How Can I Improve My Hitting Skills?

Hitting Techniques
The Dos and Don'ts

By Richard "Mo" Movsessian

1. DO: Make a split step at the point of contact of your opponent's shot. A split step is when both feet are shoulder- width apart and parallel to each other.

DON'T: Always try to hit the ball while backpedaling or running forward

2. DO: Punch your volleys and swing at your ground strokes.

DON'T: Always swing at your volleys and punch your ground strokes.

3. DO: Get your paddle ready at the split second your brain registers forehand or backhand. Very early preparation of your paddle before you hit the ball is the most important tip of all.

DON'T: Ever ready your paddle as early as possible before hitting the ball.

4. DO: Keep your wrist firm and cocked up when hitting volleys and ground strokes. Never let your paddle face drop below your wrist. This will make your shots more accurate.

DON'T: Hit all your strokes with a flick of your wrist.

5. DO: Keep your eyes on the contact point of the ball on the paddle when hitting an overhead, even after the ball has left the paddle.

DON'T: Drop your chin too soon when hitting an overhead shot.

6. DO: Have the wind's direction and speed on your mind at all times on a windy day. This will determine how to adjust your stroke to play the wind. Before the game starts, hit a few lobs to calculate the wind.

DON'T: Play the same game regardless of wind conditions.

7. DO: Try to make contact while volleying as far out in front of your body as possible. This will open up the court, which gives you more angles to shoot for and more power.

DON'T: Contact the ball when it is behind you or beside you when volleying.

8. DO: Make a sound to yourself at the exact point of the ball's contact on your paddle. This will help you concentrate on watching the ball hit your paddle and also help keep your head up.

DON'T: Lift your head too soon before you make contact with the ball.

9. DO: Turn you upper body and point your shoulders toward your target.

DON'T: Always keep your shoulders parallel to the net when you contact the ball.

10 DO: Use the opposite side of your paddle for your backhand volley, not the same side as the forehand volley.

DON'T: Hit a backhand volley by reaching across your body and twisting your paddle so that you contact the ball on the same side of the paddle that you hit your forehand volley. This technique makes it almost impossible to hit a low backhand volley.

11. DO: Keep your knees bent as low as possible until you have completely followed through.

DON'T: Bend your knees when hitting low volleys and ground strokes.


For more information on training techniques and pickleball strategies visit Mo at his new website http://www.pickleballcoach.com/