“THERE ARE THREE BASIC PICKLEBALL PADDLE GRIPS IN PICKLEBALL”

A. Eastern Grip
This type of grip is recommended for beginners because the basic Eastern pickleball grip
is neutral or considered as universal. It allows you to hit both forehand and backhand shot using
the same grip. To find this Eastern pickleball grip, hold your pickleball paddle directly out in front
of you with your opposite hand, such that the paddle face is looking evenly to the left of your
body and to the right of your body. Take your hand that you are holding the pickleball paddle with
and place it on the face of the pickleball paddle.

B. Western Grip
A Western pickleball grip causes your palm to generally be behind the pickleball paddle
on a forehand, which results in powerful pickleball forehands. However, a Western pickleball grip
causes your palm to generally be in front of the pickleball paddle on a backhand, which means
that you will have little to no power on your backhand shots but hitting forehands with a greater
spin.

In doing the western grip, start from the eastern grip and turn your wrist 90 degrees
clockwise (right-handed) and counterclockwise for left-handed.

C. Continental Grip
This type of grip is also called a hammer grip because this type of holding the paddle is
likened to holding a hammer when hitting a nail.

In continental pickleball grip, start in an Eastern grip and turn your wrist counterclockwise
(right-handed) or slightly clockwise (left-handed). You will form a V-shape between your thumb
and your index finger which is slightly toward your non-paddle side. Continental pickleball grip
produces nice dinks and backhands.

“FUNDAMENTAL SKILLS IN PICKLEBALL”

❖ Overview

Pickleball is one of the paddle/racquet sports, the skill of how to hit the ball is one of the important things
to learn to play well. The way the ball is hit is called the stroke, while the shot is how the flight and
trajectory of the ball will be. The following are the different types of fundamental techniques that can be
used in executing various shots in pickleball.

❖ Fundamental Techniques
1. Low Forehand Stroke - the forehand is a stroke in which the inner side of the palm of the
dominant hand that is holding the paddle faces forward. It is made by swinging the paddle
across one's body in the direction of where one wants to land the ball. Forehand stroke
can be applied in executing a dink, volley, and lob shot.
2. Low Backhand Stroke - the backhand stroke is done with the swing of the paddle around
one's body with the back of the hand preceding the palm. This stroke can be applied in a
dink, volley, and a lob shot. Both the forehand and backhand strokes can deliver the ball
into a straight line or crosscourt manner.
3. Forehand Volley – is a shot using a forehand stroke, hitting the ball while in the air. Using
a forehand volley can send the ball either in a straight line or crosscourt manner.
 4. Backhand Volley - is a shot using the backhand stroke, hitting the ball before it touches
the floor. It can be used in sending the ball straight or down the line, or in a crosscourt
manner.
5. Overhead - is a technique of hitting the ball overhead with the face of the paddle. This
can be used for smashing the ball or sending the ball at the backcourt using a lob shot.
6. Forehand Swing - is a technique of hitting the ball using the basic forehand technique but
with the backswing motion and a follow-through. This basic technique is applied in
groundstroke drive shots and drop shots.
7. Backhand Swing - is a technique of hitting the ball using the basic backhand technique
with swing forward motion and a follow-through. This basic technique is applied in
delivering groundstroke and drop shots.

“DINK SHOT”
❖ Overview
One of the most unique characteristics of pickleball that makes it different from
paddle/racquet sports is the so-called dink shot. Learning to dink in pickleball is an important
strategy for winning because it allows players to control the pace, exploit opponents' weaknesses,
and maintain consistency. It is also crucial for beginners and kids, as it helps them develop control,
build confidence, and learn strategy.

❖ Dink Shot
A dink shot is a soft shot from the non-volley zone of the pickleball court intended to arc
over the net and land over the non-volley zone of the opponent's court. It can be delivered either
straight or cross-over. This shot slows down the rally and makes your opponent commit an error
by your setup.

The dink shot is done from a ready stance, player just behind the line of the non- volley
zone. Contact the ball in front of the body with the paddle face open, using a gentle lifting (pushing)
motion. The shot is soft and controlled with movement from the shoulder, no wrist break, and
minimal or no backswing to avoid sending the ball high. Dink shot can be done in a straight or
crosscourt manner.

A. Forehand Dink Shot

This is done by hitting the ball with the forehand face of the paddle, pushing the ball
straight over the net or cross-court.

