How do you create a proper kinetic chain on forehand pickleball shots like the dink and drive? I see a lot of “paddle tip down” techniques applied by many players, especially in the Intern and Manager Levels, which unfortunately isn’t a good method. You’re limiting the energy control to just the muscles in your arm, like the deltoid. You want to be able to use the whole kinetic chain in order to maximize power, control, and safety.
To amend this issue, start with the grip and thumb as a guide. Grab the paddle handle and make a hammering motion, like you’re installing a nail into the ground with the side of your paddle. The grip that feels the most sturdy and powerful while making that motion, begin with that.
As you’re continuing to grip the paddle as its tip is pointing down, straighten out your thumb. Then adjust it so there’s a straight vertical line from your shoulder to the tip of your thumb to the ground.
Notice how the paddle gets turned to the side. This position is perfect for allowing your paddle to receive energy from the ground all the way through the major muscle groups. When you swing, the kinetic energy successfully enters right pectoralis from your legs and core, then into the shoulder. That isn’t really possible with your paddle tip pointed down.
The reason is to keep the tip down, firstly, you have to break the line of your wrist. Furthermore, hitting to the side of your body, which would normally allow you to administer rotational kinetic energy, with the tip down is quite ineffective as the energy gets jammed in the pec and shoulder instead of transferring to your hand due to human biomechanics. Basically the arm gets moved in a way that puts a dam in the way of that energy flow. We’ll be releasing a video on our INSTAGRAM to visualize exactly what I mean.
I unfortunately do see coaches teaching this paddle tip down technique to beginners. While this may allow for quick success, this ends up severely limiting what these players are going to be capable of, especially on the offense and the soft dink game.
If you’re struggling with power and control with the forehand, and you notice your paddle tip is pointed down a majority of forehand situations, I would recommend making the big surgical switch the angled paddle.
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