The Secret to Better Volleys: Soft Hands!

Ever find yourself lunging for a fast volley, only to send it sailing into the back fence? Or perhaps you're trying to dink aggressively but your paddle feels like a brick, sending the ball straight into the net? You're not alone. Many players struggle with controlling pace on volleys, and the culprit is often a lack of soft hands. Today’s Tip: Develop Your Soft Hands Soft hands aren't about being gentle; they're about control and finesse. When you're at the net and a fast ball comes your way, your instinct might be to swing hard to match the pace. This is a classic mistake. Instead, you want to absorb the pace of the incoming ball with a relaxed, slightly yielding paddle face. Think of your paddle as an extension of your arm, and your arm as a shock absorber. The goal is to 'catch' the ball with your paddle and redirect it with minimal effort, using the opponent's pace against them. Why it works: When you absorb pace, you have more time to make decisions and place the ball accurately. Instead of fighting the ball's momentum, you're guiding it. This allows you to hit controlled volleys, drop shots, or even reset the ball deep into the kitchen, disrupting your opponent's attack. The mechanics involve a slightly bent elbow, a relaxed wrist, and a paddle face that is angled just right to send the ball back with the desired trajectory. Too firm, and the ball will rocket off; too soft, and it will die in the net. A common mistake is having a rigid, stiff arm and wrist. This creates a 'dead zone' where you can't effectively absorb pace, leading to uncontrolled shots. Another mistake is over-swinging. You don't need to generate a lot of power on a volley; the opponent's power is already there. Practice drill: The 'Soft Hands' Tennis Ball Toss. Stand at the non-volley zone line with a partner. Have them stand a few feet away and gently toss tennis balls (yes, tennis balls!) to you. Your job is to catch each ball with your paddle, absorbing its momentum without letting it bounce off. Focus on feeling the ball land and then gently guiding it back with minimal paddle movement. Once you're comfortable, progress to gently tapping the tennis balls back. Then, switch to pickleballs and have your partner hit them to you with varying pace, focusing on absorbing and redirecting. Today’s Rule: The Carry (or Double Hit) This rule is often misunderstood and can lead to frustrating points. A carry, also known as a double hit, occurs when the ball is struck twice by a player’s paddle during a single stroke. This can happen if the ball gets stuck on the strings or frame of the paddle for a moment and is then propelled forward, or if the paddle makes contact with the ball in two distinct motions during one continuous swing. When it applies: This applies to any shot you make, whether it's a serve, a return, a volley, or a groundstroke. If the umpire or your opponents observe your paddle making two distinct contacts with the ball in one intended stroke, it's a fault. Why it matters: It's about fair play and ensuring that the game is played with clean, single-contact strokes. A carry can inadvertently give a player an advantage by allowing them to manipulate the ball in a way that wouldn't be possible with a single, clean hit. Example scenario: You're attempting a powerful overhead smash. As your paddle connects with the ball, it momentarily gets caught on the edge of your paddle, and then the face of your paddle makes a second contact, sending it forward. This would be a carry, and you would lose the point. Common misunderstanding: Players sometimes think that if the ball hits both sides of their paddle, it's a double hit. This is only a fault if it's two distinct strokes or if the ball is carried. If the ball simply bounces off the edge and then the face in one fluid motion, it's usually legal. However, if the ball 'sticks' and is then pushed forward, that's the carry. Pro Insight: Anticipating the Reset When your opponent is pushed deep into the kitchen and is forced to hit a defensive shot, they will often attempt a 'reset' – a soft shot designed to land in the kitchen and neutralize your attack. Instead of blindly charging the net, anticipate this reset. As you move forward after your aggressive shot, keep your paddle in a ready position at waist height, angled slightly upwards. This allows you to quickly defend against a low-flying reset and potentially hit a winning third shot or even continue your attack if their reset is too high. Mastering soft hands will elevate your net game from frantic to fantastic. Keep those paddles loose and let the ball do the work!