It's estimated that a pro pickleball player can volley a ball at over 80 mph. While the average player might not face speeds that fast, it's still important to learn how to handle a little heat.
After all, there's no need to be afraid of an aggressive volley when you can return it with even more spice.
Pro pickleball player Catherine Parenteau has some tips for volleying at the kitchen line, where the fastest balls happen in pickleball.
Check out her video and our full explanation below, and subscribe to Catherine's YouTube channel.
Ready Yourself for the Pickleball Volley
The ideal ready position when you're at the kitchen line involves keeping your paddle aimed towards the imaginary "11 o'clock" if you are right handed and towards "1 o'clock" if you are left handed.
In other words, you're keeping your paddle slightly tilted toward your backhand.
You want your ready position to slightly favor your backhand. If a ball is coming right for your body, it is easier to defend with your backhand volley than your forehand volley, at least for most people.
Make sure to return to this position between every shot while you're volleying at the kitchen line.
Other Important Tips for Volleys
Your follow through should not be too long. You want your swings to be short and compact.
Having swings that are short and compact allows you to be accurate with your contact point, which generates more power on your volleys and allows you to be ready for the following volleys.
If your swings are too long, you will not have enough time to get back to your ready position in between volleys.
You want to think of your volleys as high fives: short and sweet!
Lastly, think of grip tension as a 6 to 7 out of 10.
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