Common Backhand Mistakes in Pickleball - How to Avoid It

The backhand shot is one that many pickleball players struggle with. Hitting the ball effectively on the backhand side requires good technique and an understanding of common mistakes. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most frequent errors players make with their backhand at all levels, from beginner to advanced.

>> Read now: https://www.dailypickleballs.com/

Contacting the Ball Too Late

One fundamental requirement for solid backhand drives is contacting the ball out in front of your body. Turning early and setting your feet well behind the oncoming shot is key.

When you’re late and desperate on the forehand side, you can sometimes get away with a late contact. But on the backhand, being late almost always requires a defensive slice shot instead.

Strive to prepare early so you can drive through the ball in front of your body. Late contact on backhand drives leads to far less control and power.

Excessive Wrist Action

Many players rely too much on their wrist and forearm when hitting backhands. This leads to a “slapping” motion without utilizing the larger muscles of the shoulder and core.

For maximum control and pop, you want to coil your body and let the shot unfold from the ground up. Lead with the shoulders uncoiling through the ball and keep the wrist firm but not rigid.

Think of your arm as a whip - cracking at just the right moment for optimal pace. Keep the wrist loose but avoid excessive flick motion.

Separation Between Arm and Body

Proper technique requires keeping your dominant arm tucked in close to your side when loading up for the backhand drive. As you prepare to swing, turn your body so that your chin is over the shoulder and the paddle is high.

This coiled position allows you to explode into the shot, separating your arm from your body as you drive through the ball. Any setup position that causes your arm to be extended away from your core will hinder your ability to use your full strength.

Failure to Drop the Paddle Head

When setting up for the backhand, start with the paddle tip up. As you swing, allow your wrist to hinge so that the paddle head drops underneath the ball slightly. This engages your forearm muscles and lends some leverage to add zip at the end of your swing.
The exact amount the paddle head drops depends on if you’re hitting flat or with topspin. But some drop is ideal to avoid mishits and unwanted sidespin. Keeping the paddle too flat is a common cause of shots spraying wide on the backhand side.

Non-Dominant Arm Hangling Lifelessly

Your non-hitting arm plays a subtle but important role in maximizing backhand power.
Firstly, use it when setting up to get your body coiled properly. As you swing, that arm should move back acting as a counterbalance to your dominant arm swinging forward. This allows your hitting arm to accelerate to its highest possible speed.
If your non-dominant arm just dangles at your side, you lose some potential oomph on your backhand.

Taking Your Eyes Off the Ball Too Early

Many players rush to spot where their shot is going and lift their head too soon. This pulls the body upright earlier, directing the ball higher than intended.

Keeping your eyes on the ball longer through contact improves stability and consistency. Wait that extra fraction of a second before glancing at your target. Remember, the court is stationary - track the ball!
Those are some of the most prevalent technical mistakes recreational and competitive players make on the backhand side.

The good news is that with proper practice and conscious adjustments, these common errors can be eliminated from anyone’s game.
Awareness and repetition are key.

Filming yourself can reveal flaws you may not notice in real time. Be patient and keep those eyes down! With solid fundamentals, your backhand will rapidly improve.

Ways to Avoid Mistakes

Along with correcting technical mistakes, there are several strategies you can employ to set up stronger backhand opportunities on the court:

Move wide balls to your backhand side by cheating over on the forehand and letting your partner cover the alley. This prevents weaker backhand shots down-the-line.

Use shots like the third shot drop or high defensive lobs to pull your opponent wide, opening up their backhand side vulnerability.
Hit behind players at the non-volley zone who shift their weight to the forehand side. Backhands are harder when you’re caught leaning the wrong way.

Dink cross-court backhands to exploit the backhand weaknesses of your opponents. This can move them out of position.
With the right adjustments to your technique and tactics, your backhand can become a real weapon on the pickleball court.

You may need to rebuild it from the ground up, but with focused practice, you can eliminate those common mistakes for good. Then watch your confidence, consistency and success rate on backhand rallies soar.