A volley is usually used on your own side of the court, however it can be used in an offensive way to send the ball over the net to the oppositions side of the court. There are strict rules in order to use a volley as an offensive play. In order for a volley over the net to count: 1. It must not be a double. 2. The ball must travel perpendicular to the line drawn by your shoulders. It can be played forward or backwards as long as the ball travels in a straight line that is perpendicular to the line between your shoulders.