Pickleball Backhand Shot Techniques: Pickleball coach Big Ball Chiropractor has shared a detailed guide to mastering four key backhand shots—the roll, flick, poke, and a new jab technique. In an unedited training video, he explained when to use each shot and the motion needed to build power, spin, and control near the kitchen line.
Backhand Roll: Low to High for Top Spin
The backhand roll works best on low balls close to the net. “The advantage to the backhand roll is that it’s primarily a low to high motion. You’re going to get a lot of top spin, meaning that you can hit backhand rolls from pretty low positions on your body,” Big Ball Chiropractor said.
He advised starting the paddle below the ball, making contact in front of the body, and finishing with an upward follow-through to lift the shot over the net.
Backhand Flick: Punch with Power
The backhand flick is ideal when the ball is at net height or higher. “The advantage of the flick is it’s a much more linear motion. So the roll very much a low to high shot. With the flick, we’re very much getting through the ball. So it’s a much more powerful shot,” he explained.
Players can set the paddle closer to ball height and close the paddle face slightly for control. “It’s kind of like throwing a Frisbee. You are unlocking your wrist through this ball,” he added.
Backhand Poke: Quick and Sneaky
The backhand poke is used less often but can surprise opponents. “It’s just a bit of a riskier shot…used more as a disguised, unconventional shot to just catch someone off balance and surprise them,” he said.
For this shot, players rotate the paddle tip down and jab quickly at a mid-height ball, stopping the motion almost instantly to keep opponents guessing.
Backhand Jab: A New Hybrid Shot
Big Ball Chiropractor introduced a new move he learned from his friend Edu. “This is called the backhand jab, and it’s actually a shot that I just learned from my friend Ed. I kind of described it as a mix between the poke and the flick,” he said.
The jab combines the poke’s quick wrist snap with the flick’s forward motion, adding top spin to attack balls even below net height. “It really catches your opponent off guard cuz it’s a pretty low ball that you’re just snapping right in front of them,” he added.
Building Better Backhands
These pickleball techniques help players attack from different ball heights and create more winning opportunities. By learning the roll for low balls, the flick for power, the poke for surprise, and the jab for versatility, players can sharpen their backhand and keep opponents off balance.
News in Brief: Pickleball Backhand Shot Techniques
Pickleball coach Big Ball Chiropractor explained how to master the backhand roll, flick, poke, and a new jab shot. Each move targets a specific ball height and uses different wrist motions to add power, spin, or surprise, giving players more options to control rallies and win points.
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