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.
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.
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Continental grip. Use the continental grip for good control and power.
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Be patient. Observe your opponent’s playing styles and wait for the right moment to volley.
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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.
| Key Takeaway | Detail |
|---|---|
| Definition | Hitting the ball before it bounces, only allowed outside the non-volley zone (NVZ). |
| Types | Forehand, backhand, two-hand, dink, lob, smash |
| Best Times | Returning deep shots, controlling the net, anticipating weak returns |
| Rules | Cannot be performed inside the NVZ, cannot touch the NVZ while volleying, must let the ball bounce once after a serve or return of serve. |
| Tips | Stay near the net, push the ball up, don't wait too long, maintain a balanced stance, use a continental grip, be patient, mix it up, practice. |
| Drills | Wall volley, partner drills |
| Best Paddles | 101 Pickleball Zen Control (for control), 101 Pickleball Infinity Balance (for power) |
| Contact | For more information or inquiries, email 101grouppb@gmail.com. |
Essential FAQs for Mastering Pickleball Volleys
1. What is a Pickleball Volley and Why is it Important?
A pickleball volley is a shot where the ball is hit before it bounces. This shot is essential because it allows players to maintain control of the net, apply pressure on opponents, and control the pace of the game. Volleys can be aggressive or soft, depending on the situation, making them a versatile tool for both offensive and defensive play.
2. What is the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ) and How Does It Affect Volleys?
The non-volley zone, also known as "the kitchen," is a 7-foot area on both sides of the net where players cannot volley the ball. This rule prevents players from having an unfair advantage by being too close to the net, which encourages strategic shot placement and movement. Volleys are only allowed outside the NVZ, and stepping into the zone during a volley results in a fault.
3. What Are the Different Types of Pickleball Volleys?
Pickleball volleys come in various forms, each serving a unique purpose during a match. The main types include:
- Forehand Volley: Hit with the front of the paddle, the most common and powerful shot.
- Backhand Volley: Struck with the back of the paddle, useful for quick defensive returns.
- Two-Hand Volley: Increases control and stability, ideal for beginners or players seeking added precision.
- Dink Volley: A soft, controlled shot aimed at forcing your opponent into difficult positions.
- Lob Volley: A high-arcing shot used to push opponents deep into their court.
- Smash Volley: A powerful, downward shot meant to finish the point.
4. When is the Best Time to Use a Volley in Pickleball?
Volleys should be used strategically in different scenarios:
- Returning a Deep Shot: Use a volley to quickly send the ball back before it lands deep in your court.
- Controlling the Net: Whoever controls the net usually controls the game, and volleys are a great tool to maintain this dominance.
- Anticipating a Weak Return: If you sense your opponent will deliver a weak shot, positioning yourself for a volley can allow you to capitalize and score the point.
5. What Are the Key Rules to Follow When Performing a Volley?
Several critical rules govern volleys in pickleball to ensure fair play:
- No Volleys in the NVZ: Hitting a volley while standing in or stepping into the non-volley zone results in a fault.
- Two-Bounce Rule: After serving, the receiving team must let the ball bounce once, and the serving team must do the same on the third shot. Volleys are only allowed after the ball has bounced twice between the two teams.
- Stepping into the NVZ: You cannot touch the NVZ line while volleying, even if you lose balance afterward.
6. What Are the Best Tips for Hitting a Good Volley in Pickleball?
To master the volley, it’s essential to focus on technique and strategy:
- Stay near the net to react quickly and hit more powerful volleys.
- Push the ball upward rather than hitting it forcefully, which could send it out of bounds.
- Maintain a balanced stance for stability, enabling quick reactions.
- Use a continental grip to maximize control and power.
- Observe your opponent’s tendencies and be patient, waiting for the right moment to strike.
7. How Can You Practice and Improve Your Pickleball Volley?
Practice is essential to improving your pickleball volley skills. Here are some effective drills:
- Wall Volley Drill: Hit the ball against a wall repeatedly to improve your consistency and accuracy.
- Partner Drills: Work with a partner to practice different volley types, testing both offensive and defensive scenarios.
- Footwork Drills: Strengthen your positioning near the net to ensure quick and efficient volleys during fast-paced games.
