TacticsCoachesPlayers
Stages:

Serve-and-volley

Following the serve straight to the net to finish with a volley.
Say it on court
“Serve, split at the service line, volley.”
Recommended for junior development: Green, Yellow (Ages 9–12)ID: serve-and-volley

Related Development Terms

4 connected entries
Game phases
CoachesPlayersParents
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)

Every shot happens in one of three phases, decided by where you and your opponent are: attack, build, or defend. In orange, players work mainly on build and attack, with defence being introduced.

Say it on court

“Are you attacking, building or defending on this ball?”

Attack
PlayersCoaches
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)

The phase where you have the advantage: you're inside the court, your opponent is pushed back or wide, and the ball is high or close to the net.

Say it on court

“Short ball, you're inside the court. Go for it.”

Build
PlayersCoaches
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)

The phase where neither player has the advantage. The goal is to move the opponent and create an opening, without taking big risks.

Say it on court

“Build the point. Wait for the short ball.”

Defence
PlayersCoaches
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)

The phase where your opponent has the advantage. The goal is to get the ball back high and deep to buy time.

Say it on court

“Under pressure? Hit it high and deep and reset.”

More in Tactics for Green

Choosing what to do with the ball.

View all →
Game phases
CoachesPlayersParents
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)

Every shot happens in one of three phases, decided by where you and your opponent are: attack, build, or defend. In orange, players work mainly on build and attack, with defence being introduced.

Say it on court

“Are you attacking, building or defending on this ball?”

Attack
PlayersCoaches
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)

The phase where you have the advantage: you're inside the court, your opponent is pushed back or wide, and the ball is high or close to the net.

Say it on court

“Short ball, you're inside the court. Go for it.”

Build
PlayersCoaches
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)

The phase where neither player has the advantage. The goal is to move the opponent and create an opening, without taking big risks.

Say it on court

“Build the point. Wait for the short ball.”

Defence
PlayersCoaches
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)

The phase where your opponent has the advantage. The goal is to get the ball back high and deep to buy time.

Say it on court

“Under pressure? Hit it high and deep and reset.”

Consistency
PlayersParentsCoaches
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)

Keeping the ball in play over many shots. The first tactical goal at every young stage.

Say it on court

“Win by making one more ball than them.”

Direction
PlayersCoaches
Red (Ages 5–8)
Orange (Ages 7–10)
Green (Ages 9–12)
Yellow (Ages 11+)

Choosing where the ball goes: cross-court or down the line.

Say it on court

“Cross-court is the safe choice.”