Volley

THE VOLLEY training includes 3 short videos covering the volleys you will need to master to optimize your game.

1. The Drop Volley
2. The Roll Volley
3. The Punch Volley

You can do them all in one sitting or break them up. Either works. I prefer to do in one sitting as in a game you will using all three. 

DROP VOLLEY

 The drop volley takes pace off of your opponent’s shot and drops the ball just back over to the other side of the net. When you use this shot correctly, it catches your opponents off guard and wins the rally in your favor.

 Focus points

1: The Set Up: You are at the net, your opponent is back near the baseline.

 2: The Anticipation: Look for a shot that is slightly higher and if it’s a drive, one that you can handle. If your opponent hits a high third shot, you want to send the ball back to the baseline to keep them back. 

3: Grip: Soft hands. Grip pressure 3-4. [like a dink] Take your bottom 3 fingers off. 

4: Deception Hold your paddle like you’re going to smash the overhead, but at the last second, drop the ball.

Cue Words: Soft hands, Gentle Drop

ROLL VOLLEY

The roll volley  helps you extend your ability to attack balls that are closer to the net or shots that you would normally reset. 

Adding  topspin  this makes it harder for your opponent to hit off the bounce

When you’re at the net, you can use this shot to become more of a threat by attacking higher shots to keep your opponents back

Lastly, when you get the feel for the shot, you can use it to deceive your opponent by attacking a shot that they think is unattackable.

Pickleball Tips: Mental Mechanics of the Roll Volley

1.  Continental Grip.
2. Don’t dance around. Keep your movement minimal.
3.  Let the ball float above the net. Not alot of pace. 
4. Get low – bend your knees, keep legs stable. 
5. Drop Paddle and accelerate low to high. [Think Frisbee] 
6. Be unpredictable

Cue Words: Stay still, Frisbee

PUNCH VOLLEY

The punch volley is a shot you can use when you’re at the net to punch the ball out of the air with a compact motion and a semi open paddle. It’s not an overhead but it’s also not a rolling volley.

The pickleball volley can help you attack better on your fourth shot, putting pressure on your opponents. It can be used as a counter attack during speed ups. And it’s the building block for rolling volleys.

1. Anticipation: paddle up in the ready position 
2. Timing: too early or too late could mean an out ball or a ball in the net.
3. Get comfortable: Don’t get jammed and don’t overextend.
4. Contact make a compact punch. Your wrist is stable and you will punch through the ball. This isn’t a powerful swing or one where you’re cutting the ball, but just 6 to 12 inches of a punch.Your paddle will do the majority of the work.

Cue Words; Swift, Short, Punch