Using which technique allows a player to hit the ball before it touches the ground in tennis?

The technique that allows a player to hit the ball before it touches the ground in tennis is the volley. This shot is executed when the player is near the net and intercepts the ball in the air as it approaches, striking it before it bounces on their side of the court. Volleys are crucial for aggressive play and often set up opportunities to win points quickly, especially in doubles matches where positioning at the net is common.

In contrast, the ground stroke is performed after the ball has bounced, making it a different technique that does not fulfill the criteria of hitting the ball before it touches the ground. The slice refers to a type of shot that imparts spin on the ball, and while it can be a ground stroke or a volley, it does not inherently allow for hitting the ball before it bounces. Lastly, a drop shot is a soft shot aimed to land just over the net, usually aimed to make the opponent move forward, but it also requires the ball to bounce before the opponent can respond, meaning it doesn't allow for hitting the ball before it touches the ground.