A “volley” in pickleball is a shot you hit out of the air before it bounces. As a refresher, remember that according to the Pickleball Official Rulebook, it is illegal to hit a volley while in the kitchen, and you also cannot end up in the kitchen as a result of your momentum from hitting a volley outside the kitchen. Also remember that the kitchen line is part of the kitchen, so make sure that when you are hitting volleys, you are standing behind the kitchen line.
Having said all that, let’s discuss some tips to help you hit more effective volleys:
- Stand as close as possible to the kitchen line (without actually touching or crossing it) when hitting volleys to be as aggressive and put as much pressure on your opponents as you can.
- Make sure to wait for volleys in “ready position.” There are differing opinions about what constitutes ready position. Some players prefer to hold their paddle in front of them in a neutral position, straight out and on edge. Others prefer to hold their paddle out in front of the middle of their stomach/chest area in a backhand default position, with their paddle perpendicular to the ground. Still other players prefer a paddle position that is somewhere in between these two positions. Just be sure to choose a consistent paddle position that entails having your paddle out in front of your body in a way that ensures you will be ready for any type of volley that comes your way!
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. This keeps you balanced, but not so balanced that you don’t want to move, if necessary!
- Keep your shoulders square with the net and keep your chest facing the net. Don’t turn to the side when hitting volleys.
- Keep your knees slightly bent. This has many consequences, not the least of which is that it takes strain off your back. Another interesting consequence of doing this is that even low volleys seem popped up, so you will want to be more aggressive when hitting them!
- Hit volleys from the shoulders/biceps, which are more powerful, instead of the forearms and wrists, which are weaker.
- Do not take a big backswing before hitting a volley.
- Be sure to hit the ball out in front of you. This will ensure you have more power and control over your shots.
- Use a continental grip. The continental grip was called the “hammer grip” for many years, because it entails holding your paddle as if you were gripping a hammer. Holding your paddle in this manner ensures you will have the same amount of wrist strength for both forehands and backhands.
- Use a firm grip for hitting hard, deep volleys, and a lighter, looser grip for hitting softer volleys. Mix up how hard your hit your volleys to keep your opponents guessing (and running)!
- Keep your bodyweight on the balls of your feet.
- Keep your feet still while hitting your volleys. This will give you a solid base of support to hit from.
- If you need to move to get to a ball before hitting it, side shuffle laterally on the front balls of your feet.
- Place your volleys with intention! Aim them at your opponents’ feet, your opponents’ backhands, in between them, and also consider using angles.
- Remember to hit out and down, not just down, so as to avoid hitting volleys into the net.
- Practice hitting volleys against a wall when you are not playing games. This will improve your reaction time.
Happy pickling!
