Forget Tennis! Pickleball Smashes Are Way More Fun

Pickleball has exploded in popularity over the last decade, with nearly 5 million players in the U.S. alone. Originally invented in 1965 as a children’s backyard game, pickleball has evolved into a competitive sport loved by people of all ages.

One of the most thrilling shots in pickleball is the smash – a hard overhead slam that crushes the ball down into the opponent’s court. For recreational players, smashing a pickleball is often more satisfying and accessible than unleashing a big tennis smash.

Let’s dive into why pickleball smashes are so much fun and tips to help you smash like a pro.

What Makes Smashing So Satisfying in Pickleball?

Smashing in pickleball offers a rush of adrenaline and feelings of dominance over your opponent. Here are some key reasons why smashing is extra enjoyable in pickleball compared to other racket sports:

• The smaller court – At 20×44 feet, a pickleball court is much more compact than a tennis court. This means you don’t need the power of a tennis pro to smash winners. Even average players can crush smashes from the kitchen line.
• Paddle and ball design – Pickleball paddles have a large surface area and the whiffle ball is lightweight. Together, this equipment allows all levels of players to generate ball speed with less effort compared to a traditional tennis racquet and ball.
• Scoring – Only needing to reach 11 points to win a game encourages aggressive play in pickleball. Smashing can enable quick points to run up the score.
• Serving rules – The underhand serve in pickleball gives the returner an offensive advantage. Smashing against weak underhand serves is very common.

Overall, pickleball’s smaller court, paddle/ball design, scoring and serving all favor aggressive net play and smashing compared to tennis. The satisfaction of delivering crushing overhead slams is a core part of pickleball’s fun and addiction.

• Why Third Shot Drop in Pickleball?
• Are Pickleball Machines Worth It?
• Why Does My Wrist Hurt When I Play Pickleball

Proper Forehand Smash Technique

Now let’s break down proper technique to deliver powerful forehand smashes:

• Stance – Start in an athletic position with knees bent, weight balanced, and paddle up. Lean your body forward slightly.
• Backswing – Bring the paddle high up and back behind your head. Keep your elbow up and rotate your shoulders away from the net.
• Weight transfer – Step forward with your opposite foot as you swing. Transfer weight from back to front foot.
• Contact point – Aim to make contact with the ball slightly in front and above your head. Hit with a downward diagonal swing.
• Follow through – Let your momentum carry the paddle all the way down and across your body. Follow through towards your target.
• Snap your wrist – Give an aggressive wrist snap at contact to generate maximum ball speed.
• Move your feet – Shuffle back into position after the smash. Quick footwork enables you to play the next shot.

Mastering these biomechanics takes repetition and practice. Start slow focusing on proper form before trying to smash hard.

Backhand Smash Technique

While forehand smashes are most common, your backhand can also unleash some heat:

• Grip – Choke up several inches on the handle to gain control for the backhand.
• Stance – Feet shoulder-width apart, weight on balls of feet. Shoulders open towards net.
• Backswing – Take paddle back and up perpendicular to shoulders with a slight bend in elbow.
• Uncoil – Rotate core and hips forward while driving paddle down and across your body.
• Wrist snap – Give sharp wrist snap at point of contact to generate power.
• Follow through – Allow follow through to carry paddle around and behind you.

The backhand smash requires precise timing and synchronization integrating your arm swing, core rotation, and wrist snap. Practice without a ball first until the motion feels fluid.

• What is Baseline in Pickleball?
• Can You Hit a Pickleball With Your Hand?
• Pickleball Scramble 101: Your Guide to This Fast, Fun Variation

How To Smash Like A Pro In Pickleball

Here are some key strategies and tips to smash like a pickleball pro:

• Move up to the kitchen line – You’ll have the most smashing success when inside the kitchen near the net. Don’t be shy, move up!
• Watch for weak returns – Look for high floating balls or slow paced shots to smash. Punish anything that bounces above the net.
• Dominate the middle – Smash down the middle between opponents to open up court space for your partner’s next shot.
• Aim crosscourt – Hit angled smashes crosscourt to pull opponents wider apart from each other.
• Go behind players – Blast smashes into the back corners when opponents are drawn up to the net.
• Strike quickly – Don’t let the ball drop. Attack high bouncing shots fast before they lose momentum.
• Disguise with dinks – Mix in drop shots and dinks to keep opponents guessing. Then smash if they start camping back.
• Approach from mid-court – You don’t need to be in the kitchen to smash. Move forward from mid-court and attack shorter balls.

