Stop Running Around Your Backhand!
One of the most common sights in recreational pickleball is watching a player sprint halfway across the court trying to hit every ball with their forehand. They run around backhands, abandon their court position, leave large openings for their opponents, and often create confusion for their partner. While it may feel natural in the moment, it is usually one of the least efficient ways to play the game.
The Most Common Positioning Mistake in Pickleball
The reality is that many players are not running around their backhand because it is strategically correct. They are running around it because they do not trust it. Unfortunately, what feels like a solution often creates a much bigger problem.
Why Avoiding Your Backhand Hurts Your Game
A backhand is not some advanced professional shot that takes years to develop. A functional backhand can be learned relatively quickly with proper instruction and a little practice. A few lessons with a teaching professional can dramatically improve your confidence and technique, giving you a shot that allows you to cover your side of the court more effectively.
Once you develop a dependable backhand, the game becomes much simpler. When the ball comes to your forehand side, you hit a forehand. When it comes to your backhand side, you hit a backhand. There is no need to sprint out of position, create unnecessary chaos, or leave large sections of the court exposed.
The Hidden Cost of Running Around Your Backhand
Good court positioning is one of the foundations of successful pickleball. Every time you run around a backhand to hit a forehand, you are making a trade. You may gain a slightly stronger shot, but you often sacrifice court coverage, balance, recovery time, and partnership structure. Against better players, those sacrifices are usually not worth it.
Have you ever wondered why the middle of the court sometimes looks wide open? Quite often, it is because one player vacated their position trying to hit a forehand they did not need to hit. Their partner is forced to adjust, court responsibilities become unclear, and opponents suddenly have easy targets available.
Many players believe they are helping their team by hitting more forehands. In reality, they are often creating the very openings their opponents are looking to exploit.
A Simpler Way to Play
The solution is surprisingly simple. Invest a little time in learning a reliable backhand. You do not need a spectacular backhand. You do not need a professional-level backhand. You simply need one that allows you to stay in position, keep the ball in play, and maintain the integrity of your side of the court.
Ironically, learning to hit a backhand often improves your forehand as well. When you stop chasing forehands everywhere, you arrive at the balls that truly belong to your forehand in better balance and with better preparation. The result is cleaner mechanics, better consistency, and improved decision-making.
The Backhand Makes Life Easier for Everyone
A dependable backhand does more than improve your individual game. It makes life easier for your partner, strengthens your team's positioning, and forces your opponents to work harder to create opportunities.
Many players spend years trying to improve their forehand while avoiding their backhand. A smarter approach is often to do the opposite. Develop a dependable backhand, protect your court position, help your partner, and let the game become simpler.
Sometimes the biggest improvement in your game is not learning a new shot.
It's finally learning the shot you've been avoiding.
FLiK IQ
At FLiK Pickleball, we believe improvement begins with understanding. Our goal is to help you see the game differently, think more clearly, and develop the skills that make pickleball more enjoyable and rewarding for years to come.