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

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

On-loan Everton forward Ellis Simms stabbed a close-range effort off the near post before St Johnstone's Murray Davidson drilled a half volley just wide at the other end.

From BBC • Feb. 19, 2022

Soren Rieks also put a half volley wide early in the second half as the Swedish league leaders threatened to cause a shock.

From BBC • Nov. 2, 2021

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

From Washington Post • Jul. 30, 2021

Notwithstanding these truths, there are certain players who have turned the half volley into a point winner.

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