Best tips for improving your forehand in pickleball

A powerful forehand in pickleball can make all the difference between a weak return and a dominant shot. If you have ever tried to hit the ball only to watch it soar over the fence or fire like a laser into the net, you know how frustrating it can be. 

The key to success is refining your technique through focused practice to truly master the art of a controlled drive like a pro. Start by adjusting your stance, keeping your feet shoulder-width apart, and gripping the paddle with an Eastern hold that allows a relaxed, yet firm, feel. A well-executed stroke requires you to rotate your hips and shoulders to generate maximum force while maintaining precision. 

At the top level, honing these skills gives you a competitive edge, making your shot unpredictable and harder for your opponents to catch off guard.

Beyond the basics, learning how to increase your shot variety and take control of the rally makes you a formidable and versatile player on the court. This article will break down the essential components, providing step-by-step guidance to refine your form with expert tips and practical advice. 

Best tips for improving your forehand in pickleball

By unleashing your full potential, you can elevate your game and make a real impact. An advanced game-changer move like the inside-out forehand can transform how you play with 3 player or more, giving you the upper hand against strong opponents. 

A good guide will help you explore footwork, gripping angles, and executing winning strategies. The best way to improve is to dive into focused drills, just like top coaches such as Barrett & Danea Bass showcase. 

With consistent effort, you’ll improve, take advantage of your opponent’s weaknesses, and aim for more controlled yet aggressive shots to become a true force in pickleball.

What Is a Forehand Drive in Pickleball?

A forehand drive in pickleball is a shot that players hit with power, keeping it low over the net to make it harder for opponents to return. Unlike a backhand, this stroke relies on the dominant hand and arm, where the palm naturally leads the paddle toward the ball. 

Those with a racket sports background may need to alter their technique slightly, while beginners must focus on practice to develop consistency. 

The forehand is an important tool for controlling the game, allowing players to attack effectively from the back of the court or adjust angles when facing an opposite shot.

Whether using a one-hander or adapting based on positioning, mastering this fundamental stroke can significantly enhance overall performance. Improve your serve short can also play a crucial role in setting up offensive opportunities, making it easier to dictate the pace of play

The fundamentals of the forehand in Pickleball

Building a strong foundation in pickleball starts with mastering the fundamentals of a well-executed forehand drive. 

A solid base is essential for developing a powerful, yet controlled, shot that can act as a true game-changer on the court. 

The key to a great shot lies in how well you control the pace and direction, applying the right amount of pressure to keep your opponents on the defensive. 

A proper breakdown of technique and footwork will allow you to execute this shot with accuracy. 

With the right learning approach and structured progressions, you can sharpen your skills and make your game more effective.

Hold your Paddle with the appropriate grip

A strong grip is essential for achieving optimal control and a smooth transition between forehand and backhand shots. 

The eastern grip is the most comfortable and widely known, allowing players to hold the paddle naturally while maintaining a powerful drive. 

To execute it correctly, imagine shaking hands with the paddle, creating a “V” shape between your thumb and index finger. 

Keep the paddle in a position where the face is nearly parallel to your palm, ensuring a flat surface when facing the ball. 

While the western grip, often called the “frying pan” hold, is an alternative for generating topspin, and the continental grip provides more flexibility, the eastern grip remains the ideal choice for most players. 

It’s the easiest way to start learning and managing your shots effectively on the court, especially when adjusting to different positions and playing styles.

Stance and Body Positioning

A strong stance and proper footwork are the foundation of a powerful pickleball game. 

Your legs and body movement determine how effectively you can react to incoming shots and maintain control. 

Start in a square position, keeping your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent to stay balanced. 

Keep your weight on the balls of your feet, allowing you to move laterally and adjust at any moment. 

Staying alert with a split step helps you prepare for quick exchanges on the net. Hold the paddle firmly near the throat with your non-dominant hand for added balance and stability. 

