5 Common Backhand Mistakes Pickleball Players Make

One of the most difficult shots, especially for beginners, is the backhand. Many players loathe it so much they actually do their best to avoid it. This, of course, means they are hurting their pickleball game and limiting how good they can become.

But, if it’s a shot you struggle with or simply want to get better at, then today’s article is for you.

Here are the 5 common backhand mistakes that pickleball players make.

Mistake #1 - Slapping

One of the most common mistakes (perhaps the most common) players make is slapping at the ball instead of positioning their body to deliver a full backhand swing.

This is a mistake because slapping at the ball can cause mishits and potentially too much strain on your elbow and shoulder.

If you struggle with slapping, you’ll want to focus on getting in a good position and make sure to contact the ball while it’s in front of your body. Then, you want to use your entire body to turn and pivot into the ball instead of just your wrist and forearm.

Mistake #2 - Separation of Arm From Body

For this mistake, we will borrow a screenshot from a PrimeTime Pickleball video that we link to below.

Separating your arm from your body means allowing your lead elbow to go out in front and point down instead of having it tucked against you. As you can see from the image above: on the left, there is a space between the body and the elbow. On the right, there is no gap, and the elbow is coiled and ready to deliver a strong backhand shot.

If you’re curious about whether you make this mistake or not, you can record yourself playing. If you can’t record yourself, simply get ready to take the backhand shot, but then stop (during practice, not a game) and just take a moment to look at how you are positioned.

This is a mistake because it eliminates your power and control. It will also put more strain on your shoulder and elbow in the long run.

To solve this mistake, focus on getting in a good position, keeping the ball in front of you, and feeling your bicep press against your upper body as you coil. You can really tell the difference between the good shot and the mistake shot as you uncoil.

Mistake #3 - Not Enough Paddle Head Drop

Swinging with proper technique means using a smooth, relaxed motion. Power shouldn’t just come from arms and wrists but from the entire body. To do this with the backhand requires that you drop your paddle head (just like you would on a forehand) and swing from the bottom up.

In the screenshot above, you can see the paddle head pointing down towards the ground as the ball comes in. Dropping the head of the paddle this low ensures that the trajectory of the ball will go up instead of straight or down. This upward swing helps you add power and get the ball over the net.

As you can see in the below image: on the left, the paddle is up high, and on the right, it’s pointed down and ready to fire up and through the ball.

The backhand swing should begin up around your back ear, glide in a circle to get below the ball, and then up and into it. To practice, focus on this half to full circle motion to help you get used to dropping the paddle head before striking the ball.

Mistake #4 - Incorrect Use of Non-Dominant Arm

Your non-dominant arm helps deliver more power into shots and provides your body with a counterweight for better balance.

Consider watching someone walk on a balance beam. Do they walk rigidly with arms down at their sides, or do they lift them up to aid them? Typically, they lift their arms. Now, think of your non-swinging arm as you hit a pickleball. What does it do? You most likely use it, even if you're not meaning to, for the same reasons.

As our momentum goes forward into a shot, we naturally look for a way to stay on our feet and get in position for the next one.

The mistake players make then is not using their non-dominant arm as an assistant.

To resolve this, watch your non-swinging arm as you hit your backhand shots to see if it goes back or stays down at your side. Make a point to correct it and see how much more power and balance your shots have.

Mistake #5 - Eyes Off Contact Too Soon

Have you ever heard the phrase, "The body goes where the eyes are looking?" When we take our eyes off a shot too quickly, our bodies can move forward and up, which jerks the paddle ever so slightly. Essentially, that's what happens in this final mistake.

Right as contact is made, our eyes dart up to look at where the shot goes, and it causes us to mishit the ball.

You can see it demonstrated here:

Sure, you may get away with it from time to time, but eventually, it could cost you.

Try your best to keep your eyes down just a bit longer (maybe half a second!) as you make contact with the ball to resolve this issue.

Conclusion

Now that you've read about the five common mistakes, how many do you think you regularly commit during games? If you're unsure, record yourself playing next time to see.

Once you see the mistakes you're making, simply work on correcting them, and you might just surprise yourself with how strong of a shot your backhand becomes.

If you'd like to watch the full video from PrimeTime Pickleball, check it out here: 5 Common Backhand Mistakes Pickleball Players Make (At All Levels).

Good luck with developing your backhand swing and becoming a better pickleball player.