Blocking Fundamentals: Short Punch, Paddle Out Front, Aim Their Feet

Summary

Pickleball Kitchen’s Level 1/4 blocking primer starts with the punch block: paddle out in front, short backswing, short follow-through.

You’re borrowing the opponent’s pace and adding just enough of your own to send it back. Big backswings and long follow-throughs are the fundamental mistake. Stay calm, watch the ball, treat hard drives as opportunities, and aim the paddle toward their feet so the block dies low.

Key takeaways

• Punch block: paddle out front, minimal backswing and follow-through
• Use their pace (+ a little of yours) — don’t take a big cut
• Point the paddle at their feet so blocks stay low and awkward

Action items

• Partner drives from transition; you only punch-block — miss counts if you take a big swing
• Side-view film 10 blocks — check backswing length