Guides  ·  2026-04-20  ·  8 min read

How to Improve Your Padel Volley: Technique and Position

Why the volley defines your padel level

In tennis you can win matches from the baseline. In padel, you cannot. Padel is a net sport: the team that controls the volley position controls the point. It does not matter how good you are from the back of the court if you cannot close out points when you reach the net.

The numbers are clear: in professional padel, over 70% of winning shots are executed from the volley position. In amateur padel, the percentage is similar, though with less technical quality. This means improving your volley has more impact on your level than improving any other shot.

If you are just starting out and still learning the fundamentals, our beginner's guide to padel rules will get you up to speed. If you already play regularly and want to level up, the volley is the most direct path.

The ready position: where it all begins

Before discussing shot technique, we need to talk about where and how you wait for the ball. The ready position determines your reaction time and the quality of your volleys.

Where to position yourself on court

• Distance from the net: approximately 1-1.5 meters behind the net. Too close and you cannot reach low balls at your feet. Too far and you lose the net position advantage.
• Lateral position: cover your half of the court but do not hug the side wall. You need to reach balls through the middle and balls pulled wide to your side.
• Alignment with your partner: both players should maintain an imaginary line parallel to the net. If one moves up and the other stays back, you open a massive gap in the center.

The correct stance

• Knees bent: never wait with straight legs. Slightly bent knees allow you to react faster and reach low balls.
• Weight on the balls of your feet: not on your heels. Being on your toes gives you the ability to move in any direction instantly.
• Paddle high: the paddle should be at chest height, not hanging at your waist. The higher the paddle, the less travel distance you need to execute the volley.
• Elbows slightly away from the body: elbows pinned to the body limit your range of motion. Keep them separated but not fully extended.
• Continental grip: the same grip as the serve. Do not switch grips between forehand and backhand volleys — there is no time. The continental lets you execute both without adjustment.

The split step: the secret of quick players

The split step is a micro-jump you make just before the opponent strikes the ball. It is the most underrated movement in padel and the one that makes the biggest difference in reaction speed.

How to execute it

1. Timing: just as the opponent begins their swing (not when the ball leaves their paddle), make a small vertical hop — barely 3-5 centimeters off the ground.
2. Landing: land with feet shoulder-width apart, knees bent, weight forward.
3. Reading: at the moment of landing, your brain has already processed the ball's direction. The foot closest to that direction takes the first step.

Why it works

The split step activates the stretch reflex in your muscles. Landing with bent knees causes the leg muscles to stretch slightly and respond with an explosive contraction — like a compressed spring. This lets you move faster than if you were standing still with flat feet.

Watch any professional player: they do a split step before every volley, without exception. It is an automatic habit trained through repetition.

Forehand volley: complete technique

The forehand volley is the most natural shot because the arm works within its normal range of motion. Yet many players execute it poorly due to excessive movement.

Preparation

• From the ready position, turn your shoulders slightly to the forehand side.
• Take the paddle back as little as possible — only 20-30 centimeters behind the body. The volley is not a drive. You do not need a big backswing.
• The elbow stays slightly bent, not fully extended.
• The wrist is firm, not loose. The paddle is an extension of the forearm.

Execution

• Step into the ball: step with the opposite foot (left foot for right-handers) in the direction of the ball. This step generates power and balance.
• Contact: strike the ball in front of the body, not level with it or behind. The ideal contact point is about 30-40 cm ahead of your hip.
• Motion: the paddle moves from back to front and slightly from high to low. It is a short, compact stroke with no long follow-through.
• Wrist: firm at impact. Do not break the wrist looking for spin. The forehand volley aims for direction and depth, not spin.

Where to direct it

The forehand volley should preferably be directed at the opponent's feet (if they are at the net) or deep to the back of the court (if they are at the baseline). Aim for corners when you have a comfortable volley and down the middle when you are under pressure.

Backhand volley: the shot that separates levels

The backhand volley is technically more complex than the forehand, but in padel it comes up frequently because opponents often target your backhand to create weakness. Mastering it is what separates intermediate players from advanced ones.

Preparation

• From the ready position, turn your shoulders to the backhand side. Your dominant shoulder points toward the net.
• Take the paddle back with the elbow bent. The backswing is even shorter than on the forehand.
• The non-dominant hand holds the paddle at the throat (the face of the paddle) during preparation. This stabilizes the shot and helps shoulder rotation.

Execution

• Cross step: step with the dominant foot (right foot for right-handers) crossing in front of the body. This step is essential for generating power on the backhand.
• Contact: strike the ball in front of the body, even slightly more forward than on the forehand. The contact point is about 40-50 cm ahead of the hip.
• Motion: the paddle moves from back to front with a short stroke. The power comes from shoulder rotation and the cross step, not from the arm.
• Wrist: even firmer than on the forehand. The backhand is the shot where a loose wrist is most noticeable — the ball loses all direction.

