The Elite Volleying Technique That Beats Muscle in Pickleball

Stop trying to muscle your volleys. Start focusing on the mechanics that actually work.

Your backhand volley might be holding you back at the net, and you probably don't even realize it. Most pickleball players focus on their forehand, but the backhand volley is where the real foundation of net dominance gets built.

Richard Livornese breaks down exactly how to hit elite volleys in his latest video, and spoiler alert: it has nothing to do with how strong your arms are.

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Technique Beats Muscle Every Single Time

Elite net players understand that volleys come from technique, not power. You don't need big muscles to control the net. You need clean mechanics, solid balance, and the right positioning.

This is the core message Richard drives home throughout the video. If you've been trying to muscle your volleys, you're already losing the battle before the ball even gets to you.

The Backhand Volley Is Your Secret Weapon

The backhand volley gets neglected by so many players, and that's a huge mistake. It's actually the most important volley in your arsenal.

The key to mastering your backhand volley comes down to a few critical elements:

Keep your mechanics compact and controlled, not wide and loose.
Position yourself so you can absorb incoming pace without losing placement.
Stay ready on the balls of your feet with an athletic stance.
Use your shoulders and paddle angle to control the ball, not arm strength.

When you nail these fundamentals, your backhand becomes a weapon your opponents can't exploit.

Footwork and Balance Change Everything

You can have perfect paddle technique, but if your feet aren't in the right place, you're still going to struggle at the net.

Footwork is the foundation that makes everything else work.

Your weight needs to be on the balls of your feet, ready to move in any direction. You should be in a true athletic ready position, not flat-footed or leaning back. This positioning lets you react quickly to pace changes and adjust your shot without losing control.

Balance matters just as much. When you're balanced, you can absorb pace smoothly. When you're off-balance, even a soft volley becomes a pop-up.

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The Forehand Volley Follows the Same Principles

Your forehand volley uses the same core principles as your backhand, but the setup is slightly different. Your stance, shoulder rotation, and paddle angle all shift to match the forehand side.

The mistake most players make is getting too far from the net or not staying balanced during the shot. At the net, distance and balance are everything. Stay close, stay ready, and let your technique do the work.

Absorbing Pace Without Losing Placement

One of the hardest skills to develop at the net is absorbing pace while keeping your shot exactly where you want it. This is what separates good players from great ones.

When a hard volley comes at you, your instinct is to push back or swing harder. Instead, you need to use compact mechanics and proper paddle positioning to absorb that energy and redirect it. Your paddle angle and the position of your hands control where the ball goes, not the force of your swing.

Put It All Together

Elite volleys come from technique, footwork, and positioning working together as one system. Practice these fundamentals consistently, and you'll see immediate improvement in your net game.