Maintaining a low center of gravity ensures you stay grounded and can powerfully return shots with accuracy. 

The key is to adopt an effective ready position that allows you to start each play quickly and keep control of the rally. 

A strong foundation ensures that every movement feels natural and efficient.

The Swing Mechanics

To execute an effective swing in pickleball, you must focus on both the loading phase and the follow-through. 

Start by rotating your hips and shoulders to create torque, ensuring your paddle is positioning slightly behind and above the ball. 

Keep your elbow slightly bent and close to your body as the ball approaches. 

As you step forward with your front foot, transfer your weight from the back foot while keeping your wrist firm. 

Make contact at the sweet spot of the paddle, then continue extending your arm fully, finishing high to maximize power and control. 

A proper follow-through enhances accuracy, consistency, and overall effectiveness of your forehand drive. 

Mastering these stages will help you hit cleaner, stronger shots with greater efficiency.

Swing – Loading Phase

Mastering the forehand in pickleball starts with generating power through proper body mechanics. 

As you prepare to strike, engage your torque by rotating your hips and shoulders, allowing for a smooth and controlled motion. 

Keep your elbow slightly bent and close to your body, ensuring stability and precision. 

Positioning the paddle correctly is key—hold it behind and slightly above the ball, forming a natural “C” shape with your arm to optimize control and follow-through. 

This technique helps maximize efficiency, giving you a solid and reliable forehand that delivers both speed and accuracy.

Swing – Contact and Follow-Through

A strong forehand in pickleball starts with proper rotation of your body, using torque to generate power as you step into the shot. 

As the ball approaches, position yourself by shifting your weight from your back foot to your front foot, ensuring balance and stability. 

A firm wrist helps maintain control, while a flat paddle face allows for a clean contact at the sweet spot, preventing a lack of force. 

Avoid sudden stops—instead, follow through with a smooth motion, fully extending your arm and finishing high to maximize consistency. 

Let your paddle move naturally, keeping the swing fluid and powerful, reducing the biggest reason many struggle with weak drives. 

By fully striking the ball and allowing your shoulders and hips to move in sync, you can improve control and precision effortlessly.

Shadow Swings

Building a reliable forehand drive starts with shadow swings, allowing you to develop muscle memory before ever hitting a ball. 

Stand in a slightly-open stance, whether fully open or just slightly open, ensuring you’re not fully closed for better movement. 

Hold your paddle at a 45° angle away from your body, then move it to the right, positioning it in front of your inside leg or inside knee. 

From there, bring the paddle up to your opposite shoulder in a smooth motion, making sure to repeat this action multiple times to reinforce technique. 

Practice without a ball, as this step-by-step approach helps recognize when a forehand drive is the best shot for the moment. 

Once comfortable, add movement and dynamics by engaging your legs, preparing for real-game scenarios with greater confidence.

Proper Footwork

A strong forehand in pickleball relies heavily on proper footwork to maintain balance, stability, and control throughout the stroke. 

Right-handed players should step forward with their left foot, while left-handed players should lead with their right foot, ensuring a key foundation for a powerful shot. 

The back foot plays an important role in staying behind the ball, allowing you to generate power and smoothly transition through the setup. 

A well-practiced unit turn helps position your feet correctly, while engaging in shadow swings builds muscle memory. 

Working with a partner to direct movement to the left, right, or a specific spot ensures natural flow and precision. 

To refine technique, run through progression drills where you repeat steps, establish new positions, and feed the ball consistently. 

If you want to become a professional pickleball player, watching slow-motion videos of top athletes can reinforce effective footwork and groundstroke execution, making each drill more comfortable and game-ready.

Strategy and Tactics to Score with Forehand

A powerful forehand in pickleball is not just about hitting the ball hard—it’s about using smart tactics to outplay your opponent with precise strategy. 

Practice and repetition are key to refining your drive technique, ensuring that each shot becomes more effective over time. 

Spend time working on every component, gradually increasing both speed and power to make your forehand a reliable weapon on the court. 

