you want SO, to be a BANGER?

The explosive growth of pickleball is changing game. Professional tennis players are looking at pro pickleball to extend their racquet careers. Collegiate athletes, football players, and even NBA players are picking up paddles and loving it. The uptick of elite athletes is elevating the speed and ability of play, and everyone is watching. I am seeing more players attempting to “bang” the ball over the net in an effort to overpower their opponents… and it is not good. The first thing to remember is that the hard drive wins only 30% of the time! If you still just cannot help yourself then it is time to learn when and how to pull off the big bang.

When to hit big

• Hit big when your opponents are still deep in the court. Otherwise, you set them up for an easy block volley. The ball must be deep with pace – keeping your opponent as deep in the court as possible allows you to control the point!

• Hit big only when your opponent is in a compromised position. When you have moved your opponent wide off the court or to the middle of the court, trying to speed up the ball and attack behind the player is a good tactic. I tell my players as they elevate their game, it is no longer good enough to hit the ball “right to” their opponent – you must move them to create an attacking opportunity.

• Hit big when you have discovered your opponent cannot manage the pace and you can generate it. Sounds easy… but the pickleball court is much shorter than the tennis court and keeping a drive in can be challenging. Read up on HOW to hit this shot below.

• Only hit the drive when you can use the forward momentum of the shot to get to the non-volley line as quickly as possible - this neutralizes your opponent and their possible shots. Concentrate on using the follow through to easily continue your movement forward, look to make a smooth, graceful approach.

When NOT to hit big

• Do not ever hit a big ball when you are behind the baseline.

• Do not hit big when your weight is on your back leg. Your momentum will carry you backwards. You will be forced to redirect your weight, and this takes time… you simply will not have that time when your opponent has beaten you to the non-volley line and you will be far too susceptible to the block volley shot.

• Do not drive the ball when you are off balance or out of position! Remember to hit offensive shots, you must have three things – balance, the ball in front of you, and good court positioning.

HOW to hit big

• The right paddle makes a difference. Most paddles range from 7.5 – 8.5 ounces. Using a paddle on the heavier side can help produce more power. I think of it like a hammer – a lightweight hammer is easy to swing, but I end up doing most of the work. While a heavier hammer may be harder to move, it does a lot of the driving and absorbing the blunt force of hitting. Do not go crazy – find the right balance of power and maneuverability for you.

• Consider paddle composition –look for a fiberglass or carbon fiber hitting surface. Fiberglass provides more “pop” with the ball leaving the paddle head quickly. Carbon fiber is a little softer and provides more feel and softer vibration off the hit. Which is better is a personal preference, so you should try both.

• Grit – you will need it, mentally on the court and on your paddle. A paddle face with more grit will allow you to grab the ball better and influence the production of spin on your shots.

• Spin – I just mentioned it and yes, we use spin in pickleball too!

To bang the ball, you are going to need topspin. The more, the better, since the court is shorter – topspin will help you keep it in. Unlike tennis we do NOT use big loopy backswings. You will have to rely on a shorter backswing. Generate the shot from the shoulder with a closed paddle face and an upward swing or brushing motion. The doubles game is not about winners, it is much more about positioning. A drive can certainly be used correctly to get a positioning advantage and thinking about the position your team needs to be in will help you decide the best times to hit big. If you find yourself on the receiving end of a forceful drive, use the following tips.

How to beat a banger

• Use the block volley to absorb the power of the shot.

• Be sure you are dropping the ball at your opponents’ feet and not just dinking in the non-volley zone. Catching them as they are transitioning and setting the ball at their feet is a much harder shot than a shorter ball that would allow them to move forward easily.

• When possible, slower, lower bouncing balls will force your opponent to hit the ball upward to get it back over the net. This is virtually impossible to drive – the court is not that long and getting it over the net and in with any pace proves to be difficult.

Wishing you lots of luck on the courts. Bang away!*