What is a volley?

The volley is a complex aerial finishing technique that requires excellent timing and skill. Do you know the different types of volleys or how to execute a beautiful and classy volley?

VietNamNet•28/11/2025

What is a Volleyball?

A volley is a complex and visually stunning shooting technique performed while the ball is still in mid-air, before it touches the ground.

The term "volley" originates from the French word "volée," meaning to fly. This technique requires the player to have keen observation skills, quick reflexes, and perfect eye-foot coordination, along with the ability to judge the timing and choose the precise landing point.

Volleys are often used for surprise shots to score goals, especially when the ball is in a favorable position (for example, after a cross or a failed clearance by the opponent). An accurate and powerful volley will give the opposing goalkeeper no chance to save it. This technique is also used when a player needs to shoot quickly before defenders can close in. Volleys are also used in passing (though less common due to difficulty in control) or clearing the ball away in defense.

Classification of common volley types

The volley technique has many different variations, depending on the situation on the court:

1. Basic volley: This is a shot taken with the instep of the foot when the ball is at a moderate height, usually below the knee.

2. Scissor Volley: The player jumps up and shoots the ball with a scissor-like spinning motion, generating strong spin.

sut vo le 03.jpeg — *Illustrative image*

3. Reverse Volley/Bicycle Kick: This is an advanced variation of the volley technique, in which the player leaps off the ground, turns their back to the goal, and shoots the ball over the head. This technique requires exceptional agility and skill.

sut vo le 04.jpeg — *Illustrative image*

4. Low Volley: A shot that travels very close to the ground, creating a fast and unpredictable trajectory.

sut vo le 05.jpeg — *Illustrative image*

5. Hook Volley: Often used in crosses, the player shoots the ball to the side with a powerful twist of the foot.

Distinguishing between Volley and Half-Volley

A volley is a shot taken immediately without the ball touching the ground. Essentially, it's kicking the ball while it's still in the air.

A half-volley is a shot taken immediately after the ball has bounced and is still in flight. The prerequisite is that the ball MUST be in flight after bouncing off the ground.

In some respects, a half volley is considered easier to execute and produces a "bullet-like" shot, while a (full) volley may look more impressive but is sometimes more prone to being missed.

How to perform a basic volley

To execute a powerful and accurate volley, a seamless combination of precise technique and rigorous training is required. Basic volley technique includes the following steps:

1. Preparation and Observation:

Observe the ball's trajectory to accurately predict its landing point.
Always be ready to move to a favorable position to take a shot.

2. Position the support legs:

Place your supporting foot (the foot that isn't kicking) firmly on the ground.
Your supporting foot should be pointing straight towards the target you want to shoot at.
Keeping your footing firmly on the ground is extremely important for maintaining balance.

3. Body posture and hip rotation:

You need to position your body facing the incoming ball.
The shoulder is slightly tilted towards the supporting leg.
As the ball approaches, our hips naturally rotate in the direction of the ball's trajectory, helping to transfer force effectively.
Lean your body slightly backward to generate power and control the ball's trajectory.
Tighten your abdominal muscles (core muscles) to stabilize your midsection and increase the power transferred to your shot.
Both arms are naturally extended to the sides to maintain balance.

4. The kicking motion and ball contact:

Swing your leg powerfully, cleanly, and decisively. The leg swing should resemble "chopping" the ball, similar to a goalkeeper's kick.
Ankle lock: The ankle must be held firmly and fully extended with the instep at the moment of contact to maximize force transfer to the ball and minimize injury.
Point of contact on the foot: The instep (the part where the laces are tied) is where the most force and accuracy are generated. (Contact with the inside of the foot will increase accuracy but the force will not be as strong as with the instep).
Point of contact on the ball: Ideally, it should be slightly below the center of the ball to create a powerful shot.

5. Follow-through:

The striker should not stop abruptly but should continue the momentum after touching the ball. This movement helps maximize power transfer and create a stable ball trajectory.
Land on your supporting foot to maintain balance.

Tips for practicing and improving Vo Le technique.

1. Change your mindset (Tips):

Instead of thinking you're "hitting" or "shooting" a volley, focus on thinking you're "catching" a volley. When you think about "catching," your hand and body movements will automatically become slower, more precise, and less erratic.
When "catching the ball," the hand/racket should simply be extended and held steady, without actions such as chopping or smashing too quickly.

