How to improve your backhand volley in padel?

Barcelona

padeheads,

I’m a beginner padel player and I’m struggling with my backhand volley. I find it hard to control the direction and speed of the ball, and sometimes I hit the net or the wall. Do you have any tips or drills to improve this shot?

padelfan

Hi @Barcelona I had the same problem when I started playing padel. One thing that helped me a lot was to practice with a partner and do some backhand volley rallies. You can start close to the net and then gradually move back. Try to keep your racket in front of you, your elbow bent, and your wrist firm. Don’t swing too much, just block the ball and aim for the center of the court.

nomansland

I agree with @padelfan , practicing with a partner is very useful. Another thing you can do is to watch some videos of professional padel players and observe how they execute their backhand volleys. You can learn a lot from their technique, footwork, and positioning. Some of the best backhand volley players in my opinion are Fernando Belasteguin, Alejandra Salazar, and Juan Martin Diaz.

Americano

Hi , I’m @Barcelona a padel coach and I have some advice for you. The backhand volley is one of the most important shots in padel, as it allows you to dominate the net and put pressure on your opponents. The key to a good backhand volley is to have a good grip, a good stance, and a good contact point.

Grip: You should use a continental grip, which is the same as the serve grip. This will give you more stability and versatility for your volley.
Stance: You should stand sideways to the net, with your left foot slightly forward (if you are right-handed). This will help you balance your weight and rotate your shoulders.
Contact point: You should hit the ball in front of your body, at the height of your chest or shoulder. This will give you more control and power for your volley.