Padelslag: Volleyer

Volley basics

A short, punched shot before the ball bounces, played from the net. Control and depth win padel volleys, not power.

Punch volley

A compact, firm volley with a short forward punch, the volley most players use most of the time.

Flat volley

A volley with direct contact and little spin, for pace when the ball is above the net.

Slice volley

A volley cut under the ball so it stays low after the bounce, making the opponents dig it up.

Reflex volley

A fast reaction volley against a hard ball at close range, with almost no swing.

Stop volley

A volley that absorbs nearly all the pace so the ball dies short over the net. Also called a dead volley.

Swinging volley

A fuller swing on a high, slow ball taken in the air before it bounces, like a groundstroke without the bounce.

Drive volley

A firm, attacking swinging volley that finishes the point or forces a weak reply.

Counter-volley

Volleying back an opponent's volley in a fast exchange at the net, usually low and at their feet.

Stretch volley

A volley played at full reach. Aim deep and give yourself time to recover.

Emergency volley

An improvised volley just to keep the ball in play, often high, when you are surprised or off balance.

Forehand volley

The volley on your forehand side: a short punch with the racket head up, played deep or to the feet.

Forehand volley cross-court

A forehand volley played diagonally, over the lowest part of the net and into the longest part of the court.

Forehand volley down the line

A forehand volley played straight along the side wall, at the opponent opposite you.

Forehand volley to the feet

A low forehand volley aimed at an opponent's feet, so they have to hit up and give you an easier ball.

Body volley

A volley aimed at an opponent's hip or chest to cramp them, so they cannot swing freely.

Volley to the fence

A forehand volley that bounces in the opponents' court and runs into the side mesh, where the bounce dies or goes wild.

Backhand volley

The volley on your backhand side, with the racket face slightly open and a short slicing punch to keep the ball deep and low.

Backhand volley cross-court

A backhand volley played diagonally, the safest backhand volley, over the low middle of the net.

Backhand volley down the line

A backhand volley straight along the side wall, to the player opposite you.

Backhand volley to the feet

A low backhand volley at an opponent's feet, so they have to hit up.

Block volley

Absorbing a fast ball at the net, usually a smash or drive at your body, by holding the racket still and letting the pace send it back.

Drop volley

A soft volley that dies just over the net, played when both opponents are deep behind the service line.

Deep volley

A volley sent long and low, close to the back glass, to keep the other pair pinned back while you hold the net.

Short volley

The opposite choice to a deep volley: aimed into the front of the opponents' court when both of them are deep.

Angled volley

A short, sharp volley angled towards the side fence, often out through the side opening, to finish a point.

Low volley

A volley played below net height, lifted carefully back over with an open face. The aim is to stay in the point, not to win it.

High volley

A volley taken around head height, played down and deep or angled, without the full swing of a smash.

Half-volley

Hitting the ball just after it bounces, close to your feet, when you are caught between the back of the court and the net.

Dead volley

An informal name for a volley cushioned so softly that the ball barely bounces after landing just over the net. It is the same idea as the stop volley.