Padel volleys: technique, shot choices and three drills
Enjoy your time at the net. Learn when to use a forehand, backhand, block, slice or drop volley, then try three drills with court diagrams to build control and create the next opening for your pair.
Which volley does this ball need?
With contact above the net and good balance, you can add pressure. If the ball is low or fast, shorten the swing and leave room above the net and inside the lines. A successful volley can improve your position without finishing the point.
- Short swing
- give yourself time to make clean contact
- Read the height
- control balls below net level
- Stay connected
- recover together for the next shot
Get ready before the ball arrives
Keep the racket in front and your knees comfortably flexed. Turn your shoulders towards the hitting side, then use small steps to find space around the ball. Avoid reaching so far that the next shot catches you off balance.
On both forehand and backhand, use a short preparation and meet the ball in front where possible. When a fast ball comes straight at you, borrow its pace. A simple block through the middle can do more for you than an ambitious sideline winner.
Add pressure or take pace off?
A slow, high ball gives you time to drive a firm volley towards a generous target. Below net height, you have to lift the ball first. Allow enough clearance and work towards a better contact on the following shot.
A slice volley uses a compact forward action with some underspin to encourage a lower bounce. Avoid chopping steeply down at the ball: depth and control still matter. A soft volley takes pace off and can be useful when the opponents are well behind the service line.
When a drop volley or volley lob makes sense
A drop volley needs touch and room at the front of the court. Try it from a manageable ball near the net while the opponents are deep. A fast ball at your feet makes the same shot much harder.
A volley lob is a lob played before the bounce. It can be useful when opponents move in and you have time beneath a slower ball. Give it enough height and depth; a short lob offers them a smash. When rushed, a straightforward block is often the better option.
Three drills to take on court
Work in pairs, with one player at the net and the other feeding from the opposite back court. Swap after each set. The targets below are practice suggestions: enlarge them until you can keep a rally going.
- Target volley: Mark a wide area beyond the service line. Feed ten balls to both sides and aim for seven controlled landings. Progress to alternating between the middle and a corner.
- High or low: Feed ten balls at different heights. The volley player chooses pressure or control. Count suitable choices separately from balls kept in play, then increase the feeding pace.
- Find the touch: Play five steady deep volleys, then take a suitable ball short. The feeder recovers after each shot. Swap after three sets; later, play out the point after the short volley.
Two tasks for better control at net
Begin with comfortable feeds. A generous target and a suitable choice matter more than pace.
- A–D: players
- Ball path
- Player movement
- Target area
Find the deep target
B feeds from the back court. A uses a compact volley towards the broad area beyond the service line.
- Feed ten balls, alternating forehand and backhand.
- Use seven controlled landings as a practice target. Enlarge the zone when needed.
- Swap roles after the set. Later alternate between the middle and a corner.
Low contact: choose control
B feeds a ball that A meets below net height. The drawing shows direction, not ball height.
- A keeps the preparation short and leaves clearance above the net and inside the lines.
- Count suitable choices separately from balls kept in play.
- Vary the height over ten feeds. Then increase pace when ready and swap roles.
Top view: arrows show direction, not ball height or speed. Positions and target areas are examples; adapt them to the ball and your level.
Try it on court
Ready for your next rally? Find a club in Austria and take one idea from this guide onto the court.
About these tips and sources
This guide draws on the sources linked below. The relevant federation’s rulebook is the authority for official rules.
The drills are our own practice suggestions. Adapt the timing, scoring and difficulty to your level; a coaching session can provide individual feedback.
The date below records the latest editorial review. Figures and offers retain the dates stated alongside them.
View the sources usedSources and practice notes
FIP rules define legal ball and wall contacts. The linked coaching materials offer further background on shots and tactics. The drills here are our own adaptable practice suggestions; repetitions and targets are not official standards.
Editorially reviewed on 14 October 2026