s pickleball continues
to grow, a new level of
player is entering the
field. These players
are bringing new ideas and
techniques that were not used
just a couple of years back. One
of those is the misdirect volley
shot. This deceptive open-faced
swing is used on the tour to steal
occasional points and can be used
in your local games too.
As players improve, they will start to cue on their
opponents’ body language. Are they going to drive?
Lob? Dink cross-court? As these cues become more
important, players have to learn how to better disguise
their shots. The misdirect volley is a newer shot that’s
used to put your opponents off balance by causing
them to think a different shot is coming their way. It’s
not always a point-ending put-away shot, but it often
sets you up for that next winning shot. Here’s how it
works:
The misdirect volley generally begins with all four
players at the non-volley line. When players are in a
rally (cross-court or down-the-line), they will continue
to use the same obvious, predictable body language.
However, a split second before one strikes the next
dink or volley, he/she will open the paddle face and
send the ball in an unexpected direction. For example,
if I’m on the right side of the court, dinking cross-court,
I’ll have my body square to the net—set to hit cross-
court again. But before striking the next shot, I open
up the angle of my wrist outward (inside-out forehand)
to send the ball down the line at the opponent in front
of me. If I sell the cross-court shot well enough, my
opponents will be off-balance when the ball quickly
and unexpectedly comes at them. Chances are they’ll
either miss the volley or pop the ball up for me to end
the point.
The inside-out shot is a great tool for a deceptive
shot. Some of the best opportunities to hit it are:
l From a slightly high forehand dink or volley in the
middle or right side of the court
l From a slightly high backhand dink or volley on
the left side of the court
l From a short return from the serve in the middle
of the court
So, next time you’re practicing with friends, look for
these opportunities to deceive them. It’s a lot of fun to
try—and it adds some spice to the game. •
MAY/JUNE 2019 |
MAGAZINE
29