Player lunging forward to reach a low ball near the kitchen line, lit against a dark background

The Key to the Backhand Counter

Summary

Emma Cook’s tip for the backhand counter is all about economy: keep the swing very short and compact.

As she puts it, don’t waste time, because you don’t have it, especially in a hands battle. When the ball comes at you fast at the kitchen line, any extra backswing is time you can’t afford. A short, compact stroke keeps your counter quick enough to stay in the exchange.

Key takeaways

  • Keep the backhand counter swing short and compact
  • Time is what you’re short of in a hands battle
  • Any extra backswing costs time you don’t have

Action items

  • Do a fast backhand-only volley exchange with a partner, keeping every swing compact
  • If you’re late on backhand counters, check the size of your backswing first

Get the 5 best pickleball tips every week

Subscribe free

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *