Volley (association football)

A volley is an air-borne strike of a football. A volley covers considerable height and is extremely hard to aim.

In attacking position, the volley can play a crucial role in scoring straight goals. Volleys are used often when the goalkeeper is not focused as such and is relatively far from the goalline. There are 3 attacking volleys used, the drill and volley and the bicycle kick.

The drill is used as a close distance volley from corner kicks and free kicks. It is extremely high speed and carries strong spin so its not reasonably accurate. Theirry Henry scored a drill off a free kick against Brazil in the quarter-finals of the 2006 World Cup.

The volley is used from a moderate position- 15 to 30 metres away from goals. It is used when the goalkeeper is outside of the box. A slight kick at the ball makes it shift slightly above the goalkeeper. The goalkeeper, like most players is much slower running backwards. The goalkeeper has the odd occasion to trip, rather humiliating in some instances. The ball gently bounces in the goal. Joe Cole scored against Sweden in the 2006 World Cup.

The bicycle kick, has its name engraved as both a freestyle trick and a volley upon history. As a volley close the goals, the attacking player turns away from the goal. With the ball in air, the player jumps backwards, doing a scissor kick to astound players and hopefully score a goal. The player drops on his/her back, and injury to the spine is a slight possibility. A famous bicycle kick was given from Pelé.

In defense the volley is generally used for time-saving and tactical formation. In the case of a counter-attack by an attacking team, hard high volleys are used, for defense awareness and position.