James Ignatowich Pickleball Backhand Technique: Professional pickleball player James Ignatowich is sharing his technique for the one-handed backhand speed-up off the bounce. While most players, including James Ignatowich himself, often use two hands, he explains how and why the one-handed version of this shot can be effective, especially when players want more control or dislike the two-handed option.
How to Use the One-Handed Backhand Speed-Up
James Ignatowich explains that the one-handed backhand speed-up off the bounce is useful for players who prefer not to use both hands. It’s a quick, offensive shot that helps players take control during fast exchanges.
To perform the shot well, two key things are needed:
Stay low and under the ball: “If you want to generate a lot of top spin with this shot, which I think is necessary if you want to hit this shot to its full capability, getting as low as possible and staying low through contact so you have leverage under the ball.”
Contact the ball out in front: “If you meet the ball more in front with your one-handed backhand, you’re going to hit the ball harder. It’s for the same reason that you’re strongest when punching at full extension or close to full extension. It’s not here, it’s here. Same thing. It’s not here with your one-handed backhand. It’s here.”
What Not to Do
James Ignatowich also shows what players should avoid when using this technique. He explains,
“You don’t want to be close to your body, and you don’t want to be hitting the back of the ball. In tennis, it’s a little different because that’s something that makes a little more sense to finish up here.”
In pickleball, however, it’s better to treat the shot like a throw, similar to a one-handed backhand drive.
“With the one-handed backhand speed up in pickleball, you want to contact it in front and then treat it like a throw, similar to a one-handed backhand drive. That one was pretty good.”
Why It Matters for Players
This shot gives players another way to surprise their opponents and speed up the game. With good topspin and clean timing, players can turn defense into offense quickly. As more players add this to their skill set, it could change how pickleball is played in fast rallies.
News in Brief: James Ignatowich Pickleball Backhand Technique
James Ignatowich explains how to use the one-handed backhand speed-up off the bounce in pickleball. He highlights the need to stay low and meet the ball in front for best results. This shot is useful for players who want more topspin and power without using both hands.
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