Connor Garnett just put out a video on RUclips on the various two-handed backhand shots. I watch a LOT of pickleball content on RUclips and Connor’s video did a great job breaking down the key points that makes him successful and there were a few tips I haven’t heard before. It’s a great compliment to James’ advice. My takeaways: Putting my left index finger on the paddle face (I’m right-handed) is much more comfortable and gives more control and confidence in where the paddle face is facing, which surprised me. Also, putting my heel on the ground, then toe down, to ensure my momentum is going forward when swinging feels much better.
James this format is great! So many players want play insight. Already plenty of podcasts addressing the drama and info around pickleball. Keep doing this.
Great stuff as always! The two handed backhand return (similar to the drive) was how I got most comfortable. Forcing myself to hit returns with two hands and getting those reps in every game instead of running around my forehand.
these are BANGER episodes. keep them coming. people don't do enough to explain the why behind the what. it's all good if it goes long. i rather hear more details than less. there's a huge need for more strategy explanations IMO
As a righty -- when you're practicing one handed lefty do you keep your left hand where it would be as if you were doing a 2h bh (choked up on the grip -- ping pong style like cassidy or dawson) or are you literally pretending you're left handed and holding the grip down towards the bottom like an actual left handed player?
Great question. I think it helps the most to do both. What’s most helpful is Cassidy style as you said. But getting comfortable hitting it as a true lefty forehand from the bottom of the grip, also helped me I believe. So I think there’s no harm in doing both
Thank you for these great nuggets. I forwarded this to 3.5 players I play with. I think your advice is "ever green" in that it will work for many players at a wide variety of ability. Coming from playing tennis with a two handed backhand this was a natural way for me to hit from the baseline. I still find it much easier to hit down on the ball from my backhand side with one hand as the additional hand changes the arc of my swing and slows down the swing. I have watched ALW hit these aggressive two handed backhand volleys and have tried to hit them but prefer using one hand which I can snap better.
They James, so I just got the tyson Mcguffin selkirk paddle ( gold and white) the one you used. My question is so u have an edge guard on urs? It looks like u do...they don't come with edge guards but do u have a custom edge guard on urs or is it just stock?
Imma be real, that was some really good advice on 3rd shot options and dink patterns. I look forward to trying it on the court. I wanna give feedback for improvement in the future but for this one keep up the good stuff.
Such great insight! When you use a 2 handed backhand in transition, are you still making it more of a left hand shot? Or is it more of a right hand shot w/ left hand just for stability? Or does it depend on the speed of the ball coming at you?
James, excellent suggestions. Thank you. Queston: Other than lobbing from the NVZ line when all players are neutual, do you see any time lobbing is appropriate for advanced players?
Get your you know what on the court, and re-do this video with racquet in hand. I have to learn how do your backhand dink. Working on it. Great content.
Thanks James, I got a lot of good information out of this episode as I've been working on my 2-handed backhand. I'm a right handed player and I like how you describe the two handed back hand drive as more of left handed forehand because that is how I've been practicing the shot. My question for anyone using two handed play is do you find it works to block at the net with the back side of the paddle. Meaning you are now playing at the net with your off-hand (in my case left) near the throat of the paddle. It just seems to put the paddle in a perfect position to defend my right hip and right shoulder and the grip is very comfortable and it's easy to shift back to two hands grip (with dominate right hand on bottom) as needed. Thoughts? Pros? Cons?
So you’re saying it’s functioning as more of a two handed forehand because you’ve flipped the paddle around and it’s on the right side of your body, right?
Correct the paddle is flipped around to the right side of the body and the bottom right hand drops off the paddle (sorry didn't make that clear) so the movement is really a left handed attacking volley, flick, or reset. But the left hand would be positioned at the throat of the paddle. This could be used to defend a ball coming at the right armpit or close to the right hip areas.@@jamesignatowichpickleball
For someone that's always strictly used the continental grip, would you recommend using eastern on serves and drives to get more topspin, and switching to continental at the kitchen line?
