Powerful Pickleball Groundstrokes

Groundstrokes in pickleball are crucial for your success. Driving a pickleball with power and precision takes a little practice but will significantly improve your overall gameplay and confidence on the court.

Forehand Groundstroke

The forehand groundstroke is executed with the dominant hand used primarily to generate power from the back of the court such as returning a serve. The Eastern grip is a popular choice for control and power. The swing is smooth, relaxed with a strong back-swing followed by a full follow-through which will generate both power and control. Basically, to execute a good forehand groundstroke, turn your body to the dominant side lead leaving the opposite shoulder in line with the projected target. Maintain a low centre of gravity, keep your eye on the ball, and transfer weight from the back foot to the front foot during the swing. Contact with the ball is in front of the lead knee as the ball reaches the bounce apex.

Common Forehand Groundstroke Errors & Solutions

Poor Shot Placement: When shots go array, check grip strength, and grip pressure. Sometimes poor shot placement is due to mistiming, poor decision making or lack of focus, and being off balance with footwork. On the other hand sometimes the pressure of competition can lead to nervousness and anxiety leaving players feeling overwhelmed increasing poor shot placements. One of the biggest causes of poor shot placement is technical flaws. Players who have poor technique find it challenging to execute ground strokes with accuracy and consistency .

Strategies to Reduce Poor Shot Placement: Mindful practice will increase concentration and staying present when executing forehand shots. Additionally, setting realistic expectations and adopting a positive mindset can help alleviate pressure and reduce errors. Focus on improving footwork, timing, and stroke mechanics to execute groundstrokes more consistently. Learning to analyze each situation can significantly minimize poor shot placement. Aiming for specific areas on the court and using angles can put pressure on opponents and increase the probability of success.

Hitting Too Hard: When players hit the pickleball too hard, the likelihood of the shot sailing out-of-bounds is extremely high.

Strategies for Keeping the In Control with Power: Master the topspin, and work on positioning are the best way to power the groundstroke. Keep in mind – balance when hitting a hard forehand groundstroke drive. Close your stance, step into the ball, rotate at the waist, and bend your knees to generate power from the core.

Backhand Groundstroke

A vital component to any player’s skill toolkit is to have a good backhand groundstroke. The key elements to a solid backhand is to use a flexible grip like the Continental or Eastern grip for better control. Positioning requires a semi-open or closed stance, depending on the shot intention with a smooth, fluid swing ending in a full follow-through.

Common Backhand Groundstroke Errors & Solutions

Inconsistent Contact: Finding the ideal contact point where the kinetic chain of the stroke produces the most force may take sometime to master but achieving accurate timing often is the downfall of the backhand groundstroke.

Strategies for increasing consistent contact: Along with focus on footwork and proper positioning, use the non-dominant hand for balance with control, and build strength and flexibility through targeted exercises to improve court coverage along with the ability to counter opponent attacks.

Lack of Power: It is essential when generating power and control while hitting the backhand, players often use their arm only which leads to a lack of power and control.

Strategies for increasing power: Players should focus on using their entire body to generate power with the backhand groundstroke. Gripping the paddle too tightly while hitting the backhand can cause tension in the arm which leads to lack of control and power and unnecessary strain on the wrist – leading to injury. Another strategy for increasing power is to position the feet and body in relation to the ball. Using the correct stance with the feet shoulder width apart, non-dominant foot slightly in front of the dominant foot and moving the body perpendicular to the net as the shoulders and hips facing the opponent. Timing with the backhand ground stroke power is crucial. Aim to make contact with the ball when it is at it’s peak or apex off the bounce and anticipate the trajectory to get the best chance of a clean backhand stroke.

Tips for executing a good groundstroke

Early Positioning is paramount

Evaluate your form in preparation before making contact with the ball

Keep a relaxed grip & push from the legs

Generate power by utilizing core muscles in a rotation

Use a low to high swing path for control

Accelerate through the ball and complete the shot with a full follow-through

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