BODY STANCE
(THE “READY POSITION”)
Similar to most sports, you want
to have your center of gravity on the
balls of your feet.
• Bend your knees (with your
feet approximately shoulders’
width apart)
• Lean slightly forward (so your
body weight and balance shifts to
the balls of your feet)
• Keep your paddle out in front
of you (with your elbows
slightly bent)
• Maintain your shoulders square
to the net (your chest should be
facing the net)
• Your paddle face/head should be
above your wrist (this ensures the
ball trajectory is upward)
This body position will keep you
nimble and quick.
THE FOCAL POINT
It is very important to know
where to make contact with the ball.
The “focal point” (or point where
you make contact with the ball) is in
front of your body and slightly to the
side. Note, the ideal volley contact
point is not directly in front of you.
The focal point is where your body
is the strongest, ball contact will be
more consistent, and your volley
will be the most solid.
The ball will very rarely (if ever) be
hit directly to you where you don’t
have to move. Body movement is
imperative so that you can reach
your focal point and volley correctly.
It is never ideal to hit a volley while
lunging. You must move your feet.
Next, to maintain proper body
positioning square to the net, step
with your foot that’s on the same
side of your body as the side you are
hitting the ball. This is unlike tennis.
If you were to turn your shoulders
perpendicular with the net, it would
be very easy for your opponent to
hit the next ball behind you.
VOLLEYING
As noted above, always remember,
“less is more.” Also, a volley is a
“punch,” not a swing.
• Your paddle should always start
and finish in front of your body.
Never take a backswing, which
means bringing your paddle back
so it is in line with or behind
your body.
• Aim your paddle face toward the
intended target.
• Your paddle head should be
above your wrist. If the ball is low,
bend your knees more to ensure
that the paddle face remains
above wrist.
• Punch forward 1 to 3 inches –
always ensuring your paddle face
continues to point toward your
intended target. There is NO
swinging in the volley. Simply
punch forward.
Note: If you were to swing the
paddle, your timing would have to
be perfect to hit the ball in. If you
are late or early, your paddle face
is pointing to the side of the court,
and that’s where the ball will go. By
simply pointing your paddle face
toward the target and punching
forward, you will be close to your
intended target regardless of
whether you are late or early.
• Freeze for 1 second at the end
of your volley (this ensures that
your paddle face remains/ends
pointing toward the target).
• As you punch forward, keep your
center of gravity on the balls of
your feet. You should never be
standing straight up or leaning
backward.
Remember always to hit the ball
at the focal points. If you lunge to
make contact outside of your focal
point, simply block the ball back by
stiffening your wrist (to absorb the
energy) and hold your paddle firm
(freezing your paddle movement).
Simply block the ball back (do not
swing). Less is more.
VOLLEY DRILLS
Improving Your Ready Position to
Have a Stronger Stance
Get in your ready position. To test
the strength of your stance, have a
friend face you and push slightly on
your shoulder. You should be able to
stay on the balls of your feet.
Practicing the Focal Point
When practicing volleying,
start with the paddle in the focal
point. Keep it there while you are
practicing volleys (do not take it
back to the ready position). This will
create “muscle” memorization.
Body Movement
Practice moving without hitting
the ball. Get in ready position.
Practice stepping sideways, ensuring
that your shoulders stay mostly
square with the net. If one shoulder
is in front of the other or your back
is facing the net, you know you have
turned too much.
The Volley
At home, practice volleying to
create muscle memorization and to
dramatically improve your game. In
front of a mirror, place paddle in the
focal point. Ensure your paddle is
facing an imaginary ball and target.
Punch forward 1 to 3 inches. Freeze
at the end of the punch for one
second. This ensures the paddle will
face your imaginary target. Repeat
until you master this. •
Robert Elliott is a US Open Pro
medalist along with a USAPA
Nationals and Tournament of
Champion medalist. He’s the lead
instructor for EngagePickleball
Camps and USAPA Pickleball
Universities, and Global Director
for Training for the International
Federation of Pickleball.
JUNE/JULY 2020 | MAGAZINE 43