Many pickleball players have been there: a fast-paced rally at the kitchen, and suddenly a ball rockets toward your paddle-side shoulder. You react. Elbow flares. Paddle twists. The result? A weak, awkward block—or worse, a pop-up.
That’s the chicken wing in action. And yes, it’s as awkward (and ineffective) as it sounds.
But here’s the thing most players don’t realize: the chicken wing isn’t just an ugly shot—it’s a symptom of poor positioning, late reactions, and forehand fear. And if you don’t train it out of your game, you’ll keep giving your opponents exactly what they want: easy targets and free points.
We break down what the chicken wing really is, why it happens, how even pros use it (strategically), and what to do instead.
What Is the Chicken Wing?
In pickleball, a chicken wing happens when you:
- Try to take a body shot on your forehand side with a backhand motion
- Lift your elbow high and bend your arm awkwardly in front of your chest
- End up in a scrunched, unstable position with little control
This move might get the paddle on the ball—but it leaves you vulnerable, off-balance, and limited in power. Worst of all? It gives your opponent a bright neon sign saying: “Attack this spot again.”
Why It Happens (and Why It’s So Common)
Even advanced players can fall into chicken wing habits. Here’s why:
1. You’re Overcommitted to Backhand Ready
Many players default to a backhand-ready paddle position at the kitchen because it feels faster for quick exchanges. But the tradeoff is that forehands become slower and more awkward to execute—especially on shoulder-height attacks.
If your paddle’s already shaded too far backhand, you’re always reacting late on your dominant side.
2. You’re Flat-Footed or Off Balance
Footwork is everything. If you’re not light on your feet or prepared to slide and shift, you won’t have the time or space to rotate into a clean forehand—and the chicken wing takes over by default.
3. You Don’t Train for Body Shots
Most drilling focuses on resets, dinks, or speed-ups—not defending shoulder-high attacks. So when the moment comes, your body does what it’s never practiced: panics.
4. You’re Too Focused on Blocking Instead of Repositioning
Blocking is important—but too many players just plant and pray. Great players move first and then block.
If you never adjust your body to create space, you’re always reacting from a jammed-up, unstable position.
How to Fix the Chicken Wing (Step by Step)
You don’t need to eliminate the chicken wing overnight. You just need to train better movement and better decisions.
Here’s your blueprint:
1. Start in a Neutral Ready Position
Instead of holding your paddle fully backhand (9–10 o’clock), try a 10:30 to 11 o’clock position. That way:
- You’re still quick on the backhand
- But you can rotate into a forehand block or counter without flaring the elbow
Tip: Think of your paddle like a steering wheel—it should center your balance, not pull you to one side.
2. Slide to Make Space
If your opponent is driving at your shoulder repeatedly, learn to:
- Slide or hop half a step to your paddle side
- Create space between your shoulder and the incoming ball
- Rotate and hit a compact, controlled forehand
This prevents you from getting jammed. It also sets you up for an offensive counter instead of just a survival block.
6.3 player Troy Akin shows how to hold your paddle to avoid the chicken wing:
3. Learn the “Pivot and Shift” Technique
Sometimes you can’t slide—but you can still shift your body weight and rotate slightly:
- Keep your feet planted
- Shift hips and shoulders just enough to make space
- Execute a short, punchy forehand with good posture
This is the middle ground between full movement and staying completely static.
4. Stay Compact
One of the biggest causes of chicken wings? Overextending. Keep your elbows slightly bent, your paddle in your field of vision, and your core engaged.
Big swings = slow recovery
Compact blocks = fast resets + better control
5. Drill the Shoulder Zone
Don’t just hope to fix it mid-game. Practice it.
Drills to try:
- Shoulder target volleying: Have your partner speed up balls aimed right at your paddle-side shoulder. Practice sliding, shifting, and compact counters.
- Fast hands at the kitchen: Focus on forehand-only exchanges to train quick reactions.
- Mini court hand battles: Emphasize spacing and balance under pressure.
10–15 minutes of focused reps 2x per week can completely transform how you handle that attack zone.
But What If I Still Chicken Wing?
Don’t worry. It happens—even to pros.
Here’s what to do when you’re stuck:
- Stay calm—don’t swing wildly
- Use soft hands—absorb the pace
- Lift, don’t slap—reset the ball low and soft
- Recover quickly—don’t let one awkward shot become three
And most importantly: don’t let one chicken wing shake your confidence. Use it as a cue to adjust—not a reason to panic.
Pro Insight: Is the Chicken Wing Ever Okay?
Surprisingly—yes.
Pros like Ben Johns and Zane Navratil have used the chicken wing intentionally when:
- There’s no time to slide or shift
- The opponent targets the paddle-side hip with a speed-up
- They need to get the paddle there fast, even at the cost of control
Zane explains it well:
“The chicken wing is just another tool. If you don’t practice it, you’ll suffer when it’s the only option left.”
So don’t fear it—just don’t rely on it.
Own Your Forehand, Own the Kitchen
The chicken wing isn’t just a technique flaw—it’s a mindset one. It’s what happens when you stop anticipating, stop adjusting, and stop trusting your forehand.
But the fix isn’t complicated. It’s just deliberate:
- Get in neutral
- Create space
- Train the zone
- Stay balanced and calm
And when you do?
That awkward elbow flail disappears—and gets replaced with a clean, confident counter that earns you points and respect.
So next time that body shot comes flying in?
Slide. Shift. Strike. No feathers. No flinching. Just focus. 🏓🔥
