Epic PaddlesMaster the punch volley—a compact, powerful shot that puts balls away at the net and turns defensive positions into offensive opportunities.
The Punch Volley Technique: Pro Lessons for Devastating Net Play
Okay, so I need to tell you about the punch volley because it literally changed my net game overnight.
I used to be a swinger. Every time I got to the kitchen line and had a chance to put away a ball, I'd take this big ol' windup and try to crush it. You know what happened? I'd either hit it long, hit it into the net, or the ball would come off my paddle with no control.
My coach—this guy named Rob who's like a 5.0 player—watched me do this for about twenty minutes one day. Finally he stopped me and said, "Dude, why are you swinging? Just punch it."
I was like, "What do you mean, punch it?"
He showed me. No backswing. No windup. Just... punch forward. And the ball went exactly where he wanted, with way more control than my wild swings ever had.
I tried it. Felt super weird at first. But then I started making shots I was missing before. And I was like... oh. This is what everyone meant.
What the Punch Volley Actually Is
So the punch volley is exactly what it sounds like. You're punching the ball, not swinging at it.
Instead of taking the paddle back and then swinging through, you just push forward from where your paddle already is. Minimal backswing. Like six inches, max. Then you punch forward.
The paddle moves in a straight line toward your target. No big arc. No windup. Just... punch.
When You Should Use It:
When the ball is at net height or just above. When you're at the kitchen line. When you want to attack but don't have time for a big swing.
Basically, this should be your default volley. Not the exception—the default.
The Ready Position (This Matters More Than You Think)
Before the ball even comes, your paddle needs to be up and out in front. Not down by your side. Not back behind you. Out in front, about a foot or so from your body.
I used to let my paddle hang down when I was waiting at the net. Big mistake. By the time I brought it up, the ball was already past me.
Keep those elbows bent. Not locked, not floppy—just relaxed and ready. Weight forward on the balls of your feet. Knees slightly bent.
And here's the thing about grip pressure: you want it firm but not white-knuckled. I grip it about a 7 out of 10. Tight enough to control the paddle, loose enough to have feel.
The Preparation (Or Lack Thereof)
When the ball comes, take a small step toward it. Turn your shoulders if you need to. But keep that paddle in front.
Here's the key: your "backswing" is basically nothing. Six to twelve inches. You're not taking the paddle back behind you. You're just moving it forward from where it already is.
Think about it this way: in a regular swing volley, the paddle goes back, then forward. In a punch volley, you're already forward. You just push from there.
That's why it's so much faster. There's no backswing time. You're just... punch.
The Contact (Where the Magic Happens)
Contact the ball in front of your body. Not beside you, not behind you—out in front where you can see it.
Paddle face square to your target. Don't try to get fancy with angles unless you're really advanced.
Firm wrist. No flicking. I know it's tempting to use wrist action to add power, but don't. It just makes the ball go wild. Keep that wrist firm and let the punch do the work.
As you punch, your weight should transfer forward. Step into it. Push off your back foot.
The Follow-Through (Keep It Short)
After you hit, follow through—but not much. Six to twelve inches toward your target. That's it.
Don't over-follow-through. I've seen people try to punch and then follow through like they're swinging. That's not a punch anymore. That's a short swing.
Keep the paddle at net height after contact. Don't let it drop. Because guess what? The ball might come right back, and you need to be ready.
Punch Volley vs. Swing Volley
Here's when to use each:
Use the Punch Volley When:
- Fast exchanges at the net
- You have little time
- You need control more than power
- You're off-balance
- It's your default choice
Use the Swing Volley When:
- You have time to set up
- The ball is above shoulder height
- You want maximum power
- It's a put-away situation
- You're willing to take the risk
Most of your volleys should be punch volleys. The swing volley is for special situations.
Where to Aim
At Their Feet: This is your bread and butter. Aim one to two feet in front of their feet. The ball will skid or bounce low, and they can't attack it.
At Their Body: Hit at their hip or chest level. Jams them up. Takes away their angles. Forces awkward contact.
The Open Court: When you see a gap, take it. Cross-court angles or sharp down-the-line shots. But only when it's high percentage.
The Middle: When your opponents are confused about who takes it. Split the difference between them.
Common Mistakes (AKA My Greatest Hits)
Taking Too Much Backswing: I did this constantly. I'd start with good intentions, but then I'd unconsciously take the paddle back and wind up swinging. Old habits die hard.
The fix: Practice with no backswing at all. Hit from your ready position. Feels weird, but it works.
Flipping the Wrist: Trying to add power with wrist action. Just makes the ball go everywhere except where you want.
Keep that wrist firm and locked. Power comes from your shoulder and body, not your wrist.
Not Moving Forward: Punching from a static position instead of stepping into it.
Step into the punch. Transfer that weight forward. It makes a huge difference.
Trying to Crush It: Punching too hard and losing control.
Eighty percent power is plenty. Focus on placement over pace. A well-placed medium-speed punch beats a hard wild one every time.
The Drill That Finally Clicked For Me
Stand five to eight feet from a wall. Just punch volley continuously. Focus on the compact motion. Count how many consecutive punches you can hit.
When I started, I could barely get to ten. Now I can do fifty or more.
The wall doesn't lie. If you're taking too much backswing, you'll feel it. If your timing is off, you'll know immediately.
The Mindset Shift
The biggest change for me was mental. I had to stop thinking about "hitting" the ball and start thinking about "pushing" it.
When you punch a door open, you don't wind up and swing. You just push. Firm, controlled, forward.
That's the punch volley. Push the ball where you want it to go.
When NOT to Punch
Don't punch when the ball is way above your head—that's a swing volley situation.
Don't punch when the ball is below net height—you probably need to dink or reset.
Don't punch when you're reaching or off-balance—just block it back safely.
Don't punch when you have tons of time and want max power—then you can swing.
The Bottom Line
The punch volley should be your bread and butter at the kitchen line. It's quick, controlled, and effective.
Stop swinging at every volley. Start punching.
It'll feel weird at first. Your brain will scream "BUT YOU NEED TO SWING!" Ignore it. Trust the punch.
Within a few practice sessions, you'll start making shots you were missing before. You'll have more control. You'll win more points.
And you'll wonder why you ever tried to swing at everything in the first place.
Just punch it.