Pro Pickleball Backhand Technique Tips: Professional pickleball player and coach Susannah Barr helped her student, Chris, improve his two-handed backhand volley in just five minutes. During a session at the Flying Pickle Academy, Barr demonstrated simple adjustments in paddle positioning, hip rotation, and footwork to increase power, control, and consistency.
Barr focused on correcting Chris’s technique by dropping the paddle head and using a low-to-high motion. “I promise you if you drop this paddle head, one of the goals I want you to have is that your left hand needs to lay back,” she explained. She also emphasized following through and finishing the volley in front of the face to stay prepared for returns.
Using Hip Rotation for More Power
Barr taught Chris to add slight hip rotation to enhance his shots. “Drop your paddle sooner. I promise you, if you drop this paddle head, you’re going to be able to get more rotation,” she said. This adjustment allowed Chris to extend and generate more pace in his volleys.
Target Drills to Build Accuracy
The coach introduced target drills with colored markers to improve aim and consistency. Chris practiced hitting orange, red, and green targets while adjusting his stance and leaning his upper body. “So, don’t be afraid to even lean your upper body. Give yourself that extension,” Barr instructed. Footwork and bending the legs were emphasized to improve contact and balance.
Correcting Paddle Head Position and Non-Dominant Hand
Barr highlighted the importance of laying back the non-dominant hand and comparing paddle head positions. “Look at my paddle head though. Look at yours,” she said. This method allowed Chris to extend and rotate correctly, hitting the ball more effectively.
Final Tips for Creating Space
The session concluded with Barr advising Chris to lean away with the upper body to create space for volleys, especially on tight shots. “Lean your upper body away and your paddle’s out here. That way you can extend and have space to really hit it,” she said.
The session demonstrated that small adjustments in technique, body rotation, and positioning can dramatically improve a player’s backhand volley. Barr also encouraged viewers to join the Flying Pickle Academy online coaching community for more tips and guidance.
News in Brief: Pro Pickleball Backhand Technique Tips
Susannah Barr, pro pickleball player, helped student Chris improve his two-handed backhand volley in five minutes. She focused on paddle head drop, low-to-high motion, hip rotation, footwork, and leaning for space. Target drills improved accuracy. Small adjustments quickly boosted power, control, and consistency, offering clear guidance for players at all levels.
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