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Pickleball Spin: The Basics

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I pickleballed my way from Florida to California last month in “The Pickleball Guru Van” (as my daughter has called it since she was two).  Along the way there were several questions about how to deal with spin.  Since my dance moves are limited, I’ll stick with pickleball spin. 🙂

When someone is firing a spin, how do you know which one’s coming?
It’s actually surprisingly straightforward.  Your opponent’s paddle tells you what to expect.
If the paddle moves from up high down to the side, it’s a SIDE SPIN.  
If the paddle comes from under the ball and rolls up, it’s a TOP SPIN. 
The most commonly used spins in pickleball are the SIDE SPIN  and the TOP SPIN.

PICKLEBALL SPIN: SIDE SPIN

Your opponent hits a side spin on a serve or return of serve.  Which way will the ball go after the bounce?
It’s all about handedness.  A right handed player slices and the ball goes to your left after the bounce.  A left handed player slices and the ball goes to your right.  The side spin balls tend to skip when they bounce.  
The spin slice is mostly used from the back of the court rather than the NVZ.  Top level players use it in a cross court dink duel in hopes of forcing the opponent to strike the ball at a lower point.

PICKLEBALL SPIN: TOP SPIN

You see your opponent take the paddle from low to high. Get ready for the top spin.
This ball tends to pop up after the bounce.
The top spin is generally used between mid-court and NVZ, but is most effective only when or if the ball is within 4-8 inches from the top of the net.  Any higher and it gives the opponent a chance for a slam.

Don’t use a top spin in a serve because the point of impact of your serve needs to be lower than your navel, which is difficult to do hitting a top spin.

 SIDE SPIN  and TOP SPIN  So how do you hit these spin shots?   

Any spin shot that comes your way gets hit in the same manner.  Slow down. Bend your knees.  Watch the ball pop high or skip to a side.  After it reaches the peak and starts falling–that’s when you strike.  On the way down because the spin has spun itself out!

Once you’ve become comfortable with receiving and giving spins, move to the next level.  Strike the ball right after the bounce–on a half volley or short hop.  This early hit stops the spin action—something I learned from playing Cricket.

If you want to review this information and read more, check out my original post: How to Play Against Someone Who Spins the Ball

Then, go and try it out.  Let me know how you do.  And remember.  No matter what, life is short and it’s only pickleball, so have fun with it.

 

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Comments

  1. What I my best strategy playing against a tall 6’2” player that slams the ball down at you all the time other than trying to keep the ball low toward his feet when you return it? Thanks……Paul

    Reply

  2. Hi and thanks for all you do!
    You said “A right handed player slices and the ball goes to your left after the bounce. A left handed player slices and the ball goes to your right.”

    That is only half the story – depending on which side of the ball the right hander is hitting, and whether it is a forehand or backhand, the bounce can go left or right. I (right handed) slice a backhand so it hops to the receiver’s right and a forehand slice hops to their left. I think you were simply describing a forehand slice and ignoring the backhand.

    Reply

      • I like everyone to know what a classy guy u are. Last November , on Sunday, you gave a clinic in Reno, NV at a gym called Evelyn Mount”
        About 6 of us usually play at that gym but we didn’t know you had rented the whole gym for your clinic.

        Without hesitation you offered us space at the other end of the basketball court so we could play.

        I for one was very impressed with your generosity.

        Thank you again

        Reply

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