It’s a pretty simple game to pick up with relatively straightforward gameplay and a family-friendly playing style.
Yet there are a couple of important pieces of information you must have before you can play a true game of pickleball. One of these is what a volley is in a game of pickleball, and how it works.
If you want to learn more about what a volley is in pickleball, this article will provide you with all the information you need in one place.
Let’s get started!
A Volley In Pickleball: The Basics
If you’ve asked yourself “what is a volley in pickleball?” but don’t have any sort of answer, you’ve come to the right place! We’ll provide a brief explanation below.
A pickleball volley is a type of shot (Check out another shot type- the Bert here) that must be taken without the ball ever touching the ground. This means the ball must be hit out of the air and back to an opponent before it can strike the court.
The shot should have a pretty low to medium trajectory and must also be far slower than other types of hits.
Yet during a round of volleys, where you and any opponents are hitting volleys back and forth, the pacing of the game can be quicker and almost chaotic.
Where Can Pickleball Volleys Take Place?
A volley is only permitted in the non-volley zone of the pickleball court, just after the area where the kitchen can be found. If a volley occurs anywhere else, including the kitchen, it will be considered a fault.
Types Of Volley
There are a few different types of volleys that you must know of when it comes to playing a game of pickleball. Below, we’ve included these names and a brief description of what they are, and how they work.
Dink Volley: this volleying is a type of finessed, tipping shot (also known as a “dink” shot). It is executed by blocking, pushing, and lifting the pickleball before bouncing it back to any open gaps on the court of the opponents also playing in the game.
Drop Volley: commonly called a reset or block volley, this move is used if a pickleball player wants to reset the point where opponents hit the ball at the player by landing it gently over the net.
Punch Volley: one of the more common types of volley in a game of pickleball. This is a type of hit with a paddle that is perpendicular to the pickleball court, and should be open slightly in a forward motion – a “punch.” Players must extend their arm forward from the elbow to execute this move.
Roll Volley: this topspin or roll volley is a firm, half-swinging volley that involves a forward-spinning motion for the ball, resulting in it dropping and propelling forward after the bounce.
When To Volley In Pickleball
The volley is an excellent move to have in your arsenal when it comes to playing pickleball.
If you are prepared to make a volley, you will be positioning yourself to win more points in a single game. This is because more points are both won and lost at the net.
Here are some instances where you may want to consider making a volley:
To bring your opponent closer to the net
To control the pace of the game of pickleball
To drastically reduce any chaotic playing styles
Hitting a dink without allowing the ball to bounce
How To Improve Your Pickleball Volley
We have a few key tips to keep in mind if you’re looking to improve your pickleball volley the next time you play.
Stay Low
You must stay low and remain in an almost squatting position with bent knees and the majority of your weight resting on your toes.
A lower sense of gravity will provide more control and power over the shots that you make and a quicker reaction time.
Keep Your Eyes Trained On The Ball
This one may seem obvious but it could make a world of difference to the way you play! You must keep your eyes on the ball for the duration of your volley.
Not only will it help you to follow the ball but it means you can limit the number of errant shots that you make, hopefully putting you in with a chance of coming out on top during your game.
Consider Your Foot Position
Your feet should be situated shoulder-width apart when you volley.
This gives you a stronger core and will also help you to remain balanced as you make your shot. You can also fluidly step back when needed and shuffle left and right.
Adjust When Necessary
Even if volleys take longer than a few seconds to perform, they’re still far more short-lived than other pickleball moves.
If your opponent makes a mistake or tries to hit the ball way over your head, you need to have your head in the game and react accordingly.
Your goal is not to continue the volley but to score the highest amount of points. If any sort of opportunity presents itself to you, make sure that you seize the chance to score!
Make Sure To Practice
The experience of volleying during a match will be useful but it is the time and effort that you put into practicing the game that will make a difference.
Practice with a partner or against a wall if you are by yourself. Focus on developing your ability to slip into the flow of a volley so that you are not caught off guard if and when it occurs to you in real time.
Summary
After reading through this information, we hope you now have a much better understanding of what a volley is in pickleball and how it works!
Remember: volleys are all about scoring points rather than seeing who can hit the ball back and forth the most.
Pickleball has been played for decades, and it is a great way to let off some steam, engage in friendly competition, and improve your fitness levels.
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