I see a lot of how to tutorials but I’m not sure what I should be actually focusing on as a new player. I’m probably 3.5 playing about 5-10 hours a week the last 3-4 months. What would you actually recommend me focusing on? No tennis background.
Your answer about when to drive and drop I think is right for pro. But in rec play I think you should probably smoke a short return. People just can’t handle the pace of a drive from up close as well in that range. Then drop everything behind that unless it right on the baseline, and then like you said drive it and fish for an easier 5th.
So I’ve been playing with the 2 hander. I find it hard to mentally go 2 handed when it’s out wide to counter verse one handed. Seems when I put 2 hands on my paddle I can’t release the other hand. Maybe over time I will just get use to? Do you hold the paddle one handed at the kitchen then go 2 handed last second to counter out wide?
Riley Newman somehow seems to keep both hands on the paddle for the backhand volley even when the ball is drilled right at him. Is a special case because of his right hand is in a pancake grip?
Hey papa Jimmy, I just had my serve clocked in at 64 mph, but I'm missing it deep by about 6 inches. My question for you is how do I get a girlfriend? Thanks Dad.
Your long-winded answers are your best answers.
Connor Garnett just put out a video on RUclips on the various two-handed backhand shots. I watch a LOT of pickleball content on RUclips and Connor’s video did a great job breaking down the key points that makes him successful and there were a few tips I haven’t heard before. It’s a great compliment to James’ advice.
My takeaways: Putting my left index finger on the paddle face (I’m right-handed) is much more comfortable and gives more control and confidence in where the paddle face is facing, which surprised me.
Also, putting my heel on the ground, then toe down, to ensure my momentum is going forward when swinging feels much better.
James this format is great! So many players want play insight. Already plenty of podcasts addressing the drama and info around pickleball. Keep doing this.
Merry Christmas. And keep these insightful podcasts coming. I don't think your given enough credit for your PB IQ.
Really good explanations and easy to follow your instruction , Thanks and please keep it coming!
Great stuff as always! The two handed backhand return (similar to the drive) was how I got most comfortable. Forcing myself to hit returns with two hands and getting those reps in every game instead of running around my forehand.
Best on the Internet as far as technical and mindset
Great information! Keep up the good work!
Love Adam's comments!
these are BANGER episodes. keep them coming. people don't do enough to explain the why behind the what. it's all good if it goes long. i rather hear more details than less. there's a huge need for more strategy explanations IMO
Greatest podcast, Thank you James,
Thank you for an excellent video with a lot of excellent, understandable advice.
Thanks for your great insight on the two-handed back James
This information is excellent!
Excellent!
Thanks James these are great!
👍 yet again. Real stuff from real experience. ❤
Good stuff!!!!
First time listener. Despite no video I really enjoyed the content and the verbal analysis. Good stuff! (You sound fine in the morning) :>}
As a righty -- when you're practicing one handed lefty do you keep your left hand where it would be as if you were doing a 2h bh (choked up on the grip -- ping pong style like cassidy or dawson) or are you literally pretending you're left handed and holding the grip down towards the bottom like an actual left handed player?
Great question. I think it helps the most to do both. What’s most helpful is Cassidy style as you said. But getting comfortable hitting it as a true lefty forehand from the bottom of the grip, also helped me I believe. So I think there’s no harm in doing both
Love these breakdowns ❤
Thank you for these great nuggets. I forwarded this to 3.5 players I play with. I think your advice is "ever green" in that it will work for many players at a wide variety of ability. Coming from playing tennis with a two handed backhand this was a natural way for me to hit from the baseline. I still find it much easier to hit down on the ball from my backhand side with one hand as the additional hand changes the arc of my swing and slows down the swing. I have watched ALW hit these aggressive two handed backhand volleys and have tried to hit them but prefer using one hand which I can snap better.
What gear does Selkirk give you? How does the sponsorship work
I have to start putting your ideas into my play
5:49 Who else has a great 2-handed backhand - Connor Garnett
Excellent advice. love your videos! Only thing to do it better (but a lot more difficult for you) would be to also add video as examples.
