half volley
Plural
half volleys
1
a tennis shot where the player hits the ball immediately after it bounces, close to the ground
A half volley in tennis is a type of shot where the player hits the ball immediately after it bounces, usually when it is very close to the ground. The player must strike the ball just as it rises from the bounce, often with a quick reaction. This shot is typically used when the ball is coming at the player with speed or when there is little time to prepare for a full swing. It requires good timing and control to prevent the ball from going too high or too low.
- He executed a perfect half volley to win the point.
- Her half volley caught her opponent off guard.
- A good half volley can neutralize a fast-paced return.
- He was praised for his quick reflexes on the half volley.
- Her opponent was surprised by the accuracy of her half volley.
2
(cricket) a ball that bounces just in front of the batsman, making it challenging to play
A half volley in cricket is a type of delivery where the ball bounces just in front of the batter, typically hitting the ground right before reaching them. It is a ball that comes at the batter at a low height, but not as low as a full-length delivery. The batter has a good chance of hitting the ball, as it is not too high or too low. A half volley can be easy to play, and batters often try to drive the ball with power when faced with this kind of delivery.
- The bowler delivered a tricky half volley that the batsman struggled to defend.
- He timed the half volley perfectly and drove it through the covers for four.
- The batsman leaned forward to block the half volley with a straight bat.
- It was a clever tactic to bowl a series of half volleys to induce a false shot.
- The half volley rose sharply off the pitch, surprising the batsman.