

Before drills, you need to understand and feel the correct volley form that keeps the ball low and penetrating. Volleys should be executed as a redirection shot rather than a power shot-you're borrowing the opponent's pace, not generating your own.

• Grip. Use the continental grip for both forehand and backhand volleys (index knuckle on bevel 2, like holding a hammer). Using a continental grip helps stabilize racket position during volleys and prevents you from needing to switch mid-rally, which saves precious reaction time.
• Ready position. Hold your racquet in front of your chest, racket head slightly above net height, elbows away from your body, knees bent. Bending knees helps players get low enough for effective volley contact. Return immediately to ready position after every volley.
• Punch, not swing. A short forward movement from the shoulders with a small step-minimal backswing, almost no follow-through. The racket finishes just past the contact point. Use small adjustment steps for balls coming straight at you.
• Body weight. Feel your nose, knee, and toe stacked slightly forward in a gentle lunge toward the ball. This natural forward lean drives the shot instead of lifting it. Reaching forward with your legs loaded keeps the trajectory flat.
• Forehand volley specifics. Slight shoulder turn, stable wrist, palm staying "behind" the ball. Avoid opening the racket face mid-swing to lift low balls-bend your knee instead.
• Backhand volley specifics. Keep your non-dominant hand on the racquet throat for support, shoulder turn first, racket face only slightly open. Lead with the knuckles to avoid scooping, and keep a straight arm through contact to maintain a firm line.

Watch our PlayYourCourt volley basics lesson on YouTube to see these fundamentals in action.

On-Court Drills To Fix Pop-Up Volleys (Beginner Friendly)

These simple, coach-style drills help you feel flatter, more controlled volleys. Repeat each drill in short, focused sets of 10–15 balls rather than long, sloppy rallies.

• Drill 1: Wall Punch Volleys. Stand 8–10 feet from a wall. Mark net height with tape. Punch forehand volleys and backhand volleys keeping every ball below the tape. Focus on compact motion and a slightly closed face. This is a great option you can practice at home without a partner.
• Drill 2: Step-and-Punch Feed. A partner or coach stands on the service line feeding chest-high balls. Call out "step" as you step forward and punch. Track how many balls finish below your opponent's shoulders to measure improvement. The high flight volley is played when the ball arrives high-use this drill to discover how to handle those too.
• Drill 3: Low Volley No-Lift Challenge. Coach feeds low balls around net height. Keep trajectory flat by bending your knee and dropping your body-not by lifting your arm or dropping the racket head. Emphasize continental grip and stable wrist throughout.
• Drill 4: Target Boxes. Place cones deep in each service box. Aim forehand volleys and backhand volleys into targets without the ball ballooning high. Aim deep past the service line for effective volleys, reinforcing directional control and spin management.

PlayYourCourt members can send video of these drills to a remote coach for personalized feedback through the platform's video coaching service.

Weekly Practice Plan For Better Volleys (With Progress Tracking)

This plan is designed for busy adults and youth tennis players who want to permanently fix volley pop-ups. A volley to mid-court is played after a rise from the baseline, so you need game-like reps alongside technical work. Many players improve noticeably within 2–4 weeks following this structure.

Day	Drill / Activity	Duration	Focus
Monday	Wall Punch Volleys	15 min	Compact motion, flat trajectory, balance
Tuesday	Watch a PlayYourCourt volley tutorial + shadow swings at home	15 min	Visual learning, ground the feel
Wednesday	Step-and-Punch Feed with partner	20 min	Forward weight, contact in front, half-volley adjustment
Thursday	Rest or light play	-	Recovery
Friday	Target Boxes + Low Volley Challenge	20 min	Directional control, bend knees for low balls
Saturday	Match or point play: come to net every point	30 min	Goal: no volley pop-ups above opponent's shoulders

How to know you've improved: More volleys land at your opponent's feet. Fewer lobs and passing shots come back at you. You lose less confidence when approaching the net. You can watch match footage and see your racket face staying closed and your body moving forward. A volley to the body is often used in doubles play-if your doubles partner starts trusting you at net, that's another sign.

Combine this plan with intermediate drills and local practice partners through PlayYourCourt for more real-match reps.

Using Coaching, Video, And PlayYourCourt Resources To Lock In Your Volley

Feedback accelerates fixing pop-up errors far more than just hitting more balls the wrong way. Skilled players and intermediate players alike benefit from an outside eye.

• Local PlayYourCourt coach. A pro can quickly spot whether it's grip, contact point, or footwork causing your volley to float, and give specific cues for both forehand and backhand volleys. Find local tennis lessons for all ages and levels.
• Video coaching. Film your net play and submit it through PlayYourCourt's video coaching. Coaches can measure how open your racket face really is and whether you're stepping forward consistently-details that are invisible in real time.
• Online resources. Visit PlayYourCourt's written tutorials and comments sections for more practice ideas and community tips from other players working on the same issues.
• Combine online and in-person. Pair structured learning with real-world play-private lessons, clinics, flexible leagues, and practice partner sessions-to make new volley mechanics automatic under game pressure and speed.

FAQ: Fixing Pop-Up Volleys

These questions address common concerns that go beyond the main how-to content above.

Why do my volleys pop up more in matches than in practice?

Under pressure, many players grip tighter, forget to move their feet, and revert to swinging-all of which re-open the racket face. The force of match intensity makes old habits resurface. Try slower practice games where your only goal is controlled, low volleys to bridge the gap between practice and match play.

Should I use different grips for forehand volley and backhand volley?

Beginners should stick with the continental grip for all standard volleys. It prevents the need to switch grips under time pressure, which is where many beginners lose control. Only experiment with grip changes later for specialty shots like a drop volley or an aggressive forehand drive volley.

How close to the net should I stand to avoid popping the ball up?

Stand roughly 3 feet behind the net in your ready position so you can drive the ball forward and slightly down. Adjust a step closer only for put-aways, but never crowd so much that you're forced to lift every shot.

Can I fix my volley without a partner?

Absolutely. Wall drills, shadow swings in front of a mirror, and recording yourself on your phone are all effective solo options. Watching PlayYourCourt YouTube volley playlists and then mimicking the motion for 10–15 minutes builds real muscle memory without needing a court or partner.

How long does it usually take to stop popping up volleys?

With 2–3 focused sessions per week following the plan above, most beginners see a meaningful drop in pop-ups within 2–4 weeks. Consistent reps with correct technique and occasional coaching check-ins matter far more than total months played. Stick with the fundamentals and track your progress-the float will disappear.