Any good tips/videos on going from tennis groundstrokes to pickleball?

[EddieBrock]

I've played pickleball a few times and am proficient at the net, but really struggle with groundstrokes. People keep telling to stop hitting tennis groundstrokes and that topspsin doesn't work in pickleball, but what should I do? My 1 handed backhand is especially weak so I'd especially appreciate tips on that

 

[kicker75]

Hit with more slice. Slice works very well in pickleball. Forehand and backhand slice. If you're playing high level pickleball, you don't see too may backcourt groundstrokes with topspin.

 

[treo]

Good videos to watch for pickleball groundstrokes are tennis groundstroke videos. Jack Foster in the blue shirt goes to the extreme with the topspin.

 

[LeeD]

You tube.
Topspin works great if you can hit it. Every top player uses topspin forehand.
Only the tennis underspin volley is seldom used.

 

[jonestim]

When I started I did mimic my tennis topspin groundstrokes, including switching grips. Over the last 8 months I have gone away from that. On my forehand side I mix between topspin or slice, but with the same continental grip. On the backhand side I do almost exclusively slice. The only time I hit a topspin backhand is if I get a short ball that bounces high - but that is happening with low enough frequency that my backhand slice is now better on those shots. Slice is great because it keeps the ball low on the other side. If they want to speed up a low ball they will need to hit more up to get it over the net, and those go long more often. Slice also allows you to put some side junk on it. People hate the side junk.

 

[treo]

I used to use a SW grip in both tennis and pickle but it doesn't work well in pickle so I unconsciously switched to strong eastern forehand and continental for everything else for both sports.

 

[EddieBrock]

When I started I did mimic my tennis topspin groundstrokes, including switching grips. Over the last 8 months I have gone away from that. On my forehand side I mix between topspin or slice, but with the same continental grip. On the backhand side I do almost exclusively slice. The only time I hit a topspin backhand is if I get a short ball that bounces high - but that is happening with low enough frequency that my backhand slice is now better on those shots. Slice is great because it keeps the ball low on the other side. If they want to speed up a low ball they will need to hit more up to get it over the net, and those go long more often. Slice also allows you to put some side junk on it. People hate the side junk.

What kind of shot do you hit if someone hits a deep return to your backhand off their return? I played a guy who kept doing that and coming in behind it. I just don't feel like I get enough on a slice or my drive attempts to pass him.

For example. I don't have a backhand anything like the one here:

 

[jonestim]

What kind of shot do you hit if someone hits a deep return to your backhand off their return? I played a guy who kept doing that and coming in behind it. I just don't feel like I get enough on a slice or my drive attempts to pass him.

Drop into the kitchen. And the drop is a distinct shot - different than a slice or topspin - using more leg and lifting the paddle as opposed to coming through the ball.

 

[kicker75]

What kind of shot do you hit if someone hits a deep return to your backhand off their return? I played a guy who kept doing that and coming in behind it. I just don't feel like I get enough on a slice or my drive attempts to pass him.

For example. I don't have a backhand anything like the one here:

Agreed. 3rd shot drop. This is the scenario where that exact shot is so important to master.

 

[EddieBrock]

Agreed. 3rd shot drop. This is the scenario where that exact shot is so important to master.

I've gotten much better at that and it's helped a lot

 

[Stratotanker]

Hit with more slice. Slice works very well in pickleball. Forehand and backhand slice. If you're playing high level pickleball, you don't see too may backcourt groundstrokes with topspin.

Huh?

 

[Bud]

I've played pickleball a few times and am proficient at the net, but really struggle with groundstrokes. People keep telling to stop hitting tennis groundstrokes and that topspsin doesn't work in pickleball, but what should I do? My 1 handed backhand is especially weak so I'd especially appreciate tips on that

You can hit tennis groundstrokes but must use them wisely. I return serve using tennis groundstrokes, high topspin but lower net clearance or high topspin deep in the court. Once at the NVZ, it's a hard flat volley, put away or dink 90% of the time. You can attack from slightly below the net using topspin. Hit it hard and at the opponent's FH side hip. It takes many by surprise as they are expecting a dink. Be ready for the popup volley then the put away. It takes practice hitting from below the net as the margin of error is small.

If you're caught between the baseline and the NVZ, high topspin low and down the middle. Again, get to the NVZ right after the shot and expect the popup/put away.

Short angles at the NVZ also work well. To hit short topspin, I've found you have to make contact below the centerline and closer to the bottom of the paddle face (long axis of the paddle parallel to the ground.) Otherwise, the ball seems to slip/slide along the paddle face and launches at a higher trajectory.

 

[Bud]

What kind of shot do you hit if someone hits a deep return to your backhand off their return? I played a guy who kept doing that and coming in behind it. I just don't feel like I get enough on a slice or my drive attempts to pass him.

For example. I don't have a backhand anything like the one here:

Topspin lob down the middle can work well but you have to practice not hitting it long. Make sure you get it high, however. After lobbing, back up and get ready to receive a weak overhead reply. Then, take control of the point.

Another shot in that situation is neutralizing by dropping it into the NVZ, cross-court. Get back to the NVZ quickly.

A third option is short slice CC, just above the net.

All three shots take lots of practice.

 

[Bud]

Huh?

Slice. Why huh?