Better Volleys - Padel Tips with Louie Harris

Your volleys are a vital part of your padel game, so how do you get the best from them? Here is Padelspeed ambassador Louie Harris who happens to also be the LTA Ranked 1 player and national champion with some padel tips to help get consistent volleys.

Here are the 3 top tips from Louie:

1. Tip the padel racket up pointing to the sky
   Keeping the racket slightly tipped upward helps you present a “blocking” surface that’s ready for fast exchanges at the net. This position also makes it easier to absorb pace and guide the ball without overhitting, especially when volleys come quickly at your body. Think of your racket as a shield — angled up and stable — so you can redirect the ball with control instead of swinging wildly.
    
2. Keep your preparation swing short and compact
   In padel, volleys are about timing and precision, not big swings. A compact preparation keeps your racket close to your body so you can react late and still make clean contact, even if the ball changes direction off the glass or comes at speed. It also reduces errors, because a shorter swing means fewer moving parts — you’ll feel more balanced, more consistent, and far less likely to mishit under pressure.
    
3. Aim your depth for the service line to prevent high bounce
   Targeting the service line gives you the perfect “middle depth” volley: deep enough to push opponents back, but not so deep that the ball sits up or rebounds high off the back glass. Balls landing around this zone tend to stay lower, forcing opponents to hit upward — which makes it harder for them to attack and easier for you to keep control of the net. It’s a smart safety target that still applies pressure without gifting them an easy counter.