what is a volley in pickleball

In pickleball, a volley is when a player hits the ball out of the air before it bounces onto the court during a rally. Volleys are typically executed at or near the non-volley line, also known as the kitchen. They can be hit forehand or backhand, but the backhand is more common. When hitting a volley, there is no backswing, and the ball is hit in a blocking motion with the paddle face square (vertical) to "push" the ball over the net. The goal is to hit the ball away from the opponent to make them reach, and to hit the ball deeper, the paddle face can be opened slightly to give the volley a little more loft. There are two types of volleys: a block volley and a punch or swing volley. A block volley is more of a defensive shot, while a punch or swing volley is more of an offensive shot. When hitting a volley, it is important to start in an athletic position with a relatively loose paddle grip. The placement of the volley can be down the middle, right at either of the opponents for a body shot, or at the opponents weak side, which is generally their backhand side.