How to Read Depth on an Approach Shot and Choose Between Driving or Slicing Your First Volley

Bottom Line

Read the approach shot by its depth, height, spin, and your court position. If you have time, balance, and a ball above net height, drive the first volley through the open court. If the ball is low, dipping, fast, or reaching you before you are set, slice the first volley to keep it controlled, low, and hard to attack.

Read Depth Before You Commit

The first decision is not drive versus slice. It is whether the ball gives you enough time and contact height to attack. A deep approach that pushes the opponent back usually creates a more comfortable first volley because the reply has farther to travel. A short or soft approach often gives the opponent time to step in, dip the ball, or pass from a stronger position.

Drive the Volley When the Ball Lets You Hit Forward

Choose a firmer, driving volley when you are balanced, inside the service line or moving through it, and meeting the ball at or above net height. Keep the swing compact, step through the shot, and send the volley decisively into space rather than trying to overhit. The goal is to finish or force a weak second ball.

Slice the Volley When Control Matters More Than Pace

Choose a sliced first volley when the ball is low, dipping, wide, heavy, or arriving before you are fully set. A slightly open racquet face and short, firm movement help keep the volley low. This is often the better choice when you need to neutralize the passer, make the opponent hit up, and close tighter for the next volley.

Use Contact Height as the Simple Rule

A practical rule is this: above the net, think drive; below the net, think slice or block. This keeps the decision simple under pressure. Driving a low volley usually lifts the ball or creates errors, while slicing or blocking it gives you a larger margin and buys time to improve your net position.

Train the Decision, Not Just the Stroke

Practice with feeds that vary depth and height after your approach shot. Call out “drive” or “slice” before contact, then play the point out. This trains the reading skill that matters in matches: seeing the quality of your approach, recognizing the opponent’s contact, and choosing the first volley before the ball is already on you.

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