Balance Your Backhand

At times, pickleball players will mishit their backhand shots – for instance, their backhand dinks – because they pull their paddle-side shoulder and open up. For pickleball players who turn prematurely, try bringing your hands together on the pickleball paddle prior to contact and then throwing your non-paddle hand backward in the opposite direction of your paddle to strike the pickleball. Think of this like you are spreading your arms at contact (with a slight bend in your elbow). By throwing your non-paddle hand backward in the opposite direction, you will balance your body out and will be less likely to turn out and open your shoulder. As a result, by using your non-paddle hand for balance, you will also have fewer mishits on the pickleball court.