Groundstrokes. What, When, Why and How.

In pickleball, a groundstroke is any shot hit after the ball bounces once on the court, typically from the baseline or mid-court. Groundstrokes are crucial for maintaining rallies, transitioning from defense to offense, and setting up winning shots. Understanding when, why, and how to hit groundstrokes will significantly improve your ability to control the game.

1. What is a Groundstroke?

A groundstroke in pickleball is a shot hit after the ball has bounced on the ground. Groundstrokes are typically categorized as:

• Forehand Groundstroke: Hit with the dominant side of your body (right side for right-handed players, left side for left-handed players).
• Backhand Groundstroke: Hit with the non-dominant side of your body, using the back of your hand (right-handed players hit backhands on the left side, and vice versa).

Groundstrokes can be hit with different spins, speeds, and placements depending on your strategy and the situation in the game.

2. When to Hit a Groundstroke?

• Returning Serves: Groundstrokes are used when returning serves, as the ball must bounce before you hit it.
• Baseline Play: Groundstrokes are common when you’re positioned near the baseline, typically during the start of rallies or when your opponent has hit a deep shot.
• Third-Shot Drops or Drives: After receiving a serve, the third shot in the rally is often a groundstroke, which can be either a drive or a drop shot.
• Mid-Court/Transition Zone Play: Groundstrokes are used in the transition zone when you’re moving from the baseline toward the kitchen line, especially when your opponent forces you to hit while moving forward.

3. Why Hit a Groundstroke?

• Maintain Rallies: Groundstrokes allow you to keep the ball in play while positioning yourself for future shots.
• Control the Pace: A well-executed groundstroke gives you control over the speed and direction of the rally. You can either slow the point down with a soft shot or speed it up with a powerful drive.
• Dictate Positioning: Groundstrokes help you push your opponent back or move them side to side. By placing the ball deep in the court or to the corners, you can control your opponent’s positioning and force them into weaker shots.
• Set Up Winning Shots: Groundstrokes are often used to set up offensive opportunities, like a volley at the net or an overhead smash.

4. How to Hit a Groundstroke

1. Preparation

• Grip:
  • Forehand Grip: Use an eastern or semi-western grip for forehand groundstrokes. This allows for good power and control, with the ability to add topspin if needed.
  • Backhand Grip: For a backhand groundstroke, you can use a continental grip (for a slice or flat shot) or a more traditional backhand grip (for topspin).
• Stance:
  • Open Stance: Your feet are positioned facing slightly sideways, but more open to the net, which is good for quick shots when you don’t have much time to prepare.
  • Closed Stance: This is more traditional, where your non-dominant foot is closer to the net, allowing you to transfer weight more effectively for powerful, precise shots.
• Ready Position: Start with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, paddle out in front of you. This helps you react quickly to your opponent’s shot.

2. Footwork

• Move to the Ball: Good footwork is crucial for hitting an effective groundstroke. As the ball approaches, shuffle your feet to get into the right position. Ideally, you want to get behind the ball, so it’s in front of you when you make contact.
• Stay Balanced: As you approach the ball, stay low with your knees bent and weight balanced on the balls of your feet. Avoid lunging or reaching, which can throw you off balance.

3. Swing Mechanics

• Forehand Groundstroke:

  1. Backswing: Start by turning your shoulders and bringing the paddle back with your dominant hand. The paddle should be slightly below the height of the ball, ready to swing forward.
  2. Contact Point: Aim to make contact with the ball in front of your body, ideally around waist height. Your paddle face should be slightly open or flat, depending on the type of shot you want to hit.
  3. Follow-Through: After hitting the ball, follow through with your swing. Your paddle should finish high, around shoulder level. This ensures good control and depth on the shot.

• Backhand Groundstroke:

  1. Backswing: Turn your shoulders so your non-dominant shoulder is facing the net. Bring the paddle back across your body with a compact backswing.
  2. Contact Point: Hit the ball in front of your body, using a flat or slightly open paddle face.
  3. Follow-Through: Follow through across your body with your paddle finishing around shoulder height.

4. Adding Spin

• Topspin: To hit with topspin, brush up on the ball with a low-to-high swing. This makes the ball dip down quickly after crossing the net, giving you more control, especially on aggressive shots.
• Slice/Backspin: For a slice or backspin, use a high-to-low motion. This makes the ball stay low and float, which is useful for defensive shots or when you want to disrupt your opponent’s rhythm.

5. Placement

• Deep to the Baseline: Hitting the ball deep into your opponent’s court keeps them pinned back, preventing them from moving to the kitchen line and attacking.
• Angle Shots: Angle your groundstrokes to move your opponent side to side. This can open up the court for your next shot or force your opponent into a difficult position.
• Soft Drop Shot: A well-placed drop shot just over the net can force your opponent to move forward, taking them out of position and opening up the court for a winning shot.

5. Key Tips for a Successful Groundstroke

• Watch the Ball: Keep your eyes on the ball from the moment it leaves your opponent’s paddle until contact. This helps with timing and ensures solid contact.
• Follow Through: Always follow through after hitting the ball. This ensures you have control over the direction and speed of your shot.
• Footwork First: Focus on getting into the right position before hitting the ball. Good footwork allows you to hit the ball with more control and precision.
• Vary Your Spin and Depth: Mix up your groundstrokes by adding topspin, backspin, and varying the depth of your shots. This keeps your opponent guessing and makes it harder for them to anticipate your next move.

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overhitting: Trying to hit groundstrokes too hard often results in loss of control, causing the ball to go out of bounds. Focus on placement and control, especially when you're under pressure.
• Not Moving Your Feet: Failing to get into the proper position is a common mistake. Avoid reaching for the ball; instead, move your feet to get behind the ball and hit it from a balanced position.
• Incorrect Contact Point: Hitting the ball too close to your body or too far in front can lead to mishits. Aim to hit the ball in front of your body for maximum control.

7. Drills to Improve Your Groundstroke

• Shadow Swings: Without a ball, practice the motion of your forehand and backhand swings. Focus on your footwork, contact point, and follow-through to develop muscle memory.
• Baseline Rally Drill: With a partner, practice hitting groundstrokes back and forth from the baseline. Focus on consistency, placement, and depth.
• Topspin/Backspin Drill: Practice hitting topspin and backspin groundstrokes, alternating between the two. This will improve your ability to vary your shots and control the ball.

Conclusion:

The groundstroke is one of the most fundamental shots in pickleball, allowing you to maintain rallies, control the pace of play, and set up offensive opportunities. By focusing on proper footwork, technique, and placement, you can make your groundstrokes consistent and effective, whether you're hitting a forehand or backhand. Mastering this shot will give you more control over the game and improve your ability to move from defense to offense.