Volley technique: compact punch and body weight
Key takeaway from our Guru
How do I generate power on my volleys without swinging too much?
Stop using your shoulder muscles alone and start pushing through the ball with your legs. Imagine a heavy door in front of your shoulder and drive your body weight into it to create a compact, punching motion.
What this lesson covers
The volley requires a rapid change of ball direction, making a full swing ineffective against fast incoming shots. Instead, the racket stays up near the shoulder in a ready position, allowing for a compact, blocking motion on both forehand and backhand sides. A common mistake involves using only the small muscles of the shoulder, which lacks the necessary power and stability.
To generate force, imagine a solid door positioned in line with your shoulder. You must push through this door, transferring weight from the back leg to the front leg. This body movement engages larger muscle groups, particularly on the backhand side where the rotator cuff is small. Keep the swing short to ensure accurate contact and consistent placement.
Most volleys serve as setup shots rather than point finishers. Maintain intention and bite on these setup balls to force an easier return from the opponent. Differentiate between these controlled setup volleys and aggressive shots to avoid trying to finish the point too early.
New lessons, in your inbox
We add lessons from the creators we learn from every week. Get the new ones, our racket reviews and what the creators are making, every other week.
Original video
Good for
Skill level
Beginner, Intermediate, High Intermediate, Advanced, High Advanced
Court position
Net
Secondary shot
Block
Support The Padel School
Every lesson on this page is The Padel School's work. If it helped your game, subscribe on YouTube and tell them.
Subscribe on YouTube