Volleys and Half-Volleys
The volley and half-volley are finishing techniques that separate technically complete players from good ones.
◆Why this drill works
The volley and half-volley are finishing techniques that separate technically complete players from good ones. Most grassroots players over 13 can finish from a ground pass but struggle with any ball above knee height. This drill builds both techniques through progressive service: controlled first, then genuinely varied, so players build the technique before being asked to make split-second decisions about it. The half-volley in particular demands precise timing of contact at the exact bounce point, a skill that most players have never had isolated for them specifically and instead pick up haphazardly through match experience. Introducing crosses partway through the session bridges the gap between isolated technical repetition and the split-second decision-making a match actually demands, where the player must identify height, spin, and pace all at once before choosing volley, half-volley, or control-and-shoot.
◇Variations and progressions
- Weak-foot block — dedicate a full block of reps to the non-dominant foot, since volleying technique is rarely practised evenly across both feet.
- Rebound follow-up — after every volley attempt, the striker must react to a rebound off a wall or board and finish again.
- Defended volley — add a passive defender to the crossing phase so the striker must time their run and contact under real pressure.
- Competitive tally — score points for clean technical execution rather than just goals, rewarding correct contact even on shots that miss.
▦The drill in three phases
▶How to run it
- Server stands 6 yards from shooter. Serves underarm to knee height. Shooter volleys. First 5 reps: dominant foot, knee height only.
- Progress to thigh height. Striker still volleys — contact through bottom half of ball.
- Half-volley: server drops ball from waist height. Shooter contacts ball at exact bounce point.
- From crosses: wide player delivers low cross from 15 yards. Striker volleys or half-volleys at first touch.
- Final: rapid fire from server — mix of heights. Striker identifies volley vs half-volley vs control-and-shoot in real time.
✦Coaching points
Praise when you see
- Quick release before the defender or keeper sets
- Body over the ball to keep the shot down
- Correct contact point identified instantly regardless of serve height
Correct when you see
- Always going for power — placement beats power near goal
- Taking an extra touch when the shot was on — be decisive
- Standing and watching instead of following in for the rebound
- Half-volleying too early or late, missing the exact bounce point
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