Quick Tip: Why Hitting Deep Overheads is Key to Winning Points

Top 5 pro player James Ignatowich

Hey guys, this is James Ignatowich, and today I’m going to walk you through how to hit a point-ending overhead. A lot of players struggle with finishing points on overheads, so let’s break it down.

One key factor in a successful overhead is getting the ball to bounce as deep as possible—especially when you’re not aiming for an angle. If the ball bounces within about three feet of the baseline, it becomes much harder for your opponent to return compared to a ball that bounces closer to the net. This is because the ball slows down a lot after bouncing, so to really put the overhead away, you want that bounce to happen deep in the court (Figure 1).

Figure 1

You also need to allow yourself a margin for error. Missing an overhead is the last thing you want, especially since you’re likely favored to win the point if you have the opportunity to hit one. So aim deep and give yourself some leeway in terms of width, knowing that depth is your priority.

When I try to finish points with overheads, I always target the deep part of the court because the deeper the ball bounces, the more it’s going to skid, and if it lands near the baseline, it won’t bounce up high—making it really tough to return.

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James Ignatowich is a top 10 professional pickleball player originally from Connecticut, now residing in Delray Beach, Florida. A former Division 1 tennis player at Vanderbilt University, James made a transition to pickleball, quickly rising to prominence in the sport and often playing doubles with Tyson McGuffin and Anna Bright. In addition to his athletic achievements, he runs his own podcast, where he shares insights into the game and interviews other professionals. jamesignatowichnewsletter | PPA | MLP | My paddle