What is a pickleball groundstroke?

As you begin to improve your pickleball game, you will want to learn about all the techniques and skills you can learn to begin to raise your rating. The pickleball groundstroke will be an important shot to learn and begin to control your game. There are two main types of pickleball groundstrokes you will want to learn: the forehand groundstroke and the backhand groundstroke.

Forehand groundstroke

The forehand groundstroke will be one of your most powerful and accurate shots, because you have a lot of control at this angle. Here are some tips for mastering the pickleball forehand groundstroke:

• Do not reach for the ball. When you see where it is headed, move your feet instead and meet the ball in your “ready position.”

• Staying in the ready position, pivot your shoulders and hips so that the shoulder of the arm not holding the paddle is facing the incoming ball. From here, begin your backswing with your paddle arm.

• Use your front foot to step forward toward the ball. Contact the ball in front of your body, and attempt to do so before the ball reaches the top of its bounce.

• Follow through after hitting the ball, and then return to the ready position.

Backhand groundstroke

The pickleball backhand groundstroke is used mainly when the ball is closer to the opposite side of your paddle arm. Here are some tips on the backhand groundstroke in pickleball:

• Move your feet into your ready position, do not reach for the ball.

• Pivot your shoulders and hips to the side, and move your paddle shoulder toward the ball.

  • The ball will be approaching your non-paddle arm.

• Bring your paddle across your body, then shoulder to head high.

• Use your front foot to step forward, and hit the ball in front of your body.

  • Keep your weight on your front foot.

  • Try to hit the ball before it reaches the top of its bounce.

• Follow through after hitting the ball, and then return to the ready position.

Perfecting the pickleball groundstroke

As you learn to play pickleball, there are a lot of things to remember and perfect. But when you are ready, the pickleball groundstroke can enhance your game in an important way.

Learning when to use the groundstroke will help you on your way to becoming a pickleball expert.