The Secret to a Winning Pickleball Smash with Roscoe Bellamy’s Expert Tips

Master the Overhead Smash in Pickleball: Roscoe Bellamy is helping players improve one of the pickleball’s most challenging shots—the overhead smash. In a step-by-step guide, he explains how to recognize a lob early, move into position, strike with power, and recover fast, turning a common weakness into a winning play.

Many pickleball players struggle with the overhead smash. It’s often rushed, poorly positioned, or ends in a mistake. Roscoe Bellamy wants to change that by teaching players how to hit smarter and recover faster.

Recognizing the Lob Early

Bellamy says the biggest problem isn’t the smash—it’s not seeing the lob coming. He points out three ways to recognize a lob:

• Paddle position: A low paddle with an upward swing means a lob is coming.

• Player movement: If the opponent is off-balance or needs time, expect a lob.

• Tendencies: Some players lob often, especially on the run.

Getting in Position

Once players spot the lob, Bellamy stresses positioning. He describes a three-part move:

• Turn the dominant foot back

• Rotate the shoulders

• Get into trophy position, with the non-dominant arm pointing at the ball

He recommends a simple drill: try catching the lob with your non-dominant hand. This helps players locate the strike zone and prepare for a clean shot.

Swinging Smoothly and with Control

For the swing, Bellamy says power comes from form, not force.

Key points include:

• Keep a light grip for a smoother motion

• Use shoulder rotation to build torque

• Speed up your hand through contact

Even if a player is off-balance, Bellamy urges them to keep shoulder and hand movement correct.

Don’t Watch—Recover Fast

Bellamy says many players make a big mistake after the smash—they stop. “After you smash, you’ve got to move up to the kitchen,” Bellamy says. “You don’t want them resetting the ball at your feet.” Moving forward keeps pressure on the opponent and helps win points.

Choosing the Right Target

Where you aim the smash matters.

• For deep lobs, Bellamy suggests hitting down the middle.

• For shorter lobs, angle the ball off the court.

He warns players not to go for angles from too far back, as that often causes errors.

Mistakes to Avoid

Bellamy lists three major mistakes:

• Running backward without control

• Trying sharp angles from deep

• Not recovering quickly

He says using the trophy position helps fix these issues.

The Best Drill to Improve

Bellamy recommends one drill above all others: catching the lob. He says it forces players to get into the right position. Once they’re consistent, they can switch from catching to smashing.

Final Advice

Bellamy wants players to enjoy the shot, not fear it.

“The overhead should be a threat—not something you dread. The more you work on reading and positioning, the less it feels like a scramble. That’s when the overhead becomes fun.” – (Bellamy)

Why This Matters

By breaking the overhead smash into simple steps, Bellamy helps players take control of a shot that often causes trouble. These techniques can boost player confidence and lead to stronger performance during rallies. With more practice, players can turn a risky move into a game-winning weapon.