Mark Price Pickleball Half Volleys: Pickleball coach Mark Price is helping players improve their midcourt game by teaching them how to use half volleys more effectively. In his instructional series, Mark Price focuses on building strong fundamentals by correcting common mistakes and improving player awareness and pickleball paddle control on the court.
Mark Price observed one player during a midcourt drill and praised their balance and body control. “You’re not rushing around. Your feet are stable. You’re balanced, which is all great,” said Mark Price. He then addressed a key issue many players face: choosing between volleying or letting the ball bounce.
Default to Half Volleys for Better Control
Mark Price explained that indecision often leads to errors in midcourt. “There’s indecision which causes the error because you’re last minute,” said Mark Price. He advised using the half volley as the default approach. “So, I’m going to get low, get in a wide base, get my up low, and then as much as possible, let the ball bounce because it’s just an easier volley,” he said.
Half volleys give players more control and require less power. According to Mark Price, letting the ball bounce first allows the paddle to absorb the shot’s energy, making it easier to return. “I can just touch the ball and let the speed and power do the work,” he explained.
Minimize Movement and Add Lift
Mark Price emphasized that players should avoid extra movement and focus on reading the ball early. “Extra movement adds problems and then indecision,” he warned. He encouraged players to catch balls close to their feet with the paddle open and wrist bent, rather than stepping back.
If the ball is likely to hit the player or pass them, that’s when a volley should be used. “Then I’m gonna try and take it out the air and just add a bit of lift,” said Mark Price.
He clarified that a volley reset requires a slightly different motion. “We’ve got to get under it and then give a bit of a lift,” he said, noting that players often miss shots because they are still in defense mode instead of applying lift.
Focus on Paddle Angle and Smooth Motion
Mark Price reminded players that they don’t need to use their legs for lift. “I just use your arm like this and catch this sort of motion. Okay. A little small,” he said. After a few attempts, the player adjusted the paddle angle and delivered a near-perfect shot. “That’s it. You’re getting under it,” said Mark Price, adding that the steeper paddle angle caused the ball to land short and allowed more time to move in.
By lifting the paddle slightly and adjusting the angle, players can create a better shot that gives them more time to reposition. “You’re going from this angle to this angle. That’s good, mate. Very nice,” he added as the lesson wrapped up.
News in Brief: Mark Price Pickleball Half Volleys
Coach Mark Price shows how half volleys can improve pickleball play. He teaches players to use a low base, keep balance, and let the ball bounce. Using proper paddle angles and adding lift creates better control. His tips aim to turn indecision into confidence and sharper returns.
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