How to hit a roll volley in pickleball, with drills
How to roll a volley with topspin to attack from the net in pickleball, when to use it, and three drills, for 3.5 to 4.0+ players.
For players rated 3.5+
When to use it
A roll volley brushes up the back of the ball to add topspin, so it dips into the court. It turns balls around or just below net height into attacks that would otherwise be too risky.
Use it on a dink that sits up slightly, or to speed up a ball that's too low to punch flat. Aim at the feet or the paddle-side hip.
1.Roll feed
With a partner3.5Builds the low-to-high brush that makes the ball dip.
- Your partner feeds soft balls at net height from the kitchen line.
- Volley them with a low-to-high brush, finishing with the paddle tip up.
- Aim for the kitchen line on your partner's side and keep the pace moderate.
Reps: 3 rounds of 15 forehands, then backhands
2.Dink, roll, reset
With a partner4.0+Trains choosing the roll at the right time in a dink rally.
- Dink with your partner. Either player may roll-volley a ball that sits up.
- The other player resets the roll into the kitchen if they can.
- Score for winning rolls and for successful resets.
Reps: Games to 11
3.Backhand roll ladder
With a partner4.0+Builds the backhand roll, the shot most players avoid.
- Your partner feeds to your backhand only.
- Roll five in a row cross-court, then five straight, then five at the feet.
- Any miss restarts that set.
Reps: Complete the ladder twice
Watch it
Common mistakes
- Swinging hard. The spin, not the pace, keeps it in.
- Rolling balls that are too low. If you have to lift a lot, dink instead.
- Rolling from the kitchen line on a high ball. Punch a high ball down instead.
- Not recovering. A roll invites a fast counter.
What to work on at your level
| 2.5–3.0 | Not yet: get comfortable with volleys & hand battles and dink first. |
|---|---|
| 3.5 | Learn the brush on the forehand at moderate pace. |
| 4.0+ | Use it from dink rallies and add the backhand roll. Roll at the feet or the hip and follow it up with the next volley. |
Paddles that help
A roll volley lives on topspin, so a high-spin paddle with a grippy face makes the ball dip more for the same swing.
Best Pickleball Paddles for SpinCommon questions
- What is a roll volley?
- A volley hit with a low-to-high brushing motion that adds topspin, so the ball dips into the court.
- Is a roll volley an attack?
- Usually, yes. It's a way to attack a ball that is close to net height, where a flat punch would sail long.
- Do I need a spin paddle to roll?
- No, but a textured face makes the spin easier and lets you roll more aggressively.
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