Shots in the forecourt that are below the height of the net are among the most challenging in the game. Nobody likes to hit them, but there are a couple of things you can do to improve your likelihood of executing this difficult shot effectively.
When I’m hitting a low volley, one thing I always try to do is to get low myself, using my legs—not my back—like shock absorbers. Once you’ve gotten yourself in good position your next task is to make the right shot selection, and because the net is such an imposing obstacle to overcome when you’re volleying a low ball, your choices are limited. The standard play is to hit a controlled shot deep in the court. But I find it’s often useful to mix in a soft, short ball—make sure you keep your hands soft—that just drops over the net.
Struck properly, this shot forces the opponent to run forward toward the ball and often their only choice is to hit it up. In that case you are in a position of power and can’t easily put the ball away.