ART-690: The Volley Against the Return with Body Height — Handling Mid-Chest Returns
Executive Summary
Returns hit at body height (mid-chest) are among the most common in doubles because they are the natural height for a compact return swing. When you are the net player facing a body-height return, you must hold the racket in front of your body, use the block volley, and redirect the ball to the open court. The body-height return is the standard situation that net players face most frequently.
The Body-Height Return
The body-height return: (1) is hit at mid-chest height, (2) is the most common return in doubles, (3) is hit with moderate pace. At the net, the body-height return is manageable with the standard block volley technique — hold the racket in front, block, and redirect.
Technique for Handling Body-Height Returns
Against body-height returns: (1) hold the racket in front of your body at chest height, (2) use the block volley (absorb pace, redirect), (3) use a firm wrist, (4) redirect cross-court or down-the-line, (5) aim for the open court. The key is to hold the racket in front and block — the body-height return is the standard block volley situation.
Common Errors
Holding the racket too low (slow reaction). Swinging at the ball (no time for a swing). Not using the block volley (the standard technique for this situation). Not redirecting to the open court (hitting to the opponent's strength).
Summary
Body-height returns are the standard block volley situation. Hold the racket in front, block the ball, and redirect to the open court.
Diagnostic & Training Matrix
| Observation | Failure | Result | Corrective Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Racket not in front | Holding racket too low | Slow reaction | Hold racket in front at chest height |
| Swings at body-height returns | No block technique | Late contact | Use block volley, no swing |
| Does not redirect to open court | Hitting to opponent's strength | Strong return | Aim for open court |
| Wrist breaks on body-height returns | Grip too soft | Erratic direction | Firm wrist, increase grip pressure |
Practical Application: "Racket in Front, Block, Redirect"
Against body-height returns: (1) hold the racket in front, (2) block the ball, (3) redirect to the open court. This is the standard block volley — master it.