Strengthening muscle memory through drills will lead to noticeable improvements, making it easier to react under pressure. 

To further elevate your game, incorporate strategies that maximize control and consistency, allowing your forehand to dominate rallies effortlessly.

Targeting Weaknesses

A strong forehand drive is not just about power but also about smart strategies that help you exploit vulnerabilities in your opponent’s weaker side, usually their backhand. 

To make your shots more effective, think of each hitting opportunity like a chess move, using precise placement to force errors and set up aggressive plays. 

Practice with repetition to develop muscle memory, and spend time working on every component of your technique to build a reliable weapon on the pickleball court. 

Gradually increasing both speed and power will help refine your drive, and as you notice improvements, you’ll gain confidence in your ability to incorporate strategies that give you control over the game.

Depth and Placement

To gain better control over your game, aim for deep shots near the baseline to force your opponent to move farther from the net, making their return more difficult. 

Placing the ball with precision can limit their ability to respond effectively and create openings for softer shots. 

A well-placed shot can also increase pressure by limiting options for a strong return a serve or exposing gaps in the kitchen for a soft dink. 

Strategic placement helps keep your opponent on their toes, making it harder for them to anticipate your next move. 

Consistently using deep shots forces them to play further back, disrupting their rhythm and giving you more control over rallies.

Ball Control

Using topspin in your drives can complicate the game for your opponent by keeping the ball low and making its trajectory more challenging to read. 

This added spin helps in increasing the chances of forcing an unforced error, especially when your shot has a sharp downward dip. 

By drawing your opponent into awkward positions, you reduce their ability to make a strong return. 

The controlled spin not only enhances precision but also makes your shots unpredictable, keeping you in control of the rally and dictating the pace of play.

Variety and Disguise

To keep your opponent guessing, focus on mixing up the pace, direction, and spin of your shots to make it harder for them to predict your next move. 

Introducing variety in your power forehand by adjusting angles and speeds can disrupt their rhythm and keep them off-balance. 

The more you incorporate different shot selections in pickleball, the more difficult it becomes for your opponent to anticipate your play, giving you an advantage in fast-paced rallies.

Patience and Timing

A great drive in pickleball requires timing and patience to execute effectively. 

Instead of rushing, wait for the right moment to strike, such as when your opponent is out of position or sends a weak return. 

This opportunity allows you to drop a precise shot like a missile, making the difference between winning or losing a rally. 

Proper timing ensures your drive shot stays effective and can turn the tide of the game in your favor, keeping you in control of the point.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When working on your forehand in pickleball, avoiding common mistakes can make a huge difference in your performance. 

Many players overlook small details that can impact the effectiveness of their forehand drive. 

To ensure your shots are both powerful and accurate, focus on proper technique and balance. 

Paying attention to these tips will help you watch out for common errors that could reduce consistency and control in your game.

Over-Swinging and Control

Many players struggle with over-swinging, which often leads to a loss of control and reduced accuracy. 

This is usually the result of failing to follow through properly, causing them to overcorrect and do more harm than good. 

Instead of trying to swing too hard or overcompensating, focus on controlled swings with fluid motions to generate power while maintaining precision. 

Think of your arm like a whip, snapping through the shot in a smooth, relaxed motion, rather than forcing an unnatural stroke. 

By refining your movement, you can improve consistency and make each shot more effective.

Poor Ball Contact

Hitting the ball off-center often results in weak shots and a lack of precision. To ensure a clean strike, focus on practicing proper footwork and timing to position yourself correctly. 

Keeping your eye on the ball helps achieve precise contact with the center of the paddle face, which is crucial for optimal power and control. 

Maximizing the sweet spot generates better pop and prevents poor ball contact due to a misaligned body position or incorrect movement. 

If you’re not knowing where to hit, make a conscious effort to improve by adjusting your stance and ensuring you’re in the right position to hit the ball squarely at the moment of impact

Rushing the Shot

Trying to hit the ball quickly can lead to sloppy technique and less power, as many players make the common mistake of sacrificing control for speed. 

