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Where is Your Pickleball Paddle Finishing?

Today I want to ask you a question…”Where is your pickleball paddle finishing?”  Seems like a simple enough question doesn’t it.  But do you know?  Are you sure?  And why should you care?

pickleball paddle
Pickleball vs Tennis
Many players, especially those who came from tennis, have a natural follow-through across their bodies or over their shoulder.  However, this often gets players in trouble.  We can actually lose control of where the ball is going when we utilize a tennis follow-through in pickleball.
Consider just how light a pickleball is.  The ball is extremely sensitive to extra paddle movement.  Because of this, extra follow-through can make the ball change directions on us.
Pickleball Paddle Position
Instead of letting your paddle follow through across your body, I want you to extend your paddle toward your target.  You will actually be guiding your ball more towards the target and letting it come off your paddle without extra movement.
A simple way to look at it is:
  • Your paddle never has to go behind your body, and
  • Your paddle never has to go across your body.

 

Extending your paddle toward the target, rather than around your body or over your opposing shoulder, will help you hit deeper service returns.  It will make your groundstrokes firmer and more reliable.  But that’s not all…

Even When You are Dinking

Being conscious of your pickleball paddle position will improve your dinking as well.  You want to be able to see your paddle at all times…so limit your backswing so you can keep the paddle in front of you.

The same goes for the follow-through.  You want to be able to see your paddle pointing to your target.

By focusing on making your motions much shorter you will not only achieve greater control, but you will also prepare for the next shot.  By eliminating a big follow-through, you eliminate the need to recover from your previous shot.  You also will naturally anticipate the next shot by tracking the ball with your pickleball paddle.  It’s a win-win!

 

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