Mastering the Air Game: Pickleball Volley

If you’ve been playing pickleball for a while now, you’ll know that there are many pickleball shots from beginner to advanced. There are shots that you need to master to play the game properly, whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced. One of these shots is the pickleball volley.

In this blog, we will discuss the following:

• What is a Pickleball Volley?
• Non-Volley Zone in Pickleball
• Types of Pickleball Volley
• Forehand Pickleball Volley
• Backhand Pickleball Volley
• Two-Hand Pickleball Volley
• Dink Volley
• Lob Volley
• Smash Volley
• When is the Best Time to Do a Volley in Pickleball?
• Returning a Deep Shot
• Controlling the Net
• Anticipating a Weak Return
• When Can't You Do a Pickleball Volley?
• Standing on the Non-Volley Zone in Pickleball
• Return of Serve and Third Shot
• Tips on Hitting a Good Volley in Pickleball
• Drills to Improve Your Pickleball Volley
• Wall Volley
• Partner Drills
• Best Pickleball Paddles to Use for a Pickleball Volley
• 101 Pickleball Zen Control
• 101 Pickleball Infinity Balance

What is a Pickleball Volley?

A volley in pickleball happens when you hit the ball without letting it bounce first or while it’s still in the air. A pickleball volley is an important shot you have to master and it requires power, control, and precision.

via GIPHY

Non-Volley Zone in Pickleball

The non-volley zone in pickleball, also called NVZ or kitchen, is the 7-foot space on each side of the net in a pickleball court. You can’t do volleys in the non-volley zone in pickleball. This is to prevent any disadvantage from either team and encourage the players to strategize more. Doing a volley inside the non-volley zone in a pickleball court will result in a fault and the serve will go to the other team.

Types of Pickleball Volley

Forehand Pickleball Volley

The forehand volley in pickleball is the most common type of volley. This is done by hitting the ball upward with the front side of your paddle.

Backhand Pickleball Volley

The backhand volley in pickleball is also a common type of volley. When doing this shot, you will bring your dominant hand (the one holding the paddle) across your body and hit the ball with the back side of your paddle. 

Two-Hand Pickleball Volley

The two-hand volley in pickleball is when you hit the ball with two hands for added control and power.

Dink Volley

The dink volley in pickleball is a soft shot with a low trajectory. This is usually used if you’re trying to push your opponent back.

Lob Volley

The lob volley in pickleball is a high, arcing shot that goes deep into your opponent’s court. The point of this shot is to make your opponent reach or run for the ball.

Smash Volley

The smash volley in pickleball is a powerful shot that is hit downwards.

When is the Best Time to Do a Volley in Pickleball?

Returning a Deep Shot

When your opponent is trying to send the ball deep into your court, the pickleball volley is a great shot to prevent it.

Strategy:

Position yourself near the net. Once the ball is on your side of the court, but outside the non-volley zone, reach for the ball and hit it back. 

Controlling the Net

The volley in pickleball is also best used when preventing your opponent from controlling the net. Like the saying in pickleball, whoever controls the net controls the game.

You can also use the volley to put pressure on your opponent and force them to make a mistake.

Strategy:

To control the net, use soft volleys. Aim for your opponent’s non-volley zone to make it harder for them to return your shot.

To attack your opponent, use powerful volleys and aim deep to make them run for the ball. Try to hit their backhand side to make it harder for them to return. 

Anticipating a Weak Return

The volley in pickleball is also a good shot when anticipating a weak return from your opponent. But, how do you anticipate a weak return? 

• Watch and observe your opponent. They have habits or styles that you'll see while playing. Use it against them.
• Are they getting tired? Look for signs like slowing down, making errors, and getting frustrated. 
• Close scores between your teams. They may likely take risks if your scores are close for a chance of scoring.

Strategy:

When you're anticipating a weak return from your opponent, get ready to volley the ball aggressively. 

When Can't You Do a Pickleball Volley? 

Standing on the Non-Volley Zone in Pickleball

As mentioned, you can't volley while inside the NVZ.

What if I'm outside, but my feet touch the line? 

Yeah, that's a fault too. You or anything you're touching, even your opponent, can't touch the NVZ or even just the line when you're doing a volley.

What if I was outside the NVZ but accidentally stepped on it after hitting a volley? That's fine, right? 

Nope. If the force of hitting a volley sent you to the NVZ, it's still a fault. There may be a loophole in that, but that depends on the referee. If after you hit a volley, you were able to get back on a ready position and then lost your balance towards the NVZ, they MAY consider it as not a fault. 

Return of Serve and Third Shot

There's this important thing in pickleball called the two-bounce rule. After serving in pickleball, your opponent has to let the ball bounce first before hitting it. When doing a third shot in pickleball, you also have to let the ball bounce first before hitting it. The purpose of the two-bounce rule is to avoid having an unfair advantage against your opponent.

Tips on Hitting a Good Volley in Pickleball

• Stay near the net. This is so you can react quickly and hit more powerful volleys. Push your opponent back and make them reach for the ball. Don’t let them push you back and gain an advantage.
• Push the ball up, don’t hit them forcefully. You might end up hitting the ball towards the net, outside the lines, or right into your opponent’s strike zone.
• Don’t wait until the ball is too close to your body before hitting it. If you do it this way, you’ll lose the good angle that the ball will go through. This will cause the ball to go directly into your opponent. Reach out and hit the ball so that the ball will land in the kitchen.
• Maintain a balanced stance. This provides stability and lets you adjust your positions quickly.

• Continental grip. Use the continental grip for good control and power.

• Be patient. Observe your opponent’s playing styles and wait for the right moment to volley.

• Mix it up. Use different styles and keep your opponent guessing.

• Practice. Practice. Practice. This is how you can improve your volleys. Try different drills to practice.

Drills to Improve Your Pickleball Volley

Wall Volley

If you have no one to practice with and want to improve your volleying skills, you can practice with a wall. Volleying against the wall can improve your accuracy and consistency.

Partner Drills

If you have someone to practice with, it would be much better. You can try different scenarios and both of you can improve your skills together.

Best Pickleball Paddles to Use for a Pickleball Volley

101 Pickleball Zen Control

The 101 Pickleball Zen Control paddle is best for controlled volleys. If you’re trying to perfect hitting your volleys toward your opponent’s kitchen or deep into their court, this is the best control pickleball paddle for you.

101 Pickleball Infinity Balance

The 101 Pickleball Infinity Balance is the best power pickleball paddle, perfect for hitting aggressive volleys that would disrupt your opponent’s rhythm.

Buy 101 Pickleball Zen Control and Infinity Balance now to perfect your volleys in the court!

The volley is a common shot that’s usually used in pickleball. You can do a volley wherever you are inside the court, except in the non-volley zone. This shot is for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players. You can easily learn this shot, but it can be harder to master as it requires control and accuracy.