2. Practice specific techniques:

Timing practice: Practice shooting while the ball is moving from different directions.
High ball practice: Have a teammate cross the ball high to practice judging the landing point and executing the shot.
Live kicks: Goalkeepers practicing live kicks is a very effective exercise for honing this volley technique.

3. Improve strength and balance:

Strengthen your core muscles: Perform exercises like planks and crunches to stabilize your body and strengthen your abdominal muscles, helping to generate more power for your shot.
Practice balancing on one leg: Stand on your supporting leg, maintain balance, then try swinging your leg without the ball.
Leg strengthening exercises: Perform squats and lunges to increase strength in the thigh and hip muscles, creating a foundation for powerful shots.

Common mistakes when taking volleys

Identifying and correcting common mistakes will significantly improve your shooting power and accuracy.

Common Errors	Symptoms/Causes	How to Fix It
1. The support leg is placed in the wrong position.	The supporting foot is too close to the ball: the ball is likely to go low or over the crossbar. The supporting foot is too far from the ball: the ball will fly high but lack power.	Practice placing stakes/markers at the ideal foot placement to develop a natural reflex. Place your foot firmly and correctly in the correct position.
2. Ankle not fixed (No ankle locking)	Loose ankles can cause the force of a shot to be dispersed, resulting in the ball not flying as powerfully as intended. This increases the risk of ankle injury.	Tighten your ankle before contact with the ball, keeping your foot and lower leg as a solid unit. Straighten the top of your foot.
3. Excessive movements/Incorrect leg swings	Shooting with the toe (toe-poke). The lower leg lacks spring from the knee joint. Excessive manipulation or cutting down too quickly when the ball arrives easily leads to missing the ball or the ball spinning unintentionally.	Imagine using your knee joint as a hinge to practice flexion and extension. Focus on the mindset of catching the ball to minimize unnecessary movements.
4. Loss of balance	Falling backward or leaning to one side immediately after shooting.	Strengthen your core muscles and practice balancing on one leg. Extend your arms moderately to support your balance.
5. Stop moving your legs.	The striker stops immediately after contact with the ball, not swinging it completely along its natural trajectory. This results in a shot lacking power and with an unstable trajectory.	Practice swinging with momentum, as if you were kicking through the ball instead of just lightly touching it.
6. Misjudging the timing	Misjudging the ball's landing point.	Practice with aerial ball drills and improve your reflexes to handle different situations.

In summary: The volley technique is not just about muscle strength, but also about precise technique, decisiveness (because a moment's hesitation will send the ball flying), and harmonious full-body coordination. Consistent practice and overcoming weaknesses will help you master powerful volleys.

The historic masterpieces of Volley

Marco Van Basten (Netherlands - Soviet Union, Euro 1988 final): This moment of genius is considered the first legendary volley that fans remember.
Zinedine Zidane (Real Madrid - Leverkusen, 2002 Champions League final): This volley was considered perfect both visually and symbolically, helping Real Madrid win the cup.
Robin Van Persie: Famous for many spectacular volleys, notably the goal against Charlton (2006) and a goal in a hat-trick against Aston Villa (2013), which helped MU win the Premier League.
Paul Scholes: Also a prolific goalscorer, with two powerful shots against Bradford (2001) and Aston Villa (2006), embodying strength, technique, and decisiveness.
Tony Yeboah (Leeds - Liverpool, 1995, Premier League): A shot that was hailed by the English media as truly spectacular.
Wayne Rooney (MU - Newcastle, 2005, Premier League): A thunderous shot that was almost unstoppable.
Maxi Rodriguez (Argentina - Mexico, World Cup 2006): A stunning goal in the Round of 16.
Thierry Henry (Arsenal - MU, 2000): An unforgettable moment of world-class skill.
Peter Crouch (Stoke City - Man City, 2012): Crouch's powerful volley left goalkeeper Joe Hart frustrated.
Other players: In addition, there are also spectacular goals such as Cristiano Ronaldo's reverse volley (2018) and Quang Hai's volley (vs Malaysia, 2022).

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/sut-vo-le-volley-la-gi-2466613.html