Instead of rushing the shot, take time to set up correctly, ensuring proper footwork, weight transfer, and paddle preparation. 

Remember, true power comes from a well-coordinated body movement, not just arm strength. A rushed power forehand often results in a misaligned stroke, where the mechanics get mixed up, causing a loss of control. 

To add power effectively, focus on working in harmony with your entire body, using trunk rotation to generate force without overexerting. 

Ultimately, a smooth, controlled motion will create more consistent and effective shots.

Inconsistent Stance

A shifting stance makes it difficult to develop muscle memory and a reliable shot, as constant adjustments prevent consistency. 

To improve, practice maintaining a balanced and stable position, keeping your feet shoulder-width apart with knees slightly bent. 

This solid foundation is key to generating power and maintaining control throughout your swing. 

If your stance frequently changes, it becomes hard to create a consistent shot, affecting both accuracy and timing. 

A steady stance not only improves shot execution but also helps with overall game performance by keeping movements smooth and efficient.

In Conclusion

Mastering your forehand in pickleball takes practice, patience, and a strong understanding of both topspin and slice to elevate your game significantly. 

A clean pickleball paddle grip and proper stance will help you execute your shots effectively, while focusing on the ball’s point of contact and follow-through ensures consistency.”

As you improve your technique, you’ll find yourself hitting winners and dictating the pace of play more often. 

Grab your paddle, step onto the court, and start practicing at the next level to develop the best version of your forehand.

FAQs

What is a forehand in pickleball?

The forehand is one of the most important shots in pickleball, as it utilizes your dominant hand and arm for maximum control and power. In this stroke, the palm naturally leads the paddle toward the ball, allowing for better accuracy and consistency. Mastering this fundamental shot is key to developing a strong offensive game and maintaining control over rallies.

How to hit a forehand roll pickleball?

To hit a forehand roll in pickleball, use a low-to-high swing while brushing up on the ball to create topspin. Keep a relaxed grip, let your paddle face stay slightly closed, and focus on smooth follow-through for control. The goal is to lift the ball over the net with spin, making it dip quickly and stay low on your opponent’s side.

How to improve your pickleball swing?

To improve your pickleball swing, focus on proper footwork, a relaxed grip, and a smooth follow-through. Use your entire body, not just your arm, by engaging your hips and shoulders for better power and control. Practice shadow swings, adjust your timing, and experiment with different angles and speeds to refine your technique.

How to hit topspin forehand in pickleball?

To hit a topspin forehand in pickleball, start with a low-to-high swing, brushing up on the ball with a slightly closed paddle face. Keep a loose grip, generate power from your hips and shoulders, and follow through high to ensure the spin kicks in. The topspin helps the ball dip quickly over the net and stay low, making it harder for your opponent to return.

How can I make my forehand stronger?

A strong forehand starts with the correct grip, ensuring you hold the racket in a way that conveys control and feel at the moment of contact when it strikes the ball. Engage your legs, using a coil and uncoil motion to generate power while staying balanced. Keeping your arm relaxed and your movements loose helps maintain fluidity, while focusing on a proper contact point out in front ensures better accuracy and consistency in your shots.

How to generate more power in pickleball?

To add power to your drive in pickleball, focus on proper technique by maintaining a strong stance and using hip rotation to create momentum. A firm wrist helps generate force, making your shots more powerful and controlled. Additionally, a proper grip and correct paddle angle are crucial for maximizing energy transfer and improving shot accuracy.

What forehand grip should I use in pickleball?

Many players start with the continental grip, positioning the base knuckle of the index finger on bevel number 2 for a versatile hold. However, the Eastern forehand grip, where the knuckle is placed on the 3rd bevel, is popular for generating topspin and power. Choosing the right grip depends on your playing style, but both options offer control and consistency for a strong forehand.