Win the Net-Height Battle: Take Contact Above the Net Tape
The Situation
Your volleys float up and give opponents easy attacks, or you find yourself volleying from below the net.
What To Do
Take every volley at the highest, earliest point you can, ideally above the height of the net tape. Move forward to meet the ball rather than letting it drop to you, and hold your net position so you keep taking balls high.
Why It Works
Net height decides who attacks: contact above the tape lets you hit down into the court, while contact below it forces you to lift and hands the attack straight back. Letting a volley drop turns an attacking ball into a defensive one. Taking it early and high also robs opponents of reaction time. This single habit, contact point above the tape, separates pairs who own the net from pairs who merely stand at it.
Court Positioning
Two contact points compared: above the tape → downward attacking volley into the court; below the tape → forced upward lift that opponents attack. Net player stepping forward to meet the ball at its highest point.
Court View
Bird's-eye view: attacking net position
Skill Level
Volley Down at Feet: Not at the Body
You are at the net and receive a medium-height ball you can control.
Stand 1 Metre from the Net: Not 2
You are at the net but keep backing up when opponents wind up for a shot.
Mirror Your Partner's Lateral Movement
You and your partner are both at the net and a ball goes to your partner's side.