When to Hit Volleys with a Forehand vs. a Backhand in Pickleball

When hitting a volley, many players default to using a backhand shot because it allows them to cover a larger area than they could with a forehand. For high backhand volleys, however, some players will instead opt for a forehand grip since it can be awkward using a backhand at that angle.

While it’s okay to do this, coaches generally recommend that right-handed players use a backhand to hit balls on the left side of the body and a forehand to hit balls on the right side of the body. Left-handed players will do the reverse, using a backhand to hit balls on the right side of the body and a forehand to hit balls on the left side of the body. Understanding the mechanics of volleys allows you to decide which grip approach is best for your game.