The most common backhand mistake

The number one error is hitting the ball too late (level with the body or even behind). This happens because the player does not rotate their shoulders in time. The result is a weak volley down the middle that gifts the point. Practice shoulder rotation as a reflex the moment you see the ball coming to your backhand.

When to volley and when to stay back

You should not always rush the net. Knowing when to stay back is as important as having a good volley. Here are the key situations:

Move to the net when...

• Your opponent is at the back of the court and has just played a lob or a difficult defensive shot.
• You have executed a good deep shot that puts the opponent under pressure.
• Your partner is already at the net and needs you to cover your half.
• You serve or return a weak second serve — the serve is your ticket to the net.

Stay back when...

• You are out of position or off balance. Moving forward without control is worse than staying back.
• The opponent has an easy shot and will attack. If you approach when the opponent has the initiative, you are a target.
• Your return is weak or short. A poor return followed by a rushed approach is a gifted point.
• Both opponents are at the net in good position. In that case, a lob from the back is a better option than trying to win a volley exchange from a disadvantage.

The 8 most common volley mistakes

These are the errors we see most frequently in players at all levels:

1. Excessive backswing. The volley is not a drive. If you take the paddle behind your head to volley, you lose time, accuracy, and control. The backswing should be minimal: 20-30 cm back, no more.
2. Low paddle. Waiting with the paddle at waist height or lower forces you to lift for every high volley and gives you no time for fast balls. Paddle always at chest height.
3. Straight legs. Without bent knees there is no quick reaction. Legs are your engine — keep them flexed whenever you are in the net position.
4. No split step. Without a split step, your first reaction is always late. It is the difference between reaching the ball and watching it pass by.
5. Hitting behind the body. Contact must be in front, always. If the ball gets past you, it is better to let it go (your partner covers from the back) than to volley behind your body without control.
6. Loose wrist. A wrist that bends at impact loses all direction. The wrist should be firm like a block, especially on the backhand.
7. Trying to win every volley. Not every volley is meant to win the point. Many are transitional: maintaining the net position and waiting for the opportunity to smash. Trying to crush every volley with power creates unnecessary errors.
8. Not moving with your partner. If your partner shifts to one side, you must adjust your position to cover the gap in the middle. The volley is a team effort.

Drills to improve your volley

The volley improves with repetition and intention. Here are progressive exercises you can do in any practice session:

Solo drills (against the wall)

• Continuous volley: stand 2 meters from the wall and alternate forehand and backhand volleys. Goal: maintain 50 consecutive volleys without the ball bouncing. This trains contact in front of the body and a firm wrist.
• Low volley: same exercise but hitting the wall below an imaginary line at net height. Forces you to bend your knees and control direction with limited power.
• Split step and volley: do a split step before every strike against the wall. It will feel slow at first, but after 100 repetitions the split step becomes automatic.

Partner drills

• Cross-court volleys: both players at the net, volleying diagonally. Start soft and gradually increase speed. Goal: maintain a 20-volley rally without errors.
• One at net, one at the back: one player volleys at the net, the other hits from the baseline. The net player must direct all volleys to the baseline player's feet. Rotate every 3 minutes.
• The one-meter game: both at the net, but you can only volley within one meter of the other player (left or right). This trains precision and forces you to control power.
• Volley-lob: one player volleys, the other responds with a lob. The volleyer must decide whether to smash (if the lob is short) or let it go (if the lob is good). Trains ball reading and decision making.

Match exercise

• Volleys only: play a set where points can only be won with volleys. If the ball bounces on your side, you lose the point. It sounds extreme, but it develops the habit of seeking the net and moving your feet quickly.

Pro tips

Here are principles that coaches and high-level players repeat consistently:

• "Less is more." The volley is the most minimalist shot in padel. The shorter and more compact your motion, the more consistent you will be. Do not chase spectacular shots — chase effective ones.
• "Volley at the feet, not at the wall." The primary objective of the volley is not to hit an impossible winner. It is to place the ball at the opponent's feet so they return an uncomfortable ball you can then put away. The volley sets up the point; the smash closes it.
• "Feet first, paddle second." Good players move their feet before their paddle. If your feet are well positioned, the volley flows naturally. If your feet do not get there, technique does not matter.
• "Watch the ball until the last moment." It sounds obvious, but most volley errors happen because the player looks at their target before striking the ball. Keep your eyes on the ball until contact.
• "Play with your partner, not just next to them." Volleying in padel is a team sport. Communicate, move in sync, cover each other's gaps. The best volley in the world is useless if you and your partner are uncoordinated.

If you want to improve other aspects of your game beyond the volley, our guide with 12 tips to level up your padel game covers positioning, wall play, defense, and overall strategy. And if the serve is another weak spot, our complete padel serve guide breaks down the technique step by step.