By Abigail Gannaban · Last updated October 30, 2026
Volleys that fly long usually come from a grip that's too tight. This solo drill fixes that with a soft catch: you volley into a ball rebounder, then cushion the return on your strings so the ball nearly stops, let it drop, and volley again. A rebound net sends the ball back at a height you choose, so you can repeat the sequence alone at home. After a few sessions, the relaxed hand starts showing up in your real volleys.
What is the soft catch volley drill?
The soft catch drill teaches a volleyer to absorb the ball with feel instead of hitting it hard. Coach Kyle LaCroix uses a Soft Catch drill in his serve-and-volley series on TennisPlayer.net: the player has to catch and control the ball with feel, because a tight grip and a stiff body make volleys hard to control. The idea is a gear change, from swinging hard to a loose, quiet hand. USTA National Coach Roger Anderson's at-home wall drills ask for the same soft hands on half volleys and drop shots.
How do you run the drill alone on a ball rebounder?
Set the net so returns come back about chest high, stand a few steps away, and repeat a three-touch sequence: volley, catch, volley. The setup values below are our adaptation of the drill for solo work.
| Setup item | Value | From |
|---|---|---|
| Ball rebounder | The Stinger X Multi Sport Ball Rebounder, screen set for chest-high returns | Our adaptation |
| Distance | About 6 to 10 ft from the net | Our suggestion |
| Sequence | Volley into the net, soft-catch the return on the strings, let it drop, volley again | Soft Catch principle (LaCroix); sequence is ours |
| Reps | 10 sequences forehand, 10 backhand, 3 rounds | Our suggestion |
| Skill trained | Grip pressure and touch on the volley | LaCroix; Anderson |
On the catch, let the racket give as the ball arrives, as if catching an egg. If the ball bounces off the strings, the grip is still too tight.
What should you feel on a good soft-hands volley?
A good soft-hands volley feels quiet: short movement, a relaxed grip and the ball staying on the strings a moment longer. Keep the racket head up and in front, and let the body move forward rather than the arm swinging. After each soft catch, the next volley should use about the same grip pressure, firm enough to direct the ball and no tighter. When volleys start sailing again, go back to more catches between volleys until the feel returns.
Why practice volleys on a ball rebounder instead of a wall?
A ball rebounder lets you choose the return height with its screen position, and it rolls to a driveway, patio or court. All Ball Pro makes steel-frame, multi-sport ball rebounders, also called rebound nets, in St. Louis, Missouri, and the Stinger X has three screen positions plus tilt. A wall returns the ball off one flat face, so the height you hit decides the return; the rebound net lets you set chest-high returns and keep them there for volley work.
Why use the Stinger X for a volley drill?
The Stinger X's smaller net rewards placement, which is the point of a control drill. The math: its 3.5' x 3.5' net frame is 12.25 sq ft, about half The Varsity's 25 sq ft (5' x 5'), and 12.25 ÷ 25 = 0.49. At volley distance, a smaller target makes a loose, directed volley the only kind that keeps the drill going. If you'll also hit groundstrokes or share the unit with other sports, The Varsity Multi Sport Ball Rebounder gives more margin.
FAQ
Why do my tennis volleys go long? Usually because the grip is too tight or the arm swings at the ball. A soft-hands drill teaches you to absorb pace with a looser grip and a short movement.
How close should I stand to a rebounder for volleys? Start a few steps away so returns arrive at chest height with time to react. Move closer as the soft catches get clean, which speeds up the returns.
Can beginners do the soft catch drill? Yes. Beginners can start by catching every return on the strings before volleying, then remove catches as their touch improves.
Soft hands come from feeling the ball, and a rebound net lets you feel hundreds of volleys alone. See The Stinger X Multi Sport Ball Rebounder.