How to Beat a Serve-and-Volley Player

Serve-and-volley players are rare at the amateur level now, but when you face one — especially in doubles or on a fast surface — they create a very specific type of pressure that can be difficult to handle if you're not prepared. This article gives you the tactical tools to neutralize the serve-and-volley threat.

Understanding the serve-and-volley threat

The serve-and-volley player's strategy is built on compressing time. By coming to the net immediately after the serve, they remove your baseline reset and force you to make a decision under pressure: pass them, lob them, or give them an easy volley.

Their weakness is that they must commit to the net before they know where your return is going. That commitment is what you exploit.

1. Return low at their feet

The serve-and-volley player's biggest vulnerability is the ball at their feet — specifically at the junction between the service line and mid-court, where they can't comfortably get under the ball for a clean volley.

Your return doesn't need to be aggressive. A controlled, low chip return down the middle or crosscourt forces them to volley up from below net height. An upward volley from below the tape gives you time to pass or approach for the next ball.

Practice returning with slice or a flat, low chip specifically for this situation.

2. Use the lob as a weapon, not a desperation shot

Most players only lob when they're out of options. Against a serve-and-volley player, the lob should be part of your planned arsenal. Use it as a first strike — not just a fallback.

A deep lob down the line, especially on the backhand side, forces them to chase back and sets you up in the net position. Even if they run it down, the momentum of the point has shifted. They're now behind the baseline, you're at the net, and the serve-and-volley advantage is gone.

3. Go at their body

Serve-and-volley players practice wide volleys and low volleys constantly. They're less comfortable with balls directly at their body, which neutralizes the reach advantage of an extended volley.

On passing shots, instead of always going wide or down the line, aim for the hip on their dominant side. It's a difficult volley to execute and forces them to jam their elbow — often producing a weak reply you can put away.

4. Vary your return target point by point

Don't become predictable. If you go crosscourt twice, go down the line next. If you've been chipping low, drive one at their chest. Serve-and-volley players train their reflexes for the most common returns — unpredictability forces them to react rather than anticipate.

5. Target the backhand volley

Most players at the competitive amateur level have a stronger forehand volley than backhand. Identify which side is weaker (usually backhand), and consistently return to that side under pressure. A weak backhand volley produces short balls or frames — both give you easy put-away opportunities.

Summary