Generally, you will use the block volley when the pickleball is coming at you at a high rate of speed. A block volley can be either a forehand or a backhand; however, the block volley will probably be hit as a backhand most of the time because, if the pickleball is coming at you quickly, you will not have much time to flip your paddle to a forehand position.

To hit a basic backhand block volley, start in the Pickleball Ready position. React to the pickleball, such that, upon contact, your paddle position changes from the 10 or 11 o’clock position (or, for a lefty, the 2 or 1 o’clock position), to a 9 o’clock position (or, for a lefty, the 3 o’clock position). In other words, your paddle face should be parallel to the pickleball net and your opponents should be able to read the face of your paddle.

Similar to the forehand block volley, strike the pickleball with the middle of your paddle in a forward and slightly upward punching motion. Since this is a block volley, you should not have much arm swing or wrist action. Rather, hit the pickleball from your shoulder with a very short three- to six-inch paddle swing. Your paddle should move very little for a block volley. This is because (1) you will not have much time to prepare for the shot with a big backswing; and (2) since the pickleball is likely moving quickly at you, too much swing on the quick-moving pickleball will cause your shot to go out of bounds. After you strike the pickleball, revert to Pickleball Ready so that
you are prepared for the next shot.

Prior to contact, consider placing your non-paddle hand behind the tip of the top, outside corner of the paddle. As you elevate your pickleball game, you will be able to use your non-paddle fingertips to make small grip or paddle position changes. Your non-paddle fingertips will also help keep your paddle out in front of your body. However, remember, when you start your motion to strike the pickleball with a basic backhand block volley, your non-paddle hand should release the paddle and should not be in contact with the paddle.

Key Takeaways:

1. Use your basic backhand block volley when the pickleball is hit hard at you on your non-paddle side of your body. To note, most block volleys will be hit using your backhand (rather than your forehand).

2. To hit a basic backhand block volley:

a. Start in Pickleball Ready;

b. Square your paddle face up to the net so that your paddle is parallel to the pickleball net;

c. Strike the pickleball with the middle of your paddle in a forward and slightly upward punching motion side;

d. Touch the pickleball and hold your paddle, using, at most, a three- to six-inch paddle swing; and

e. Revert to Pickleball Ready.