Backhand volley technique: shoulder turn and slice
Key takeaway from our Guru
How do I hit a consistent backhand volley?
Keep your racket tip up and use your non-playing hand to support the racket throat during preparation. As you swing, release your non-playing hand in the opposite direction of your racket to act as an opposing force that prevents over-rotation.
What this lesson covers
The backhand volley begins with a neutral ready position, racket tip pointed upward and the non-playing hand supporting the throat. A quick upper-body turn creates a 90-degree angle to the net, which facilitates a linear racket path. The racket head starts above the intended contact point to allow a downward motion that generates backspin. When the incoming ball is fast, the player pivots off an open stance to block the ball with a short swing. When the ball is slower, stepping into the shot allows for a longer, more forceful stroke.
The non-playing hand serves as a critical counterbalance throughout the swing. As the racket moves forward, this hand releases and moves in the opposite direction to prevent over-rotation and ensure a stable, consistent contact point. For low balls, the player opens the racket face and pushes upward through the ball to maintain backspin while lifting it over the net. After contact, the player must immediately reset to the initial ready position. This technical progression suits players looking to improve their consistency and control at the net.
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Original video
Added on Sep 19, 2026
Padel Backhand Volley: The Exact Technique Coaches Should Teach
Description
The backhand volley is one of the most important shots at the net in padel. In this video, I break down the exact fundamentals coaches should be teaching: grip, racket preparation, footwork, upper-body rotation, and how to apply controlled slice. You’ll learn: • The correct ready position (racket tip up, non-playing hand supporting the throat) • How to prepare the backhand volley with a clean shoulder turn • Open-stance vs step-in volley—when to use each one • How to control power based on incoming ball speed • The biomechanics of the non-playing hand (opposing forces) • How to generate slice and keep the ball low into the back glass • How to reset into a ready position after contact This is a full technical walkthrough designed for padel coaches and improving players who want consistent, aggressive, and reliable backhand volleys. If you’re finding these videos helpful, remember to like and subscribe — it really helps share the content. 00:00 – Intro 00:04 – Purpose of the video 00:11 – Ready position: racket tip up & hand support 00:30 – What the backhand volley is used for 00:57 – Shoulder turn & racket preparation 01:26 – Why the racket tip points up 01:41 – Using the non-playing hand 02:07 – Linear racket path explained 02:28 – Square stance vs stepping into the ball 03:00 – When to use open stance 03:23 – Adjusting swing length based on ball speed 03:55 – Racket face angle & slice mechanics 04:23 – Starting above the contact for backspin 04:57 – Low balls: how to lift while keeping slice 05:19 – Role of the non-playing hand (control & balance) 06:01 – Preventing over-rotation 06:36 – Opposing forces in biomechanics 06:41 – Recovering to ready position 06:50 – Summary & key technical points 07:26 – Outro #padel #padelcoaching #thecoachstation #padeltips #padeltraining #padelcoach #backhandvolley #padeltechnique #padelskills #padelpro #coacheducation #racketsports #padelbeginners #padelacademy #ukpadel
Good for
Skill level
Intermediate, High Intermediate, Advanced
Court position
Net
Secondary shot
Slice
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