How to Put Spin on Your Pickleball Shots: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
There has been so much discussion on the pickleball spin serve this last year. It has been slowly changing the game as professional and advanced players develop new techniques to impart spin to their serve. Pro pickleball players have taken it to the next level in order to win more points in pickleball games by spinning the ball for volley serves. However, a new rule has resulted from their innovation, as the serve was only ever meant to open the game, and players are no longer allowed to spin the ball prior to the ball making contact with the paddle (similar to table tennis).
This isn’t to say that players can’t spin the ball with paddle motion alone, such as during a drop serve. They can also hit topspin, backspin, or sidespin on other types of pickleball shots, such as lobs, groundstrokes, and the 3rd shot drop without worry.
The question remains on how spin factors into the fundamentals of the game at different levels of competition.
Beginners
Almost every shot in pickleball has some spin on the ball. Spin means that the ball rotates in the air after hitting it. Because we are hitting what is essentially a whiffle ball which is light and airy, it is difficult to hit a flat shot or one without rotation.
When you couple this with a paddle having a somewhat gritty surface, every shot hit in a game has some rotation or spin. Beginners shouldn’t worry too much about developing excessive spin - but should focus instead on how to properly wield their pickleball paddle and aim to get better pickleball shots on the court, particularly drop serves and dinks at the net. First -master the basics and work to develop a consistent game where you can keep a rally going.
If you’re still a beginner but have mastered most of the basics and are on your way to being an intermediate player, focus on developing topspin first, as it can be used for any shot in the game.
To hit a topspin:
Start with your paddle held low as the ball approaches.
Bring your paddle up and forward.
Make contact with the bottom half of the ball.
Use your follow-through momentum to brush the ball forward.
Intermediate
At the intermediate level, I see players trying to purposely hit shots with spin. These can be top spin shots where the ball rotates forward, drops quickly, and then bounces high. Another shot is the slice shot with underspin that stays low to the ground after it bounces. Finally, I see them practicing side spin shots which can take a bounce to the left or right. Side spin shots may also contain topspin or underspin, so they can be unpredictable.
The question is, whether intermediate players should be focused on hitting shots with spin? I would say yes, as each of these shots have its place on the pickleball court. You can beat beginners by hitting with spin, as they do not know where the ball is going. However, practice these shots outside of drop-in play or competitions. You do not want to give up consistency in your game because you are trying to excessively spin the ball.
To hit a ball with sidespin:
Focus on carving the ball, meaning you contact the ball at an angle to cut across it.
As it leaves your paddle and is propelled over the net, the angle at which you cut it will cause the ball to sidespin at a low trajectory
Advanced
By the time you get to the advanced level, hitting shots with spin should be natural. However, they do not have as much of an effect against other advanced players when compared to lower-level opponents. Every advanced player has learned to read the spin on the ball.
However, spin can still be used to your advantage at this level. I recommend using a slice forehand and backhand to return the ball on or near the baseline after my opponent serves. Even good players will hit a weak third shot every now and again, so I can have the advantage in the point.
Watch this video to learn the proper mechanics of a forehand slice:
How to Do a Forehand Pickleball Slice
There are many ways of manipulating a pickleball ball with spin, but most of them have to do with where the paddle face makes contact with the ball, and the strength and angle that is part of the follow-through. It’s important to eventually learn about the different types of spin and how to spin balls with your paddle so you can anticipate how the ball will move when faced against opponents who have many spin shots in their arsenal.
If you don’t have a pickleball coach, consider watching pickleball videos so you can see the proper form in action. Take it onto the court with your pickleball partner or purchase or rent a pickleball practice machine that is able to hit balls with spin. Just as with every sport, practice is required, but the results are well worth it.
