Product & Member Login

Pickleball Spin…Too Much of a Good Thing?

I get a lot of questions about spin in pickleball.  And it seems some people are obsessed with it.  Today we consider when imparting spin on the ball can help you and when it is too much of a good thing.

spin the ball

 

Pickleball Spin:  The Basics

As I had a strong foundation in tennis and many years of practice, I tend to use spin quite a lot.  When my paddle moves from low to high, it creates topspin.  This can be helpful when you are hitting a lob, that you want to land deep, just barely inside the baseline.   It can also help you when serving, causing the ball to bounce hard toward the player.

I also utilize backspin, or slice, quite a bit.  Using a continental grip, which is the most common grip in pickleball, you move your paddle from high to low.  Your paddle face is open and your contact creates the majority of your spin.

Both of types of spin should be a natural transition in your shots.   Often I see people trying to create spin with a heavy chopping motion.  This exaggerated movement most often results in the ball going to the bottom of the net or creating a high ball that the opponent can put away.

Pickleball Spin:  Side Spin

I sometimes run into pickleball players who were ex-racquetball players.  These players often try to impart sidespin on the ball.  They utilize a lot of wrist action and can create some crazy bounces that are difficult to respond to.  However, this is not always effective.

A few weeks ago I played an ex-racquetball player.  He had this crazy serve that could spin away from you when it bounced.  Unfortunately, of the 8 times, he attempted this serve only one went into the service box.  Missing 7 or 8 serves is not a reasonable trade-off.

He also went for a lot of sidelines, attempting crazy angles throughout the game.  But again, only about 10% of these shots were in.  The pickleball is very light.  It is harder to control.  So attempting a difficult shot and aiming for the lines just isn’t high percentage pickleball.
When hitting any shots we want to make sure we aren’t forcing something to happen. I do think learning how to control spin is an important part of growth. but it is not something to be worried about before you develop a good foundation. Many people find when they work on their fundamentals and learn how to hit a solid shot and control the ball, they will naturally create spin.  Work on making solid contact with proper fundamentals and you will create spin without even realizing it.

Why So Defensive - Tip

Why So Defensive? Fix Your Footwork & Weight Transfer

Too many players find themselves stuck in defensive positions way more than they need to be—and most of the time, it’s not because of bad hands or slow reactions. The real problem? Positioning and weight transfer. If you’re getting caught in the midcourt, struggling to move efficiently, or feeling like

Read More »
Power Source - Drill

Mastering Weight Transfer for Powerful Volleys

One of the most overlooked aspects of a strong volley is weight transfer. If you’re not engaging your lower body properly, you’re missing out on power, control, and consistency. That’s why I love this drill—it helps you learn how to shift your weight efficiently through the ball, improving both your

Read More »
Turning Your Toes - Mini Lesson

Turning Your Toes Is the Key to Better Court Movement

Hey everyone, Sarah Ansboury here! Today, I want to talk about something that could transform your movement on the pickleball court: turning your toes. It’s such a simple adjustment, but it has a huge impact on your speed, balance, power, and even injury prevention. Let’s break it down. Why Turning

Read More »
Finding Your Forward Movement - Mini Lesson

Finding Your Forward Movement

Hey everyone, Sarah Ansboury here! Let’s talk about something that drives me absolutely insane: the obsession with shuffling on the court. Shuffling side to side might seem like the right way to move, but it’s actually holding you back. Let me explain why—and show you a better way to cover

Read More »

Sign Up For My
FREE Email Tips!

In One Click...
Subscribe To My Channel!

Recent Posts