volley

Hit before bouncing

A volley is a simultaneous discharge of missiles—arrows, bullets, or stones—or a rapid succession of them: a volley of gunfire.

In tennis and similar sports, a volley is hitting the ball before it bounces: She won the point with a crisp volley at the net.

The word extends to any burst of things coming at once: a volley of questions, a volley of insults.

To volley is to fire or exchange in rapid succession.

barrage

bombardment

Sustained projectile assault

fusilladeRapid series of shots
salvoSimultaneous weapons discharge
cannonadeSustained artillery fire

hail · onslaught · blitz · storm · flurry · broadside · assault · attack · strike · shelling

tennis

groundstroke

Post-bounce court swing

approachWay of handling something
punchStrike with fist
touchPerceiving through physical contact

angle · winner · putaway · racquet · forehand · backhand · overhead · lob · slice · topspin

volleyball

spike

Sharp rise or point

setArrange in position
digUnearth by shoveling
bumpSlight collision or protrusion

pass · kill · block · attack · rally · libero · setter · hitter · rotation · dink

exchange

back-and-forth

Alternating reciprocal motion

banterPlayful, teasing exchange
interplayReciprocal action between things
rapid-fireIn swift succession

retort · riposte · salvo · parry · dialogue · repartee · verbal · questions · insults · quips

throw

launch

Set into motion

dischargeRelease of substance outward
releaseTo let go
fireCombustion with flames

shoot · send · deliver · unleash · rain · shower · loose · pepper · spray · hurl

Categories

strokesbackstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, crawl, freestyle
ball skillsdribbling, crossover, ball control, stepover, throwing
volleys
Soccergoal, soccer, pass, football, goalkeeper
tennisace, serve, forehand, backhand, lob
racket sportsserve, forehand, backhand, doubles, singles

Opposites

ball contact timing in racquet sports

volleygroundstroke

Post-bounce court swing

bounce shot · half-volley · lob

projectile release pattern

Thin, slow stream

single shot · drip · dribble · silence · potshot

Phrases

beach volleyballSand court net sport
beach volleyball playerSeaside net sport competitor
volleyball courtRectangular net-divided playing area
volleyball netMesh dividing playing court
volleyball teamGroup playing net sport
volleyball gameNet sport competition

Family

volleyball, volleys, volleying, volleyed, volleyballs, volleyer, volleyers, volleyballer, volleyballers

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G