A punch volley is a shot where you may have more time or more room to attack a pickleball, but you probably should not be too aggressive and overplay the pickleball. This shot will be very similar to a block volley (including that most punch volleys will probably be hit with a backhand). However, a punch volley has a little more paddle swing. Your paddle swing will be around twelve to eighteen inches.

To hit a basic punch volley:

1. Start in the Pickleball Ready position.

a. For a backhand, 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.

b. For a forehand, rotate the paddle from the semi-backhand position to the forehand position while keeping your elbow in place. Keep your paddle face flat and out in front of you. Also, remember to shift your weight from a neutral position to your paddle-side hip and knee prior to striking the pickleball.

2. Strike the pickleball with the middle of your paddle in a forward and slightly upward punching motion. Similar to the block volley, you should not have much arm swing or wrist action. Rather, hit the pickleball from your shoulder. However, unlike the block volley, you should have a little more paddle swing, as your paddle swing will be around twelve to eighteen inches.

3. After you strike the pickleball, revert to Pickleball Ready so that you are prepared for the next shot.

Key Takeaways:

1. A punch volley is a shot where you may have more time or room to attack a pickleball, but you probably should not be too aggressive and overplay the pickleball. To hit a punch volley:

a. Start in Pickleball Ready;

i. For a backhand punch volley, square your paddle face up to the net so that your paddle is parallel to the pickleball net;

ii. For a forehand punch volley, rotate your paddle from a semi-backhand position to a forehand position, without moving your elbow;

b. Strike the pickleball with the middle of your paddle in a forward and slightly upward punching motion side, using, at most, a twelve- to eighteen-inch paddle swing; and

c. Revert to Pickleball Ready.