A common pickleball problem: How many times have you had a great put-a-way opportunity, and you dump it into the net? A lot, right?

Well, let’s take a closer look at some ways to avoid that frustrating fate.

Coach Mary’s Tip of the Week: How to avoid hitting volleys into the net

The Flying Pickleball Academy is putting out some good instructional videos on the topic.  Be sure to watch the attached video below several times to get the execution down pat.

First, let’s look at the difference between a punch volley and a roll volley.

The punch volley is for a ball that stays up.  Note that it is executed in front of the body – no backswing.  Hips and shoulders are hitting the ball.

The roll volley should be executed when the ball is lower, below your waist.  Drop your paddle down, at 6 o’clock, and roll over the ball to create topspin. Check out the video.

The basic rule? When the ball is up, hit the punch volley.  When the ball is lower, execute the roll volley with topspin.

• You can also execute this skill on the backhand side.  Turn your chest and use a snap or flick, with your off hand thrown back.  If the ball is low, drop your paddle down, and use a low to high stroke, brushing up on the ball to create topspin.  Follow-through is vital.
• I love that the video shows how you keep your paddle in front of you! Incorporate your hips and shoulders and follow-through.
• A note from me:  if you hit it into the net, the point is over, and your opponent gets the point.  Be sure to contact out in front, follow-through with a big use of your shoulders and your off arm.  If the ball goes low, drop your paddle and use a roll volley.  Big follow-through!

Next Indoor Round Robin:  July 20, 2025, at Palm Desert Civic Center Park Gym.  Register by going to the Desert Recreation District website.  Go to July, then look for the Active.net option to register.

You can play singles, skinny singles, rotating partners, fixed women’s doubles, mixed doubles, and fixed men’s doubles.  Email Mary at mgbarsaleau@gmail.com for questions.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Pickleball Points: How to avoid hitting volleys into the net