What is A Volley in Pickleball? All You Need to Know

Pickleball is a sport whose demand has drastically increased in the last few years and is a recreational family sport. It is played highly in the United States but is also played in other regions of the world and holds specific rules and regulations, among which volley is a proper rule for this sport. What is a volley in pickleball?

In pickleball, the volley is when the ball is hit in the air before it bounces to the court during a rally. A player has to hit the ball in the air before the ball hits the ground. Volley is only allowed in the non-volley zone, after the kitchen area. Any volley within the kitchen area is a fault.

Types of Pickleball Volleys:

There are four types of volleys associated with a pickleball game:

1. Punch volley
2. Roll volley
3. Drop volley
4. Dink volley

Punch Volley:

Punch volley is considered one of the most common types of volley in pickleball. Punch volley is a hit with a paddle face perpendicular to the court. The hit should be slightly open in a forward punching motion. While hitting such a volley, a player extends the arm forward from the elbow.

The elbow is used as a hinge in this type. The wrist should remain firm, and the body should remain calm with punch volleys. If you want to hit a volley at the opponent’s feet, then punch volley is an excellent option for that.

Roll Volley:

Roll volleys are executed when the opponents are positioned in their backcourt and the contact point is below the height. They are top-spin half-swinging volleys and frequently occur after the opponents attempt a drop shot. If you are trying to keep the opponents pinned to their baseline, then the option of roll volley is the best one!

Drop Volley:

A drop volley is executed if a player wants to reset the point when opponents bang the ball at the player by landing it softly over the net. It is also called a block or reset volley. Drop volleys require the ability to absorb the ball’s incoming pace and demand a soft grip.

Dink Volley / Volley Dink:

It is a simple act of volleying a kind of dink shot in the opponent’s non-volley zone while positioned at the non-volley line. Taking a dink shot out of the air helps avoid retreating from the non-volley line and provides the opponent less time to react and prepare. Dink volley is executed by blocking, pushing, and lifting the ball before bouncing back.

Types of Volley	Features
Punch volley	It helps to hit the volley at the opponent’s feet and is considered an excellent option.
Roll volley	It helps to keep the opponents pinned to their baseline.
Drop volley	It requires the ability to absorb the ball’s incoming pace and demands a soft grip.
Dink volley	It is executed by blocking, pushing and lifting the ball before bouncing it back.

Ways of Hitting the Volley in Pickleball:

There are two types of hitting a volley in Pickleball. These types are mentioned below.

1. Backhand Volley:

There are many ways to score a backhand volley. The most common and easy way to achieve a backhand volley is to open the paddle face slightly while connecting to the ball.

After that, as the ball leaves the paddle, the player should slice down the ball from the higher position to the lower part. Doing this will cause the ball to spin and probably result in a score. It is the method of scoring a backhand volley. 

2. Forehand Volley:

Another common way to score in this game is by playing a forehand volley. Usually, it is seen that such volleys are either played softly or are played with immense force, which might result in unbalancing the opponent. There is no in-between method to score other than these two.

To properly play a forehand volley, the player's most important thing is that their paddle is well aligned with the court's net. The player's grip at the paddle should be at 45 degrees, and they should ensure they have a firm grip, and while hitting it, it must not become like a jerk off from the wrist. Scoring against the opponent is made easier using this method.

How to Score a Good Volley in PIckleball?

Professional players in all sports usually tip-off to novices or those who wish to pursue that sport as their profession. These tips are also meant for the general public, who usually play sport for healthy recreational purposes. We get to know that professional pickleball players say some essential things that a player should keep in mind during the entire game.

Some of those crucial tips or techniques, which should be in the sense of the players, who wish to score good volleys, are as follows:

1. The Player Should Tip the Paddle:

It means that the tip of the paddle the player is holding should be in the upward direction. That means the angle of the paddle should be made with the wrist of the player, not with their shoulder.

To elaborate on this tip, it is mentioned that this means a “V” shape has to be made between the paddle and the wrist of the player. The paddle must remain up the wrist in this position, while the tip should be pointing towards the ball.

2. Using Elbows:

The player must emphasize using their elbows while making an angle before serving. It means that before the service, whether the player is aiming to serve a forehand or backhand volley, the force and power needed must get generated from the elbow, not from the player’s wrist.

It is observed that when a player draws strength from the wrist only, the shot lacks force, does not reach accurately the way it should. Therefore, to play a clean, clear, forceful, and accurate shot, the player must generate full force using their elbows and the wrist.

3. The Grip On the Paddle:

While aiming for a score against the opponent, the player’s grip over their paddle is essential. The way the player holds the paddle while scoring or aiming determines how effective the volley will be.

Therefore, it is recommended that the players’ fingers adequately grip the paddle instead of resting at their palms only. A firm grip over the paddle ensures a good volley and a clear score against the opponent.

These things and critical points mentioned above are the tips and essential minute details to help a person play this sport more effectively. Similarly, there are some other things, which a player should also keep in mind while playing. Those things are the mistakes that people should avoid while playing. 

Can You Volley in Kitchen in Pickleball?

There is a seven-foot section on either side of the net that is known as the non-volley zone (or NVZ, as shown in the picture). It is also more commonly known as the “kitchen line.” If you step into the no-volley zone without letting the ball bounce, it is a fault. You’re out of luck, so let the ball bounce and choose your next move.

However, if you can reach the ball without stepping over the line, that is legal.

‘Over the Line’ Rules While Playing Volley in Pickleball:

The ‘No Volley’ zone implements strict rules to ensure that every player is clear on what they can and cannot do. The over-the-line (OTT) rule helps clarify a few details about kitchen play in Pickleball; for instance, players should never put their feet on the line when volleying because doing so will result in an automatic fault!

