Clinic Recap: How to Hit Effective Volleys and Backhand Drills
What an amazing final clinic of the year at King Intermediate School. Due to the rain, we moved indoors, which worked out just fine.
With 29 players, we ran two Advanced classes, one Intermediate class, and one Beginner class. The Beginner class was led by Jana and Gary, where students worked through basic drills and finished by playing their first small tournament.
In the Intermediate and Advanced classes, we focused heavily on drilling specific angles to open up the court after shot execution. In the Intermediate class, we also spent extra time working on proper two-handed backhand technique.
That said, let’s dive into more detail on what we worked on during the clinic.
Intermediate & Advanced Pickleball Lesson: Volleys, Angles, and Court Positioning
Because we were playing indoors, we focused on properly hitting specific angles to open the court and set up the next shot. When working on forehand and backhand volleys, the key emphasis was keeping the paddle out in front and hitting the ball at a speed each player could control.
Quite often, players were swinging too fast, which led to a loss of control. Slowing the shot down helped improve consistency, placement, and overall confidence at the net.
Another drill we worked on focused on hitting a sharp-angle put-away volley, followed by the player on the opposite court resetting the ball softly into the kitchen box. This combination forced players to transition from high-energy offense to a controlled soft game.
Practicing these two shots back-to-back helps players adapt faster, improve touch, and make better decisions during real match play.
Creating an Open Court: Setting Yourself Up for the Next Shot
This drill was a great way to help players understand how to open the court, starting with a return down the line, followed by the ability to poach the third shot and finishing with a sharp-angle volley.
By hitting a sharp volley, the court opens up even more because the opponents are moving forward after their short shot. This creates a great opportunity to surprise the other team by hitting slightly behind them toward the sideline.
Third shot drop
Another drill focused on hitting the third-shot drop. Due to the slippery indoor surface, we adjusted the drill by having one group serve deep, while the returning group was only allowed to hit short, soft drop shots.
Because the ball was coming in fast and skidding more than usual, this became a great opportunity to practice simply placing the paddle in the ball’s path and redirecting the energy to execute a controlled third-shot drop. While the drill was challenging at first, many players became more efficient and consistent as they adjusted.
Key Takeaways from the Intermediate / Advanced Group
- Angles are more powerful than pure power. Creating angles opens the court and puts opponents under pressure without swinging harder.
- Bending low makes it easier to handle fast balls. Lowering your center of gravity improves balance, control, and reaction time.
- The third-shot drop is about redirecting energy. Use your legs for power and your arm for direction, letting the ball do most of the work.
Intermediate Group: Backhand Drills
During most of the Intermediate group session, we focused on developing a proper two-handed backhand. We worked on correct grip, paddle angle, and smooth movement through the ball to help players hit more consistent backhands from various angles and at different speeds.
The group hit hundreds of balls, which allowed them to improve significantly compared to the beginning of the class.
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