THE COACHING CAMPUS / DRILL LIBRARY
Roll Volley Drill
Isolates the roll volley with dedicated feeds so players can focus on its technique and timing.
VIEW THE COURT PLAN
SKILL LEVEL
Advanced
PLAYERS
2
PRIMARY SHOT TYPE
Volley
TRAINING TYPE
Technique/Skill
THE EXERCISE
What you're working on
A drill focused on developing the roll volley, one of the more technical shots in pickleball, used when the ball is dropping below net height and a punch volley would go into the net. By isolating the roll volley with dedicated feeds, players can focus entirely on the technique and timing of the shot without having to make a decision between shot types.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED
2 paddles, balls, net
01 / COURT PLAN
See how the drill works
Follow the player positions and numbered sequence in the diagram.
CLICK TO ENLARGE THE DIAGRAM
02 / ON COURT
Run the drill
Drill Set Up
Two players. One player positioned at the kitchen line as the practitioner, one player at the baseline or transition zone as the feeder. The feeder sends a continuous stream of higher drop balls towards the practitioner’s forehand side.
How to run it
- The practising player takes up a ready position at the kitchen line.
- The feeder sends a higher drop ball from the baseline or transition zone towards the forehand side.
- The practising player reads the ball dropping, turns, and lays the wrist back to bring the paddle parallel with the net.
- Keeping the arm straight, the player waits for the ball to arrive and rotates low to high through the ball like a windshield wiper, rolling it towards the opponent’s feet.
- The feeder sends the next drop ball immediately.
- Continue for a set number of repetitions, then switch roles.
Coaching Points
- Lay the wrist back to bring the paddle parallel with the net, do not take a full arm swing.
- Keep the arm straight and wait for the ball to come to the paddle.
- Rotate low to high through the ball like a windshield wiper, do not break the wrist or flip over at contact.
- The paddle should finish high, if it ends facing down, the roll was not executed correctly.
- Target the ball when it is dropping below net height and aim it towards the opponent’s feet.
- Work on technique and timing before focusing on placement or power.