Mistakes to be Avoided During a Volley in Pickleball:

Some of the mistakes which are to be avoided during the game are as follows:

1. When the Ball is Low, Hit It Hard:

It is a significant mistake that pickleball players usually make at the novice level. It is essential to know that the ball shouldn’t be hit hard when travelling at a low pace. When the player plays low angled shots, it will end up on the net or an unwanted error.

Similarly, when the player would play a high angled shot, it would either go out of the court or result in an unwanted error or foul. Both the situations are not ideal. Therefore, players need to remember that this mistake has to be avoided if they wish to score well.

2. Don’t Get Too Close:

It is observed that most of the pickleball players prefer to remain stationary, which means they usually play at one position only. It is not recommended at all. If a player didn’t move their feet, there would be a high chance of getting caught off guard.

The player should make sure that they remain perfect in terms of footwork so that it would eventually allow the player to move swiftly in and out, forward and backwards in the court, making it easier to score against the opponent.

3. Pushing Back:

Pushing back off the kitchen seems like you can not handle volleys and is a signal for the opponent. It is advisable to stay up at the net and dominate the whole area. Moving back eventually leaves you in no man’s land and won’t help in any case.

Instead, moving back gives an extra split which is second to execute a shot. Meanwhile, this attempt also creates a gap on which opponents can capitalize on more dangerous. 

5 Rules for Hitting the Volley in Pickleball:

The rules for hitting and placing the pickleball volleys depends on the situation and context of the rally. Here below, we will discuss some rules which can be followed during the hit and target of volleys.

Rule 1	Hit the volley at the opponent’s feet. The volley’s hit low at one’s feet is most difficult to return.
Rule 2	Hit the volley to the shoulder of your opponent. The opponent will likely have defaulted to backhand ready position while being in their own non-volley line.
Rule 3	Hit the volley away from opponents towards the gap.
Rule 4	Hit the volley deep when the opponents are stuck. It will pin the opponents to their baseline.
Rule 5	Hit the volley to drop it softly. It will simply reset the point if the opponents are driving the ball hard at you.

Improving the Volley in Pickleball Sport:

The player should control the direction of the ball	Consider hitting the ball near, far, left or right whenever you volley. You can do your best to control the trajectory and force unless you perform a reactive volley.
The player should practise taking pace off the ball	Those volleys which return hard hotshots at you, you can practice taking pace off the ball with volleys. Practice volleys that slow the ball down and try blasting shots at you while being in the kitchen line.
The player can aim any type of volley between opponents while playing doubles	Indecision is a point for the player and during playing doubles, a player can aim any kind of volley in between the opponents. This forces the players to make decisions as to whose ball it is.
The player should not over-extend its arm	It is best to stop swinging the arm when it is comfortably stretched without locking the elbow. You should not overextend your arm as overextension will limit your control.
Player Should know the difference between light and heavy hit	There is a great difference between heavy and light hits. Heavy hit launches the ball while light hit keeps the opponents close to the net. Light hit opens the possibility of catch.
The player should plant the feet before volleying	The feet of players are the primary point of motion so players should plant the feet before volleying in pickleball. It is difficult to volley on one leg as running is difficult.
Practice makes the player a perfect player	Practice is the thing that can make a player perfect in-game. You should expand your capabilities so a player should try each volley. It is good to know more about movements as it will make you more unpredictable.

Also Read:

What Kind of Ball is Used in Pickleball?
How to Become a Pickleball Pro? 
Pickleball When to Switch Sides? What You Need to Know
What Does 4.0 Mean in Pickleball? All You Need to Know
How Did Pickleball Get Its Name? Amazing Fact

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

What is the significant difference between a volley and a rally in a pickle ball game?

Rally in a pickleball game is considered a continuous play that occurs after the service and before a fault. At the same time, a volley is a hit in the air during a pickleball game before hitting the ground during a rally.

When can you volley a pickleball?

In the non-valley zone, volleys are permitted anywhere on the pickleball court. You may strike the volley at the baseline or anywhere between the non-volley zone line and baseline. 

How do you hit a volley in the pickle ball game?

 You can adopt the following method below for hitting a forehand volley in the pickleball:

• Get yourself ready for the stance.
• Keep your paddle face in an aligned way.
• Hold the paddle in a continental grip and ensure that wrists are stable.
• Use very little arm movement and bring the paddle back.
• Hot the shot and punch through the volley directing the ball away from the opponent.

What is the actual meaning of volley in pickleball Quizlet?

To attempt a volley in a pickleball game means to hit it in the air without first letting it. The opponent team should let the ball bounce and must let the return of the serve bounce before playing it. 

Can you attempt volley and serve in pickleball?

Both teams playing pickleball can either volley the ball after the ball has bounced once in each team’s court or play it off a bounce called groundstroke. The two-bounce rule can eliminate the serve and volley advantage and extend the rallies.

Can a player get two serves in a pickleball?

The serve is made in a diagonal crosscourt and should land within the confines of the opposite diagonal court. Only one serve attempt is allowed in-game with an exception in the event of a let.

Where can a player pick a volley in pickleball?

Before the ball bounces back, hitting it in the air is called a volley in a pickleball. Volleys are executed at or near the non-volley line or possibly in the transition area where a player is working away from the baseline to the non-volley line.

What is a half volley in a pickle ball game?

A half volley is a groundstroke shot where a paddle contacts the ball quickly after it bounces away from the court and before it rises to its potential height.