With these pointers, you’ll be crushing smashes like a boss in no time!

Common Mistakes To Avoid When Smashing

It’s easy to get overexcited and mess up your form when going for a big smash. Here are some errors to avoid:

• Don’t swing across your body – This leads to less power and control. Swing straight overhead and down.
• Avoid off-balance leaning – Stay balanced over your feet. Don’t lean too far forward or backward.
• Don’t drop elbow – Keep elbow lifted up through entire backswing and contact for optimal leverage.
• Don’t swing too early – Wait until the ball reaches the peak of its bounce before starting your forward swing.
• Don’t hit too much under the ball – Steep smashes with too much undercut will sail long. Maintain a flatter trajectory.
• Don’t swing too hard – Control trumps speed. Focus on clean contact and accuracy over raw power.
• Don’t cross feet on follow through – Shuffle quickly back to center without crossing feet to prepare for the next shot.

With good technique and strategies, you’ll be dominating the net with crushing smashes in no time. Just remember to start slow and build up once the basics feel smooth. Your opponents won’t know what hit them!

• What is Face in Pickleball?
• What Do I Need to Start Playing Pickleball?
• Does Pickleball Require Running?

Frequently Asked Questions About Smashing in Pickleball

How do I know if I’m ready to start smashing in pickleball?

Focus on mastering control shots like the dink, drop shot, and serve before adding smashes. When you can reliably place shots, move your feet quickly, and read opponent shots, then start blending in some smashes. Don’t sacrifice technique or accuracy just to smash harder.

What type of paddle is best for smashing in pickleball?

Look for a midweight paddle around 7.0-8.3 ounces with a large surface area. Graphite face paddles also offer great pop and power for smashing. Edgeless paddles give you a larger sweet spot too. Paddletek Bantam EX-L and Selkirk Amped S2 are top choices.

How do I defend against a hard pickleball smash?

The best defense is positioning yourself deeper in the court to allow more time to react. For low hard smashes, block the ball right back into the kitchen using your paddle face to redirect pace. For high smashes, lob the ball high over the smasher’s head. This resets the point and takes away their offensive position.

Is smashing considered rude or poor etiquette in pickleball?

Not at all! Smashing is a totally valid and effective shot when executed properly. Crushing high bouncing shots demonstrates skill. Just avoid celebrating excessively or directing smashes violently at your opponent intentionally. Follow up smashes nicely to continue the rally.

How can I practice smashing shots consistently?

Work with a partner or coach who can feed you high balls to smash. Use a tennis hopper filled with pickleballs to practice smashing over and over. Solo practice against a backboard is also effective. Video record your swing to compare against proper technique. Over time, smashing will feel natural.

The Bottom Line

While tennis has fantastic rallies and strategic points, most average players will never experience the thrill of smashing a 100 mph serve like Serena Williams. Pickleball’s friendly equipment and compact court layout bring smashing down to earth for us amateurs. Even recreational players can smash with authority in pickleball and feel like a pro. That gratifying feeling when you crush a ball down into the kitchen for an undefendable winner is part of what makes pickleball so enjoyable.

So don’t be afraid to step up and smash the next time you have an overhead. With the right technique and practice, you’ll be unleashing adrenaline-pumping smashes in no time. Just remember to start slow and keep proper form as you build up power and confidence.

That sweet feel of the paddle crunching the whiffle at max force is one of pickleball’s greatest pleasures. So get out there and start smashing like a pro. Your opponents and teammates will be impressed, and your inner tennis pro dreams will be fulfilled through pickleball!

Resources:

• https://www.paddletek.com/blogs/news/pickleball-vs-tennis
• https://usapickleball.org/what-is-pickleball/official-rules/rules-summary/
• https://pickleball.si.com/guides/pickleball-vs-tennis-what-are-the-differences
• https://primetimepickleball.com/what-is-a-smash-in-pickleball/
• https://www.pickleheads.com/blog/how-to-play-pickleball
• https://columbiaassociation.org/racquet-sports/key-differences-between-tennis-and-pickleball/