💬 Discussion 💬
Pros hit the volleys down but my coach told me not to?
First thing I agree is that my racket preparation is late, open and not high enough. However the follow through my coach told me that I should not go down and rather go forward, passing the tip of the racket through and not go down to create the slice.
It seems somewhat counter intuitive, so I wanted to understand is this different perspectives or are they both right? Is there one better than the other?
It seems to me that pros go from high to close to vertically down low, my coach is telling me I need to go forward and slightly down diagonally.
Would also like to know since im still a beginner is there one technique that is more consistent so that under pressure you are less likely to fail?
Thanks in advance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-wlSIOMnO8Comments (13)
u/TopgearM6d ago
It depends on your level and on the type of incoming ball.
Very advanced and pro level players have the footwork, experience and technique to hit volley's with slice on a lot of different type of incoming balls.
You don't have that ability. So for you it's better to break down the volley into 3 different incoming balls:
1) A hard and fast incoming ball -> just block it and buy yourself time (it's ok that ball has a curve, you will have time to reposition yourself)
2) A medium to faster paced flat or slightly topspin shot -> Just tap the ball back using a flat volley technique. Do it in order that the ball will bounce against the wall and because it's flat, it will go down and die fast. At your level, opponents will struggle big time.
3) A slower, slightly higher incoming ball -> this one you may use the technique with a supination at the end to create the slice that you describe. Because here you will have sufficient time to step into the ball.
An example from Asier Gogo for beginner and intermediate players:
https://youtu.be/Js2-u4_7ojk?si=fUvcZUfH9rQycyTD
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u/Maleficent_Dark_72935d ago
Adding to that is that the coach may be fixing a problem with your volley. Your technique will follow some progression. For example, for me coming from tennis, I JUST had to learn to hit down, because my volley preparation and swing path for flat volleys was already very well developed. So it could be that your coach wants you to learn volley fundamentals before learning the attacking slice volley. This is pretty normal for racquet sports technique progression
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u/TopgearM5d ago
Exactly. That is the point I want to make. I also come from a decent tennis background and as you will know, we already have well developed volley's and footwork.
Yes, the footwork and volley in padel are slightly different, but I leveled up very quickly.
Coming from a solid competitive tennis background (not recreational lower level tennis) is a cheat code.
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I literally watched the whole thing and now Im starting to understand what my coach meant. This video is gold btw learned so much! TAC and ENJOY is hilarious
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u/TopgearM4d ago
Exactly. And if you can put this into practice and gain more confidence and experience, you will be able to apply the volley with slice on more difficult incoming balls in the future.
But even for pro players, the "TAC" volley is just a good shot to use from time to time. I use it as well.
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Every time I take a class I learn so much, if you can afford it and are starting to play I highly highly encourage to take classes, the more I take those classes the more I realise I dont know anything about this game. Addiction is starting to kick in
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u/mcdaawg925d ago
Think of it more as a swing thought. If all you’re thinking is ”must create slice and to do that I have to go up and down”, and your volleys will look like you’re chopping with an axe. All that does is you’ll lose all power in your volley because your momentum is up and down, rather than forward through the ball. The balls will float in the air and your opponents have all the time in the world to punish you.
Instead, if you prepare early with your racket, as well as higher and you think finish forward with your racket you’ll get a lot more power easily. You’re still gonna have a slightly downward follow through anyway creating backspin, because that’s just the most natural way to move the racket. Depth and direction is more important than trying to force a slice in your volley, that will come naturally anyway.
Ignore what the pros do. Not only are they the best players in the world, but they’ve also spent a lifetime training and mastering their skills. Their game does not translate over to us 9/10 times.
(Also, reminder to narrow your stance and bend your knees. You’ll be much quicker to the ball getting in the correct position instead of having to reach for the ball with your arm, losing all power and accuracy)
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yes completely agree, I think im trying to do too much spin and the ball just dies exactly what you described is happening to me.
When you say narrow your stance you mean, the feet should be closer together? I always though wider was better, easier to bend knees. Are you saying my feet should be like shoulder width?
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u/hmm_n_hmph5d ago
I think an issue can be if you’re exaggerating a turn of your wrist at the end of the swing to add spin, rather than using the path of the swing. Wristy volleys feel controlled but are inconsistent.
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u/CaliforniaGoldenBeer6d ago
In the extreme, if you go completely down the ball won’t travel forward at all. So yes, it is actually a diagonal motion so you can both hit the ball forward and apply spin
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u/jeobwuk1d ago
Regardless of technique, is there a general rule on where you should return volleys to? Like beyond the service line and low into the wall? Apologies if a silly question, only just started playing and I’m trying to learn more about tactics. 👍
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