B. Backhand Dink Shot

This is done by hitting the ball with the backhand side of the paddle without any
backswing and wrist action to send it over the net and land in the non-volley zone on the
opposite side of the court. The ball can be sent straight or cross-court.
 “VOLLEY SHOT”

❖ Overview
One of the exciting parts of playing pickleball is the "shoot out", which is the fast exchange
back and forth of the ball with four players using the volleying technique. A volley simply refers to any
time a player hits the ball on the fly. Essentially, you do not let bounce once on your side even though
that is allowed.

Volleying is important whether you are playing a singles game or a doubles game: because
you are taking the ball on the fly, and you are taking valuable time away from your opponent to get
ready to receive your shot. Often you can get higher contact points with a volley which allows you to
hit down into your opponents' court.

❖ Volley Shot
A volley shot is hitting the ball in the air before it has the chance to bounce onto the court.
It is often used when at the non-volley zone line to return a ball hit hard and low over the net.
This may be delivered either straight or cross-over. It is important to hit the ball when it is between
waist and shoulder height and keep your paddle closer to your body when hitting the ball.
The basic volley is hit with a backhand or a forehand depending on the direction of the
ball towards the player. The backhand stroke tends to be more common since a ball coming at
some part of your body is most easily hit with a backhand. Volleying the ball with the forehand is
more difficult.

A. Forehand Volley Shot - This is a volley shot with the forehand side with the paddle. From
a ready stance, hold your paddle at the 10 or 11 o'clock position. Hit the ball with the face
of the paddle, swing your arm from the shoulder, and use the hammer grip to create a
vertical angle of the paddle. Remember to keep your wrist tight when hitting the ball, and
do not do a backswing before hitting the ball.

B. Backhand Volley Shot - This is a volley shot with the backhand side with the paddle. From
a ready stance, hold the paddle at the 10 or 11 o'clock position, use the hammer grip. Hit
the ball with the backhand swing of the arm.

❖ Remember the following to make your volleying good at play:

1. Maintain an athletic stance.
2. Hold your line.
3. Hold your paddle at 10 or 11 o'clock.
4. Use the hammer grip to create a vertical angle.
5. Adjust your grip pressure based on your court position.
6. Swing from the shoulder, not the wrist.
7. Do not swing behind your shoulder.
8. Keep your volleys low.
9. Do not respond to low volleys with power.
 “DROP SHOT”
❖ Overview
Pickleball is not only dynamic in nature, but it is also widening your perspective in
different skills that can be developed or acquired by pickleball enthusiast, players, and coaches
who consistently immerse themselves in the gameplay. Different sports promote different skills,
techniques, and strategies that can extremely benefit players performance. Likewise, skills in
pickleball are very diverse in nature where players are greatly challenged by each unique skill.

In this lesson, one skill in pickleball plays a very important role in creating element of
surprise for the opponent and this is "Drop Shot".

Practice is essential in mastering the mechanics of the drop shot in pickleball. Teachers,
students, coaches, and players must try varying the height and placement of shots to keep the
opponent's guessing and improve overall finesse and control. Players, teachers, and coaches must
remember that a well-executed drop shot can disrupt your opponent's rhythm and create a better
position to win the point. A drop shot in pickleball is a delicate and strategic shot that involves
placing the ball softly near the baseline into the opponent's court.

❖ Mechanics of Drop Shot:

1. Keep your eyes on the ball.
2. Maintain a good and balance position.
3. Be sure to hold your paddle in 12:00 o clock position and relax.
4. Handle the paddle where you are most comfortable.
5. Always remember that timing is one of the most important approaches in the game.
6. Face the net.
7. You must hit the ball using your underhand motion in front of the body.
8. Be mindful to have it in arc movement over the net.
9. The ball should have an arc position before it reaches to the net.
10. The ball must land near the opponent's feet or just near the NVZ line.
11. Always anticipate the play no matter how challenging the drop shot is.

“FOREHAND & BACKHAND GROUNDSTROKES”

❖ Overview
Pickleball is very dynamic in nature. Based on research, it is an integration of three popular
sports which are Lawn Tennis, Table Tennis, and Badminton. Having a good understanding of
these sports and combining the different skills to pickleball is surely an enjoyable experience
whether recreational or competitive.

This lesson tackles one skill with two aspects - the forehand groundstroke and the backhand
groundstroke. The groundstroke in pickleball refers to hitting the ball after it has bounced on the
court. The player's intention must be very clear and precise because executing groundstroke
allows players to earn a point and eventually win the game.