They James, so I just got the tyson Mcguffin selkirk paddle ( gold and white) the one you used. My question is so u have an edge guard on urs? It looks like u do...they don't come with edge guards but do u have a custom edge guard on urs or is it just stock?
Imma be real, that was some really good advice on 3rd shot options and dink patterns. I look forward to trying it on the court. I wanna give feedback for improvement in the future but for this one keep up the good stuff.
Such great insight! When you use a 2 handed backhand in transition, are you still making it more of a left hand shot? Or is it more of a right hand shot w/ left hand just for stability? Or does it depend on the speed of the ball coming at you?
Early is best as you’re well rested. First half of the day are our most effective period to think and learn imo.
James, excellent suggestions. Thank you. Queston: Other than lobbing from the NVZ line when all players are neutual, do you see any time lobbing is appropriate for advanced players?
Get your you know what on the court, and re-do this video with racquet in hand. I have to learn how do your backhand dink. Working on it. Great content.
Paddle* come on man tennis is out of style
@@jamesignatowichpickleball ah dam.
Ps. Pls come to Canada soon !
Thanks James, I got a lot of good information out of this episode as I've been working on my 2-handed backhand. I'm a right handed player and I like how you describe the two handed back hand drive as more of left handed forehand because that is how I've been practicing the shot. My question for anyone using two handed play is do you find it works to block at the net with the back side of the paddle. Meaning you are now playing at the net with your off-hand (in my case left) near the throat of the paddle. It just seems to put the paddle in a perfect position to defend my right hip and right shoulder and the grip is very comfortable and it's easy to shift back to two hands grip (with dominate right hand on bottom) as needed. Thoughts? Pros? Cons?
So you’re saying it’s functioning as more of a two handed forehand because you’ve flipped the paddle around and it’s on the right side of your body, right?
Correct the paddle is flipped around to the right side of the body and the bottom right hand drops off the paddle (sorry didn't make that clear) so the movement is really a left handed attacking volley, flick, or reset. But the left hand would be positioned at the throat of the paddle. This could be used to defend a ball coming at the right armpit or close to the right hip areas.@@jamesignatowichpickleball
I’ve seen you play with the 002 and Prestige Power Air. Which do you prefer and what are the pros and cons of both?
I learned a lot from this video. When the day comes that James retires from Pickleball he might want to consider being an educator.
For someone that's always strictly used the continental grip, would you recommend using eastern on serves and drives to get more topspin, and switching to continental at the kitchen line?
Great question. I’d say so. I’ll address in next pod
I see a lot of how to tutorials but I’m not sure what I should be actually focusing on as a new player. I’m probably 3.5 playing about 5-10 hours a week the last 3-4 months. What would you actually recommend me focusing on? No tennis background.
Your answer about when to drive and drop I think is right for pro. But in rec play I think you should probably smoke a short return. People just can’t handle the pace of a drive from up close as well in that range. Then drop everything behind that unless it right on the baseline, and then like you said drive it and fish for an easier 5th.
So I’ve been playing with the 2 hander. I find it hard to mentally go 2 handed when it’s out wide to counter verse one handed. Seems when I put 2 hands on my paddle I can’t release the other hand. Maybe over time I will just get use to? Do you hold the paddle one handed at the kitchen then go 2 handed last second to counter out wide?
I hold one at the kitchen and switch to 2 when it’s wide. I don’t hold the paddle with two hands in ready position. I’ll explain why in the next pod
Riley Newman somehow seems to keep both hands on the paddle for the backhand volley even when the ball is drilled right at him. Is a special case because of his right hand is in a pancake grip?
Yea that’s a special case. I wouldn’t try to copy him
Great pod, your explanations make sense. your voice was fine, drink more water. keep up the good work.
Hey papa Jimmy,
I just had my serve clocked in at 64 mph, but I'm missing it deep by about 6 inches. My question for you is how do I get a girlfriend? Thanks Dad.
Love the content but would like to see video that shows us what you're talking about
And it's 22 ft corner to corner, cross dink :)
21 ft cross court dink corner to corner.