half volley

¹ American  

noun

1. (in tennis, racquets, etc.) a stroke in which the ball is hit the moment it bounces from the ground.

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half-volley ² American  

[haf-vol-ee, hahf-] / ˈhæfˌvɒl i, ˈhɑf- /

verb (used with or without object)

half-volleyed, half-volleying

1. to make or stroke with a half volley.

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half volley British  

noun

1. a stroke or shot in which the ball is hit immediately after it bounces

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verb

1. to hit or kick (a ball) immediately after it bounces

Other Word Forms

• half-volleyer noun

Etymology

Origin of half volley¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Origin of half-volley²

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

Nine minutes later, Kelly's high cross from the right was only half cleared, allowing Hemp to crisply fire the loose ball past Berger on the half volley.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2023

Kane fired wide on the half volley soon after before he made a costly error to allow the away side to double its advantage in the 73rd.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 1, 2023

But the home side always looked like they could grab a second, and they did when Vetlesen lost Bitton in the box and knocked home Morten Konradsen's cut-back on the half volley.

From BBC • Feb. 24, 2022

Eventually the ball fell to Williams, who fired a 12-yard half volley inside the far post.

From Washington Post • Jul. 30, 2021

The half volley is essentially a defensive stroke, since it should only be made as a last resort, when caught out of position by your opponent's shot.

From The Art of Lawn Tennis by Tilden, William (Bill) Tatem