DictionaryvolleyBall strike before a bounce
noun / verb

volley

A strike of a ball before it touches the ground.

She volleys the tennis ball back before it touches the court.

Etymology

The French source means flight. A sporting volley strikes the ball while it remains in flight, before it reaches the ground.

More examples

  • His volley sends the soccer ball straight into the net.
  • I practiced volleying with a partner near the net.
  • They traded quick volleys without letting the ball bounce.

Forms

volley · volleys · volleyed · volleying

Similar words

return
Can follow a bounce, unlike a volley.
shot
Includes ball strikes made before or after a bounce.