by Jenny Foster
In pickleball, one of the strategies players use against their opponents is body shots. However, body shots are not unbeatable. In fact, there is an effective way to defend against and beat this move in a pickleball game, that is, by assuming the correct paddle position at the net.
When in the non-volley zone, pickleball players should always ensure the correct position of their paddle when hitting the ball. Notably, this is one of the most common dilemma for pickleball players, especially beginners.
To begin with, a pickleball player’s correct position depends on the position of their opponents. For instance, when the opposing team is positioned at the back of the court and serving, there’s a lot of ground to cover by the ball. However, when both playing teams start to move toward the non-volley zone, the distance between them shrinks to 14 feet, and the exchange of ball can accelerate really quick.
So, when all players are up at the net, most professionals advise using a slight backhand. With such a paddle position, as the game rapidly progresses, that is, the ball is exchanged between players really fast, pickleball players can easily defend themselves from the ball, which is normally hit at the direction of the body or at the feet. Meanwhile, when favoring the forehand paddle position, most players will find it difficult to defend themselves from the incoming ball. In short, players can maximize their defense and block shots at the net when using more of their backhand.
Some might ask, why only a slight backhand? Why not just assume a complete backhand position completely? Well, there’s a reasonable explanation for this. In some cases, pickleball players may be forced to use a high forehand to hit the ball. However, if their paddle is in complete backhand position, they need to cover a larger distance to change their paddle position from complete backhand to forehand than when starting from a slightly favored backhand position.
Aside from positioning the paddle with a slight backhand, it should be placed in front, at the waist level. With this combination, players can efficiently block most of the balls hit by their opponents when they’re up at the net. However, just like any other strategy, using a slight backhand to defend one’s self from pickleball body shots requires practice. Likewise, pickleball players should realize that balls can come from different directions or heights, and thus, they should ensure the flexibility of their arm and hand when blocking body shots or a fast ball.