Volleys in padel are shots played when you are close to the net. They are attacking shots aimed at putting pressure on the opponents or winning easy points. Before getting into the details, it is important to note that the correct grip for volleys is the continental grip, also known as the hammer grip.
1. Volley positioning in padel
Unlike forehand and backhand groundstrokes, volleys are played much closer to the net. The racket position is more in front of the body and held more vertically, allowing you to react more easily to fast shots. Since you are closer to the net and therefore closer to your opponents, the ball reaches you much faster than it would from the back of the court.
Embed from Getty Images2. Volley contact and follow-through
From the ready position, the first movement is a small preparation. Assuming you are right-handed, the racket moves slightly back near the shoulder. You then step forward with the opposite foot, left foot for the forehand volley and right foot for the backhand volley. This step allows proper weight transfer from the back foot to the front foot and into the ball.
Contact with the ball should be made in front of the body. You should not brush the ball as you would with topspin. Instead, the goal is to block the ball with the racket and use your body weight to guide it forward. After contact, the racket finishes on the opposite side of the body. For the backhand volley, the non-dominant hand extends backward after contact to help maintain balance.