Toggle sidebar
Padelguru
Update Your Preferences

Choose which topics interest you most

Your Experience Level
Beginner
Just starting out
Intermediate
Playing regularly
Advanced
Competitive player
Professional
Pro or semi-pro
I'm interested in:
Player
I play padel regularly
Coach
I coach padel players
Club Owner/Staff
I own or work at a padel club
Racket Reviews
Equipment reviews and buying guides
Video Lessons
Training videos and tutorials
General Newsletter
All updates and announcements

Train Smarter. Learn Faster.

Hybrid Coaching from Elite Padel Coaches

Train like a padel pro: verified coaches, focused sessions, and check-ins with your coach via one platform. Limited spots available.

Full Name
Email Address

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Master Low-Bounce Volleys: 5 Pro Tips for Deadly Net Play

Unlock the secrets of low-bounce volleys in padel. Learn pro techniques to dominate the net, control the game, and outsmart your opponents.

4 min read
Last updated May 26, 2025

Are you tired of your volleys sailing long or sitting up for your opponents to smash? Mastering the art of the low-bounce volley is a game-changer in padel. It's the key to dominating the net, controlling the pace, and keeping your opponents on their toes. In this guide, we'll dive into five pro-level techniques that will transform your volleys from predictable to deadly. Whether you're looking to add finesse to your net game or searching for that competitive edge, these tips will help you become a volley virtuoso.

Claim Your Spot

Stay in the Loop

Connect with elite coaches and transform your game in US

Full Name
Email Address

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Update Your Preferences

Choose which topics interest you most

I'm interested in:
Player
I play padel regularly
Coach
I coach padel players
Club Owner/Staff
I own or work at a padel club
Racket Reviews
Equipment reviews and buying guides
Video Lessons
Training videos and tutorials
General Newsletter
All updates and announcements

1. The Power of Less: Shorten Your Swing

One of the biggest misconceptions in padel is that a bigger swing leads to a more powerful volley. In reality, the opposite is often true. A shorter, more compact swing can give you better control and, crucially, help you create that low, skidding bounce that's so difficult for opponents to handle.

Fixing common Padel shot errors hitting into the net.

Your Padelguru Says: This lesson from the coach is very practical if you find yourself often hitting the ball into the net. They focus on simple, fundamental adjustments to your preparation and follow-through [...]

Instead of swinging big, focus on a short, sharp motion. This approach uses your core and generates crucial backspin, making the ball bounce low and making life difficult for your opponents.

Key Points:

  • Keep your swing compact and controlled
  • Use your core for power, not just your arm
  • Focus on a sharp, decisive motion
  • Aim to stop the racket shortly after contact

Visualize "punching" the ball rather than swinging through it. This mental image can help you achieve that short, sharp motion more consistently.

2. Master the Art of Slice

Slice is your secret weapon for creating those wickedly low bounces. By imparting backspin on the ball, you force it to stay low after it hits the ground, giving your opponents less time to react and making it harder for them to attack.

Play aggressive padel using slice, kick smash and smart tactics.

Your Padelguru Says: This is useful if you are looking to add controlled aggression to your padel game. The coach explains how to use slice effectiv [...]

How to Apply Slice:

  1. Keep the racket face slightly open at contact
  2. Brush down and across the ball
  3. Follow through low and forward

Remember, it's not about how hard you hit the ball, but how effectively you use spin and placement to control the point.

3. Focus on Depth and Placement

A low-bouncing volley is most effective when it's also deep in the court. This combination pushes your opponents back and limits their options for a strong return.

Intermediate volley tactics focusing on depth, slice, and controlled aggression.

Your Padelguru Says: Bernat explains how to improve your volley game. He focuses on achieving good depth and using slice to keep the ball low, which are key for controlling the point [...]

Targeting Strategies:

  • Aim for the corners to maximize court coverage
  • Use cross-court volleys to open up angles
  • Occasionally go down the line to keep opponents guessing

Don't always go for winners. Sometimes, a well-placed, low volley that forces a weak return is more effective than trying to end the point immediately.

4. Perfect Your Ready Position and Footwork

Great volleys start before you even make contact with the ball. Your ready position and footwork are crucial for consistently executing low-bounce volleys.

Creator: Padel Drive
1 year ago

6 tips to improve your padel volley technique

Your Padelguru Says: This covers six key aspects to help you improve your volley. The coach walks you through the essential elements from your ready [...]

Ready Position Checklist:

  • Knees slightly bent
  • Weight on the balls of your feet
  • Racket out in front
  • Eyes focused on the ball

Footwork Tips:

  • Take small adjustment steps as the ball approaches
  • Time your step forward with the moment of impact
  • Push off the back foot for added power and control

5. The Follow-Through: Less is More

The secret to a killer low-bounce volley often lies in what you do after contact. A controlled follow-through helps maintain accuracy and keeps the ball low.

