If we had to describe in one word the backhand volley au padel, we could use "elegance" or even "delicacy". This blow aggressive is as beautiful as it is devastating, and we're going to take it apart together.

First and foremost, it must be said that the stolen padel is not always sharp and decisive. It is above all a blow which allows to build the point, to put in difficulty the adversaries, and not to lose the offensive, close to the net.

The backhand volley is a shot that must be elegant because it will be difficult for us to impart great speed to the ball with an opening gesture of the arms. If you understand this, your learning will only be faster and your volleys will be much more efficient.

The mind

This is the first step. Understand what you can do with a backhand volley, and especially with “yours” backhand volley. There are many answers. We can first put the ball in the net or out of bounds of the track, but are we interested?

A backhand volley is used to print a cut effect on the ball, to find depth, to open the cross angle or to effect a cushioning. What will promote a good attack will therefore be the cut effect which will prevent the ball from bouncing too much.

Martin Di nenno backhand volley WPT Vigo Open 2021

Forget about backhand volleys hit hard flat or topspin.

The preparation

Very important step in the backhand volley. It must be short, at the farthest level from your body, high position (above the belt and pala head above the level of the wrist) which will allow the weight of the body to be used rather than the arms. for the realization of the coup.

The most common mistakes

First, the low pala. Once at the net, the pala should be placed above the belt (attack position) and the head of the pala above the level of the wrist of the dominant hand. In the event that the pala is too low, you could first injure yourself, then you could prepare as if you were in defense, at the back of the track, and perform a flat or topspin shot that would have no effect. offensive on your opponents.

The other mistake we can detect is waiting. If you wait for the ball instead of going towards it, your shot will be on your heels, so you will “catch” the ball instead of overpowering it. So don't hesitate to go get this ball!

Fernando Belasteguin backhand volley pala Wilson Bela X Cupra

Finally, the fact of not bending the legs. Many players lean forward to play a volley instead of bending their legs. The result is clear: attack ball for the opponents ...

Technically

As we presented with the forehand volley, the waiting position at the net will be with feet shoulder width apart, legs slightly bent, pala held with 2 hands in front of us at chest height.

As soon as we have the information that we will have to play a backhand volley, we will present the pala on the backhand side, with the pala face towards the ball. This preparation will be done with 2 hands, with the body in profile, pala no longer in front of us but at the height of our body, not too far back so as not to give the ball too much speed. The non-dominant hand will play the role of guide and tensioner.

 

Javi Garrido backhand volley WPT Malaga Open 2021

Then comes the leg work. For a right-handed person, we will try to take support on the left leg in order to keep the right foot in the air. This technique will allow us to control the ball and the speed, because if we put our right foot on the ground before hitting the ball, we will have more control but less power. The technique of the right foot which touches the ground after impact will give us a good balance between control and speed.

After the impact you must finish the gesture by making your backhand volley as beautiful as possible. How? 'Or' What ? By finishing your gesture in the desired direction, the face of the pala facing the sky, and all this while making “drag” your left foot (if you are right-handed).

Elegant, efficient, this is how the “simple” backhand volley is played towards the center of the track or crosswise, impacted in front of us.

Julien Bondia

Julien Bondia is a teacher of padel in Tenerife (Spain). Columnist and advisor, he helps you play better through his tutorials and tactical/technical articles padel.

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