Pickleball Two-Handed Backhand Coaching: In a hands-on coaching session, professional pickleball player Susannah Barr guided player Geoff through improving his two-handed backhand drop. With a background in tennis, Geoff recently added this shot to his game. The lesson focused on helping him match his drive and drop form while keeping control and consistency.
Improving the Two-Handed Backhand
Geoff, a strong tennis player, was working to refine his backhand drop. Susannah Barr explained the goal was to make his backhand drop and drive look nearly the same. This would help confuse opponents and give Geoff more control during rallies.
“So, what we’re working on with him is from the baseline trying to make his two-handed backhand drive and drop look essentially the same,”(Susannah Barr).
One key focus was teaching Geoff not to bring his paddle too far back. Instead, Susannah reminded him to “keep it out in front” and emphasized follow-through and spin control.
Footwork and Paddle Position
Susannah guided Geoff through better footwork. She told him to “move your feet more and line up through it,” helping him hit the ball with more balance and control. When Geoff leaned too far, she reminded him, “You’re facing that way… You got to face just like you’re doing up here.”
To add top spin and better placement, she said, “Everything should be a roll. An aggressive drop. That’s what we call it.”
Throughout the lesson, she reminded him to wait on the ball and make contact in front. “Just have your paddle here. Waiting. Waiting. Go,” she said, helping him stay patient during each shot.
Building Confidence and Control
As Geoff improved, Susannah introduced drills, asking him to mix 60% power drives and drops. She said, “Drop 60% drive it middle,” encouraging him to make the shots look the same and keep opponents guessing.
Susannah also helped Geoff understand the difference between his drive and drop. “This drop is essentially the final half of your drive,” she explained. By repeating the motion and adjusting where he started, Geoff began to feel more confident.
“Your form can be the same. We’re just adjusting where we’re starting from,” Susannah reminded him.
Mixing Drills With Real Play
To finish the session, Susannah asked Geoff to rotate between drops and drives with different speeds. “Drop it. Middle. Drive it. Middle. Drive it. Yes. Drop,” she instructed, pushing him to stay consistent and focused.
As Geoff improved, Susannah reinforced the importance of follow-through. “Still, we can follow through more ’cause we’re at the baseline,” she said, helping him add more spin and direction.
News in Brief: Pickleball Two-Handed Backhand Coaching
Professional pickleball player Susannah Barr coached Geoff on improving his two-handed backhand drop. The session focused on footwork, paddle position, and making his drop and drive look alike. With drills and expert guidance, Geoff improved his technique and learned how to add top spin, patience, and variety to his game.
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