The Bryan Brothers volley drill for doubles

Doubles at pace is a different sport at the net. The ball arrives fast, the angles are tight, and the volleyer has to create space, manoeuvre their body and still control direction. This exercise, attributed to the Bryan Brothers, is built for exactly that challenge.

The set-up

Two players start on opposite sides of the net in the tramlines and volley to each other, hitting both forehand and backhand volleys. The exercise demands constant footwork: spacing from the ball, adjusting body position, and getting the racket to contact out in front on every single shot.

What it builds

The primary skill here is the ability to manoeuvre under pressure. In fast doubles exchanges, the volleyer often has to move their body out of the way of the ball before they can hit it. That combination of spacing, body adjustment and directional control is what separates a competent volleyer from a good one.

Trajectory and direction control matter too. Hitting from tight angles with pace coming at you, while still placing the ball accurately, is a skill that only develops through repeated practice in realistic conditions. This drill provides that..works for us