❖ Groundstrokes
There are two strategies or technique in groundstroke that players take serious advantage.
Groundstroke can be hit in down the line motion/direction or cross court. This lesson aims to help
you understand the three themes of teaching groundstrokes in pickleball such as technique
development, consistency and placement, and adaptability and strategy. Each theme has a
specific purpose that can highly benefit coaches, teachers, players, and students if applied it
 correctly and properly. The provided video shows the basic approach in executing the
groundstroke for forehand and backhand. Basically, this combination depends on how you will
approach the game based on your strategy.

❖ Mechanics of Groundstrokes
1. Keep your eyes on the ball.
2. Maintain a good and balance position.
3. For a ready position, be sure to hold your paddle in 12:00 o clock position and relax
with open stance.
4. Handle the paddle where you are most comfortable.
5. Always remember that timing is essential.
6. Face the net.
7. Hit the ball using your underhand motion in front of the body.
8. Be mindful to hit the ball at the center of your paddle and maintain perfect
coordination while hitting the ball in a groundstroke motion.
9. Have a good target either hitting the ball down the line or cross court.
10. Repeat the motion in using your backhand ground stroke position.

“SERVICE”

❖ Introduction
A service in pickleball is putting the ball into play. It aims to strike the pickleball over the net
and diagonally across the court and landing beyond the 7- foot non volley zone in front of the net of
the opponent's service court area. Pickleball service is an underhand motion, that is, the paddle
coming from below the waist and held below the wrist while both feet behind the back line. The server
may hit the ball with either a forehand or backhand motion. Note that overhead serve such done in
lawn tennis is not allowed.

During the serve, at least one foot must remain in contact with the ground behind the baseline
upon point of contact with the ball. Neither of the server's feet may touch the pickleball court on or
inside the baseline, or on or outside of the imaginary extension lines of the applicable sideline or
centerline. Further, the server is not permitted to jump and serve at the same time.

❖ There are two ways in serving Pickleball.

A. VOLLEY SERVE
In a volley serve, the player may toss or release the ball and hit it before the ball bounce
on the court. In performing the volley serve, consider the following:
1. Toss the ball into the air before hitting may provide the server more time and
space to hit the ball at a higher point of contact.
2. Remember that the server has 10 seconds to hit the ball after the score has
been called. In case of a bad toss, the server is allowed not to hit the ball. The
player can re-do the toss within 10 seconds’ allowable time.
3. Remember that a spin in tossing the ball is forbidden in pickleball.

B. DROP SERVE
Another way of pickleball service is the drop serve. Initially it was introduced to players
with physical disability, like for a player with only one arm and was eventually allowed as an option
in pickleball service.
 In a drop serve, the server must drop or release the pickleball from any natural height,
either by using hand or letting the pickleball roll from the paddle, and then hit the ball after the
pickleball bounces on the court.

❖ Service faults in Pickleball

The Official Rulebook for pickleball provides the calls of fault or violation in the service. A
fault or violation may cause a loss of serve or lose the rally. Below are considered faults in
pickleball service based on the USAPA Official Rulebook.

1. Foot Fault
Service foot faults are measured when the server's paddle contacts the pickleball.
A service foot fault will occur if, at the point of contact on the serve:
a. At least one foot is not in contact with the ground behind the baseline;
b. Any foot touches the baseline or any area inside of the baseline; or
c. Any foot touches the area on or outside of the imaginary extension lines of the
applicable sideline or centerline.

2. Illegal Serve
The serve is called illegal following these conditions:
a. The server serves from in wrong serving area.
b. Incorrect player on the serving team serves the pickleball (in doubles)
c. The server uses an illegal serving motion.
d. The served pickleball lands anywhere outside the proper service court
regardless whether the pickleball touches the net or net cord (there are no
service lets in pickleball). The proper service court includes the baseline, sideline,
and centerline, but does not include the Non- Volley Zone or the Non-Volley
Zone line. As a result, if the served pickleball lands in theFundamentals of
Pickleball: A Handbook for Physical Education Teachers and Students non-Volley
Zone, or on the non-Volley Zone line, then the server will have committed . fault.
e. The server strikes the pickleball for the serve before the entire score (all three
score numbers, such as 0-0-2, in doubles pickleball) is called.
f. The served pickleball touches any permanent object (other than the net) before
hitting the ground.
g. The served pickleball touches the server (or the teammate) and anything that
the server (or his or her partner) is wearing or holding.
h. After the server's paddle makes contact with the pickleball for the serve, the
server (or his or her partner) either calls a timeout or asks the referee to confirm
the score. In other words, once the pickleball has been served, neither the server
nor the teammate may call timeout or ask the referee to confirm the score.