Forehand Drive Power in Pickleball: Power in a forehand drive is a goal every pickleball player should strive for, regardless of skill level. It’s a fundamental aspect of the game that can make a significant difference in performance, and professional player John Cincola has valuable insights on how to achieve it.
Harnessing the Kinetic Chain
The secret to a more powerful drive lies in understanding the kinetic chain, the natural process through which the body generates speed. According to John Cincola, it’s about using the larger muscles in the body to create momentum.
“The kinetic chain is how we gather energy going out to the paddle. We want the paddle to have the most speed possible. And we gain speed and momentum to get there based on the bigger muscles of our body.” – (John Cincola)
The key is to start from the ground up. Cincola explains that power should be generated from the legs, turning that energy into rotation through the hips, which then flows into the upper body, shoulders, arms, and finally the paddle.
“What you’re looking for is to get some power from the ground from our leg and turn that into rotation through our hips. That goes into our upper body and shoulders, out into our arm, and into the paddle.” – (John Cincola)
Perfecting the Swing with Shadow Drills
John Cincola recommends starting with shadow swings to feel the connection between the legs and upper body as they rotate. However, he cautions that once the ball is introduced, it’s crucial to maintain the proper positioning to sustain that swing.
“The most common mistake I see is while people have a good shadow swing, when they add in a ball, they position the ball or drop the ball in a spot that doesn’t allow that swing to happen. So even if I had a perfect shadow swing, if I throw the ball too far away from me, I can’t make that swing anymore. My paddle has to go to the ball, which redirects it off that line of natural rotation.” – (John Cincola)
Ball Placement is Key
John Cincola stresses that correct ball placement is crucial to achieving power. He explains that when dropping the ball or serving, it’s essential to keep the ball inside the right foot to ensure a natural swing path.
“You need to move the ball more in front of you, rather than to the side. When you’re dropping the ball or serving, think about keeping the ball inside your right foot. And when I swing through it, I don’t have to redirect, reach, or swing on a different path so I can focus all my energy on rotating through the ball.” – (John Cincola)
If the ball is too far to the side, the swing will be compromised. Instead of rotating smoothly, the player will find themselves reaching or leaning to make contact, which prevents the natural rotation needed for power.
Serving to Practice Power
John Cincola suggests using the serve as a tool to practice proper ball placement. Since there is full control over where the ball goes, it’s an ideal way to hone the technique. Practicing with a bounce serve or serving out of the air can help solidify the connection between footwork and ball placement.
“What I want you to do is play around with this a little bit. Move the ball in different locations and see how it changes your swing.” – (John Cincola)
Footwork and Forehand Drives
Once the mechanics of serving are mastered, it’s time to transfer the technique to a moving ball, which brings its challenges. The key to executing powerful forehand drives lies in footwork.
“When that ball is coming at you, we’ve got to adjust to get the path of this ball lined up where we want it. Once we’ve gotten used to what that feels like on the serve and where that contact point should be, now we can move our feet and adjust to try to get that path lined up so you’ve got the same feel and same contact point.” – (John Cincola)
Using Foot Placement to Optimize Swing
The best way to improve forehand drives is by using the outside foot as a guide to position the body correctly. Cincola suggests imagining a line from the right foot to the net, with the ideal ball placement falling along that line.
“Imagine there’s a line going from my right foot to the net, and if the ball falls on that line, I can hit the ball on that natural path so I can access the rotational forces in my legs and in my body.” – (John Cincola)
Putting It All Together
Having learned the key components for increasing power in forehand drives—kinetic chain, ball placement, footwork—it’s time to take it to the court. With practice, these principles will lead to more powerful, effective drives and elevate the game.
News in Brief: Forehand Drive Power in Pickleball
John Cincola, a professional pickleball player, shares essential tips on how to generate more power in forehand drives. He emphasizes the importance of the kinetic chain, proper ball placement, and footwork in creating a smooth, powerful swing.
Practicing with shadow swings and using the serve to perfect ball positioning can help players harness their body’s natural rotation for greater drive power.
Readers Queries
- How to hit a forehand in pickleball with power?
A power forehand in pickleball involves proper stance, grip, and swing technique. Start with a square stance, feet shoulder-width apart. Hold the paddle using an Eastern grip, and maintain a relaxed yet firm grip. Rotate your hips and shoulders while swinging to generate power.
2. How to increase power in pickleball?
Power doesn’t just come from strength; it’s also about using the entire kinetic chain—your feet, hips, core, trunk, shoulders, and arms—to put speed on the ball. To maximize power, your muscles need to lengthen and contract efficiently, especially in your hips, which are the key to unlocking power in pickleball.
ALSO READ: How to Hit a Perfect Forehand Drive That Dominates the Pickleball Court