The two-handed backhand is becoming increasingly popular in pickleball, offering players added power, stability, and control. However, many players—whether beginners or seasoned pros—fall into some common traps that can hinder their performance.
To get the most out of your two-handed backhand, watch out for these three common mistakes players often make without realizing it—and learn how to fix them.
1. Overusing the Dominant Hand
The Mistake: It’s natural to rely on your dominant hand for power, especially if you’re transitioning from tennis. However, this often leads to an imbalance where the dominant hand takes over, causing inconsistent shots and a lack of control.
The two-handed backhand should be driven primarily by the non-dominant hand, with the dominant hand acting more as a guide.
The Fix: Focus on using your non-dominant hand as the primary force behind the shot. Think of your dominant hand as a stabilizer that helps guide the paddle rather than drive it.
Practicing drills that isolate the non-dominant hand, such as hitting backhands using just your non-dominant hand, can help reinforce this technique. Over time, this will balance your shot and improve consistency.
2. Poor Hand Positioning
The Mistake: A common issue is holding the hands too close together on the paddle. When the hands are too close, the dominant hand tends to take over, reducing the effectiveness of the shot.
This grip limits your ability to generate power and control the ball, leading to less effective backhands.
The Fix: Ensure there’s a comfortable amount of space between your hands on the paddle. The non-dominant hand should grip higher on the paddle handle, while the dominant hand stays lower.
Try placing your non-paddle hand’s index finger on the back of the paddle face. This simple trick gives you better control on your backhand shots.
This positioning allows for a better balance of power and control, giving you more command over your shots. Practice hitting with this grip until it becomes second nature.
3. Failing to Lock the Wrists
The Mistake: When it comes to executing the two-handed backhand, especially for dinks and drives, players often forget to lock their wrists. Unlocked wrists lead to a shaky paddle face and inconsistent ball contact, resulting in erratic shots that are hard to control.
The Fix: Focus on keeping your wrists locked during the shot, using your shoulder to push through the ball. This locked position helps maintain a consistent paddle angle, crucial for controlled shots like dinks or precise drives.
Drilling this motion will help you develop a reliable two-handed backhand that holds up under pressure.
Wrapping It Up (Plus 2 Bonus Tips)
Improving your two-handed backhand isn’t just about cranking up the power—it’s really about fine-tuning your technique to get that sweet spot of control and consistency. Trust me, when you start avoiding these sneaky mistakes—like letting your dominant hand take over, gripping the paddle wrong, or forgetting to lock your wrists—you’ll see your backhand shots transform.
But hey, why stop there? Here are a couple of bonus tips to give your backhand even more edge:
- Engage Your Core: Don’t rely just on your arms. Engaging your core will add stability and extra oomph to your backhand, giving you more consistent power.
- Mind Your Footwork: Positioning is everything. Make sure your feet are set before the shot, and step into your backhand for better balance and precision.
Start putting these tips into play, and not only will you see improvement, but you’ll also feel more confident and ready to take on anyone who dares to challenge you on the court.
