volleying
Returning before bouncing
Volleying is hitting or returning something before it touches the ground.
In tennis, a volley is struck without letting the ball bounce; in soccer, a volleyed shot meets the ball in midair.
The word extends to rapid exchanges: They were volleying insults across the table.
Gunfire delivered in volleys comes in simultaneous bursts.
Simultaneous weapons discharge
- fusilladeRapid series of shots
- bombardmentSustained projectile assault
- hailIcy precipitation pellets
- burstBreak apart suddenly
flurry · torrent · onslaught · storm · cascade · rapid-fire · successive · continuous
Alternating reciprocal motion
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
- reparteeQuick, clever conversation
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- retortQuick, cutting reply
comeback · sparring · debate · quip · riposte · rapid-fire · interchange · crosstalk
High-arcing throw or hit
- smashBreak violently apart
- backhandRacket stroke across body
- forehandPalm-outward racket stroke
- serveAttend to needs
baseline · netplay · dropshot · slice · topspin · groundstroke · crosscourt · overhead
Art of choosing moments
- reflexesAutomatic physical responses
- hand-eyeVision-movement synchronization
- anticipationState of awaiting something
- footworkSkilled lower-limb movement
positioning · tracking · readiness · touch · feel · instinct · adjustment · recovery
salvo
Simultaneous weapons discharge
- fusilladeRapid series of shots
- bombardmentSustained projectile assault
- hailIcy precipitation pellets
burst · flurry · torrent · onslaught · storm · cascade · rapid-fire · successive · continuous · unrelenting
back-and-forth
Alternating reciprocal motion
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
- reparteeQuick, clever conversation
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
retort · comeback · sparring · debate · quip · riposte · rapid-fire · interchange · crosstalk · give-and-take
lob
High-arcing throw or hit
serve · baseline · netplay · dropshot · slice · topspin · groundstroke · crosscourt · overhead · return
timing
Art of choosing moments
- reflexesAutomatic physical responses
- hand-eyeVision-movement synchronization
- anticipationState of awaiting something
footwork · positioning · tracking · readiness · touch · feel · instinct · adjustment · recovery · preparation
- sports movesdunk, layup, dink, spike, serve
- ball skillsdribbling, crossover, ball control, stepover, throwing
- soccer skillsdribbling, first touch, trapping, receiving, close control
- soccer techniquesfree kick, corner kick, penalty spot, goal kick, throw-in
- playing techniquespicking, arpeggiated, fingerpicking, spiccato, block chords
- athleticsrunning, basketball, jumping, football, sprinting
volleyinggroundstrokes
Post-bounce tennis swings
baselining · staying back · lobbing · defensive play · pushing
volley, volleyball, volleys, volleyed, volleyballs, volleyer, volleyers, beach volleyball, half-volley