Fixing common Padel shot errors hitting into the net.

Your Padelguru Says: This lesson from the coach is very practical if you find yourself often hitting the ball into the net. They focus on simple, fundamental adjustments to your preparation and follow-through [...]

Follow-Through Technique:

  • Keep the follow-through short and compact
  • Direct the racket forward and slightly downward
  • Resist the urge to swing up or across your body

After contact, imagine your racket is magnetized to the direction you want the ball to go. This mental cue can help you maintain a controlled, directional follow-through.

Putting It All Together

Mastering low-bounce volleys is about combining these elements into a fluid, natural motion. Practice each aspect individually, then work on integrating them:

  1. Start with a solid ready position
  2. Make a short backswing
  3. Step in and make contact, focusing on a slice motion
  4. Keep the follow-through short and directional
  5. Quickly recover for the next shot

Remember, consistency is key. The more you practice these techniques, the more natural they'll become, and the more deadly your net game will be.

Patience is crucial when developing new skills. Focus on quality repetitions rather than quantity, and don't be afraid to slow down your practice to perfect each element of the low-bounce volley.

By incorporating these pro tips into your game, you'll soon find yourself controlling points at the net with ease, frustrating opponents with those skidding, low bounces, and opening up opportunities for easy put-aways. Keep practicing, stay patient, and watch your volley game transform!

Thanks to the amazing coaches featured in these videos for sharing their knowledge and helping players level up their game. Be sure to check out their profiles on PadelGuru for more in-depth guidance!

Tags

padel volleys net-play low-bounce tactics

About the Author

Chris

Chris

Always overperforms in the warm-up, always underperforms in the match. Such is life.

equipment racket reviews gear guides

Related Video Lessons

Shorten swing for better, spicier volleys with backspin.

Shorten swing for better, spicier volleys with backspin.

Your Padelguru Says

This information is really helpful if you're looking to improve your net game. The coach explains a fundamental concept about volleys that many players misunderstand [...]

Watch Lesson

Skill

Lower Intermediate|High Intermediate
Volley
Forehand preparation techniques for back wall shots.

Forehand preparation techniques for back wall shots.

Your Padelguru Says

This lesson with coach Sam Jones is really helpful to understand how to prepare for forehand shots when the ball comes off the [...]

Watch Lesson

Skill

Beginner|Lower Intermediate
Forehand
Avoid these 14 common forehand volley mistakes to improve your padel game.

Avoid these 14 common forehand volley mistakes to improve your padel game.

Your Padelguru Says

Sven really breaks down the forehand volley in this lesson, highlighting 14 technical mistakes you might be making. Understandi [...]

Watch Lesson

Skill

Lower Intermediate|High Intermediate
Forehand
Play aggressive padel using slice, kick smash and smart tactics.

Play aggressive padel using slice, kick smash and smart tactics.

Your Padelguru Says

This is useful if you are looking to add controlled aggression to your padel game. The coach explains how to use slice effectiv [...]

Watch Lesson

Skill

Lower Intermediate|High Intermediate
Slice
the4Set

3 years ago

Improve your forehand volley technique with 3 pro tips.

Improve your forehand volley technique with 3 pro tips.

Your Padelguru Says

Very useful if you want to refine your forehand volley. The coach breaks down Victor's technique into simple steps, focusing on preparation, racket movement, and body positioning [...]

Watch Lesson

Skill

Lower Intermediate|High Intermediate
Forehand
Strategic setups to generate more smash opportunities.

Strategic setups to generate more smash opportunities.

Your Padelguru Says

This guide is incredibly valuable if you're looking to elevate your offensive game and score more winning points. The coach bre [...]

Watch Lesson

Skill

High Intermediate|Advanced
smash

Claim Your Spot

Stay in the Loop

Connect with elite coaches and transform your game in US

Full Name
Email Address

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Update Your Preferences

Choose which topics interest you most

I'm interested in:
Player
I play padel regularly
Coach
I coach padel players
Club Owner/Staff
I own or work at a padel club
Racket Reviews
Equipment reviews and buying guides
Video Lessons
Training videos and tutorials
General Newsletter
All updates and announcements
Update Your Preferences

Choose which topics interest you most

I'm interested in:
Player
I play padel regularly
Coach
I coach padel players
Club Owner/Staff
I own or work at a padel club
Racket Reviews
Equipment reviews and buying guides
Video Lessons
Training videos and tutorials
General Newsletter
All updates and announcements

Claim Your Spot

Stay in the Loop

Connect with elite coaches and transform your game in US

Full Name
Email Address

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.