Pickleball Volley Speed Secrets: Top-level pickleball players win or lose points in a split second. Fast hands during volleys are often the difference between success and failure. A compact and powerful volley stroke, along with body control, helps players react faster and stay on the point longer.
At high levels, a weak volley can be easily punished. The quicker and tighter the volley, the more dangerous the player. Strong volleys reduce the chances of being attacked. A great volley sometimes needs power, other times touch. This guide focuses on the first attack and the quick exchanges that follow.
Why Staying Compact is Key
Many players swing too big when volleying. This isn’t due to a lack of power. It often happens because they are standing too far from the ball. This slows their reaction time and limits control.
Whether the player is too far vertically or side-to-side, the key is how close their shoulder is to the point of contact. The closer it is, the quicker they can strike. When a player is under pressure, their main thought is to just hit the ball back. Most don’t even think about their body or feet.
The Problem with Standing Tall
“When a ball is hit below the net height when I’m standing tall, my arm must extend just to reach the ball. That means I’ve already used one vital lever, my elbow, just to make contact. I’m now restricted to just using my shoulder and wrist for power and accuracy. That’s like asking a major league pitcher to go underarm.” – (pickleball player)
This example shows that players lose power when they are upright. The elbow can’t stay bent and ready. That means the shot is weaker and harder to control.
Why Dropping Lower Helps
“Now, let’s look at the technique I can use when I drop my body height. Notice how my elbow can now float higher than before relative to my body. That allows me to keep it loaded to create real punching power, utilizing the tricep as well as the shoulder.” – (pickleball player)
Bending the knees and lowering the body keeps the elbow in a stronger position. This lets players use more muscles to hit the ball, keeping their stroke short but strong.
“This will ultimately mean that you won’t be so overinvested in your counterattack or punch volley reactions that you can’t be ready for the next one. Remember, the golden rule of attacking is always to expect the ball to come back. This applies to counterattacks also. There’s no better feeling in the game than winning a fast volley exchange that lasts for a dozen shots.” – (pickleball player)
This advice reminds players to always be ready for the next ball, even during hard exchanges.
Learning from Mistakes
“However, there’s not much worse than that sinking feeling you get when you’re attacked and either unable to return or the counter punch sailed into the bleaches because you couldn’t control your haymaker of a forehand volley. I know, I know you’ve heard it all before. Get low, bend your knees.” – (pickleball player)
Many players make the mistake of swinging too big or staying too upright. This can lead to missed shots or poor reactions. Being lower not only helps players move quicker but also lets them reach low balls near the net.
“Being quicker to the ball and being able to reach far into the kitchen are normally the best arguments for it. But today, I’ve presented yet another reason that dropping your body height is absolutely necessary. So, here’s what I want you to do. Get a GoPro or even just use your phone and take some footage of you until you have enough evidence of what’s actually happening.” – (pickleball player)
Recording yourself helps you see what’s really going on in your game.
“There’s what you feel and there’s what’s real. Unfortunately, those two are rarely the same thing. So, take a look at yourself and make the change.” – (pickleball player)
Why it Matters
This approach helps players improve speed, control, and confidence. Simple changes in body height and stroke can make a big difference. Filming practice and being honest with yourself are key steps to getting better. The goal is to win fast volley battles and stay ready for the next ball.
News in Brief: Pickleball Volley Speed Secrets
Fast hands in pickleball start with good volley technique. Keeping strokes short and body low allows players to react quicker and strike harder. Recording play helps spot errors. Smart body positioning and compact swings make players harder to beat during quick exchanges.
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