The two-step volley: why the old diagonal step is outdated

The traditional volley was taught as a single diagonal step toward the ball. For decades it was the standard. But as the pace of the modern game increased, that single step stopped being enough.

What the two-step volley looks like

The two-step volley replaces the diagonal lunge with a more athletic two-phase movement. The first step is an explosive move with the outside leg: the right leg for a right-handed forehand volley, the left leg for a backhand volley. This step covers ground, moving the player forwards, laterally, diagonally, or in whatever direction the ball demands.

The second step is the front foot landing into contact, stabilising the body and providing a platform for the shot. Together, the two steps allow the player to cover significantly more court than the old single-step method.

Why the outside leg goes first

Leading with the outside leg is what makes the movement athletic rather than mechanical. It allows the player to push off in any direction from a balanced split step position, rather than committing to a fixed diagonal path before they know where the ball is going. The first step is reactive and adjustable. The second step is the settling move that brings everything together at contact.

Practising it

The drill shown here starts with partner-fed balls to isolate the footwork pattern, then progresses to a live situation with a baseline player hitting groundstrokes. Under realistic pace, the footwork has to be efficient and instinctive. The outside leg must go first without the player consciously thinking about it.

This takes time. The recommendation is to work on it in short, frequent sessions rather than one long block. The pattern needs to become habitual, and that happens through repetition over weeks, not intensity in a single session.