When playing a variety of paddle sports, such as pickleball, volleying is a great move that is especially successful if done right.
Even if you haven’t seen a volley yourself, there is a considerable chance that you have overheard a player mention one, and you have most likely observed one in motion without realizing it.
They’re very popular, but also possibly the hardest shots to get right in today’s game, so read on if you want to learn what exactly this move is when the best time to use it is, and how to master it.
What Is A Volley?
When playing pickleball, you must return the ball to your opponent’s side without allowing it hit the court’s surface while doing so.
After each serve, you must allow the ball to bounce just once on either side of the court before attempting to volley.
Also, you must keep both feet outside the non-volley zone (NVZ) at all times.
When Is The Best Time To Volley?
The volley is a great stroke to have in your pickleball armory since it is so versatile. It is more difficult to win points at the net if you are constantly ready to volley, but it is possible to get more points if you are always ready to volley during volley the game.
The use of the more well-known two-bounce rule can cause a match to devolve into a high-octane back-and-forth volley duel.
If hit too high, be careful that your opponent doesn’t try an overhead smash on you.
If you’re playing pickleball, what is the best time to try a volley move? Here are the many scenarios where you can break out this move.
- When you are at the kitchen line, the opponent might play a dink over to you. Here you should volley. This is the number one rule in pickleball. If you can hit the dink back, without allowing the ball to bounce, then you should always do it without hesitation. If you have the opportunity to hit the ball before it hits the floor and bounces, go for it!
- A volley is a fantastic move if you aim to draw your opponent closer towards you and the net. The vast majority of players volley just outside the NVZ. Given the difficulty of volleying from the far back, your opponent will most likely come closer if you begin volleying consistently.
- You should aim to be in command of the game’s tempo. Volleying is a great method to get the game moving on the net and to make it more exciting for everyone. Most volleys by net are quick shots that are aimed at the opponent’s body or feet, forcing them into a harder return shot.
- You may use volleys to keep the game from becoming chaotic. You may slow the game down to some extent if someone is sprinting about while also shooting the ball everywhere. Light, short, volleying is an excellent way to achieve this.
- With a soft volley and an added backspin, you may slow down the velocity of the ball, which forces your rival to either allow the ball bounce or try a volley move from just beyond the No-Void Zone.
- If you elect to volley, you will immediately have an understanding of your opponent’s skill level, which is especially important by the net. Hitting volleys to and from you and your opponent demand lightning-fast reactions and tremendous speed. If your opponent cannot keep up, you have identified a weakness in their approach that you can exploit.
There are a variety of situations in which you might consider volleying your shot. Volleying is a very important aspect of the game of pickleball, even if it is not required on every play.
How To Volley Perfectly
There are many types of volleys in this game, including catch, dink, push, roll, and reactive volleys. Every move has a specific purpose, so be sure to know which is the best to utilize when the scenario requires it.
Reactive – It’s a quick tap used when responding to a hit.
Push Volley – enables you to drive and guide the ball with considerable force and precision to a precise location on the court area.
Roll Volley – used to spin the ball and force it to fall with either backspin or topspin.
Catch Volleys – these let you catch and hit the ball on the paddle face for a brief moment, so decreasing the stroke’s pace.
Here is how to improve your volleys.
- Always keep the ball under control. Unless you are completing a reactive volley, make sure you have control over the force and trajectory of the ball at your disposal. Consider if you want to volley near to you, far away from you, right or left.
- Slow the ball’s movement down by practicing volleys that will return hard-hit strokes to the ball. Allow someone to take shots aimed at you while you’re at the kitchen line, and also practice volleys that slow the ball down to enhance your technique.
- If you are playing doubles, any type of volley should be targeted directly at the opponent’s center. This forces the opponent to decide on who has possession of the ball. In most circumstances, hesitating earns you a point.
- Avoid overstretching your arm. To maintain control, it is critical to stop swinging once your arm is stretched, ensuring as well that you are not locking your elbow. Additionally, if you’re trying to do a reactive volley, avoid excessive wrist flicking.
- Recognize the distinction between a soft and a hard strike. While powerful smashes send the ball flying, gentle hits keep your opponent close to the net. However, as the light rises, the probability of a catch or roll volley increases, so prepare for everything.
- Before volleying, pickleball players should place their feet. As you might think, your major locus of movement is your feet. Volleying while standing on one leg or while sprinting is exceedingly difficult. Maintain a solid stance as much as possible before tapping or rolling the ball back to the other side of the court.
Summary
Volleying is an essential part of pickleball. It keeps the ball off your side of the court and prevents your opponent from developing an excessive amount of comfort.
Additionally, it’s an excellent way to rack up quick points. If you can master this move you will become a pickleball pro in no time.