If you’ve been playing pickleball for a while, you’ve probably come across that one player who seems to make the ball dance in mid-air. You know, the one whose shots curve unexpectedly, making you take an awkward step just to reach the ball—and when you do, it bounces away from your paddle like it’s got a mind of its own.
That’s sidespin, my friend. And if you’re not using it yet, you’re missing out on a massive advantage.
Let’s break down exactly what sidespin is, how to hit it, when to use it, and why it can make your opponents feel like they’re chasing ghosts on the court.
What is Sidespin?
Think of sidespin as the cousin of topspin and backspin, but instead of making the ball dip or float, it makes it swerve sideways. When done right, it creates a wicked curve mid-air and an unpredictable bounce after it lands.
There are two kinds of sidespin:
- Counter-clockwise (Left Spin) – Makes the ball kick to the right after it bounces.
- Clockwise (Right Spin) – Causes the ball to jump left upon landing.
To pull this off, you need to brush across the ball at an angle instead of hitting it flat. Imagine carving a C-shape with your paddle as you make contact. The result? A shot that forces your opponent to react at the last second, often leading to mishits or weak returns.
When Should You Use Sidespin?
Alright, now that we know what sidespin is, let’s talk about when to use it. Because let’s be honest—if you just start spinning everything, you’ll probably do more harm than good. The key is strategy.
1. The Serve: Setting the Tone
A sidespin serve is like throwing a curveball in baseball—it messes with your opponent’s timing before the rally even starts. If your opponent loves driving the ball with power, this is a fantastic way to neutralize them.
Instead of serving flat or with topspin, slice across the ball to make it curve. If you do it right, it will skid off the bounce, forcing your opponent to make last-second adjustments. The more they have to adjust, the less likely they are to crush the return.
🔥 Best used against: Players who love hard, aggressive returns.
🎥 Watch this quick video to master adding sidespin to your serve:
2. The Return of Serve: Take Control Early
Let’s say your opponent serves deep with power. If you just return flat, you’re basically handing them an easy setup for their third shot. But what if you added some sidespin?
A deep, low return with sidespin makes it much harder for them to execute their third shot effectively. Instead of a smooth, controlled drop, they’re now dealing with a ball that veers off-course mid-air and bounces unpredictably.
Even better? A backhand slice return with sidespin stays low and skiddy, keeping your opponent off balance.
🔥 Best used against: Players who rely on consistent third-shot drops or aggressive drives.
3. Dinking with Deception
If you’ve ever played against a really good dinker, you know how frustrating it can be. The best way to fight back? Sidespin dinks.
Instead of hitting a simple straight dink, brush the ball slightly left or right. This makes the ball bounce off at an angle, forcing your opponent to adjust every time. Even better? If they like to speed up the ball, a sidespin dink makes it harder for them to get a clean hit.
A well-placed sidespin dink can either:
✅ Set you up for an attack, or
✅ Force an unforced error from your opponent.
🔥 Best used against: Players who thrive on fast dink battles and look for speed-ups.
4. The 4th Shot: Keep Them on Their Toes
Let’s talk about the fourth shot—the reply to your opponent’s third-shot drop or drive. This is an overlooked moment in a rally where sidespin can be deadly.
Instead of just hitting a neutral volley or dink, a sidespin cut can make the ball bounce unpredictably, making their next shot much tougher. If they were planning to drop the ball into the kitchen, now they have to deal with extra movement on the ball, increasing their chance of messing up.
🔥 Best used against: Players who love setting up perfect drop shots.
5. The “Oh Crap” Defensive Shot
Let’s be real—sometimes you’re on the run, scrambling to just get your paddle on the ball. This is where a sidespin save shot can turn defense into offense.
When you’re forced wide and off the court, don’t just hit a weak pop-up. Instead, slice the ball with sidespin. The ball will stay low and spin away, making it much harder for your opponent to attack. In some cases, you might even force them to take a step back, giving you time to recover.
🔥 Best used when: You’re scrambling and need to buy yourself time.
How to Hit a Sidespin Shot (The Technique)
Alright, now let’s get into the mechanics. Here’s how you can start adding sidespin to your game:
1. Paddle Angle
To create sidespin, you can’t hit the ball flat. Instead, you need to:
✅ Tilt your paddle slightly so it makes contact at an angle.
✅ Brush across the ball instead of just pushing it forward.
2. Swing Path
Your swing should feel like a gentle carving motion, not a straight-through hit. Imagine trying to paint a wide arc with your paddle.
✅ For left sidespin: Brush the ball from right to left.
✅ For right sidespin: Brush from left to right.
3. Follow-Through
A proper follow-through ensures maximum spin. Instead of stopping abruptly, let your paddle finish the motion smoothly.
Watch this quick video that breaks down exactly how to hit a sidespin shot—and how it’s different from a slice:
3 Drills to Master Sidespin
Want to practice? Here are a few simple drills:
1. The Sidespin Wall Challenge
Hit the ball against a wall using sidespin and try to control how much curve you create. Aim for a specific spot and see if you can make the ball veer consistently.
2. Serve & Curve
Try serving with different amounts of sidespin. Aim for targets and adjust your paddle angle to see how much curve you can generate.
3. The Unpredictable Dink Drill
Grab a partner and practice dinking with sidespin. Your goal? Make them reach awkwardly for every ball.
Should You Add Sidespin to Your Game?
If you’re below a 3.5 rating, focus on consistency first. Sidespin is great, but it’s useless if you can’t control it.
If you’re 4.0 and above, start using sidespin selectively. Not every shot needs spin, but when used at the right moments, it can completely throw off your opponent’s rhythm.
The next time you hit the courts, experiment with a few sidespin shots and watch how your opponents react. Chances are, they won’t know what hit them.
