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

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EddieBrock

Professional
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
 
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kicker75

Rookie
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.
 
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treo

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

Bionic Poster
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

jonestim

Hall of Fame
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.
 
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treo

Semi-Pro
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.
 
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EddieBrock

Professional
jonestim said:
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.
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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

jonestim

Hall of Fame
EddieBrock said:
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.
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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.
 
K

kicker75

Rookie
EddieBrock said:
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:

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