Can You Hit Overhand In Pickleball?

Pickleball is a fun sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. With its growing popularity, more and more players are learning the game and improving their skills. A common question that comes up is: can you hit overhand in pickleball?

The short answer is yes, you can hit overhand in pickleball except when serving the ball.

Hitting overhand provides more power and aggressiveness than an underhand hit. With the right technique, overhand shots like smashes and volleys can be extremely effective in putting the ball away. However, there are specific rules around when and how you can hit overhand in pickleball that all players should know.

In this complete guide, we’ll cover:

Overhand shot basics and technique
When you can (and can’t) hit overhand
Effective overhand shots like the smash, volley, and lob
Drills to practice your overhand game
Strategies for using overhand shots

So whether you’re a beginner looking to add some power to your game or an experienced player wanting to refine your overhand skills, read on to master this essential pickleball technique.

Overhand Shot Basics

An overhand shot in pickleball refers to any stroke where the paddle moves in a downward direction to contact the ball. This is in contrast to an underhand shot where the paddle moves upwards.

The main overhand shots used in pickleball are:

Smash: A hard, aggressive shot hit above the shoulders down into the opponent’s court.
Volley: A shot taken out of the air before the ball bounces.
Lob: A high, arcing shot sent deep into the opponent’s court.

Overhand shots generate power from gravity and momentum from swinging the paddle downwards. They allow players to be more forceful and apply topspin or backspin on the ball. Good technique is vital to get the most out of overhand strokes.

Key elements include:

Grip: Use a firm grip with the paddle face perpendicular to the path of the swing.
Stance: Stand with knees bent and weight balanced. Turn sideways to the net.
Backswing: Bring the paddle high up and behind your shoulder.
Downswing: Swing paddle downwards in a controlled, accelerating motion.
Contact: Hit through the center of the ball for optimal control and spin.
Follow through: Continue swinging down and across your body.

Practicing the mechanics of overhand shots will give you the confidence and skills to use them during gameplay. Always start slow and focus on proper form before trying to add power.

When Can You Hit Overhand in Pickleball?

Now that you know the basics of overhand shots, when can you actually hit them during a pickleball match? Here are the key rules and guidelines:

Serving

You cannot hit an overhand serve in pickleball. The serve must be made underhand below waist level. This prevents too much power on the serve.

Non-Volley Zone

Also known as the “kitchen”, you cannot hit an overhand shot while standing in the non-volley zone in front of the net. This includes both forehand and backhand shots. Underhand shots only.

Volleys

You can hit overhand volleys from anywhere on the court as long as the ball bounces once on each side before being struck. Volleys require quick reaction time and solid technique.

Smashes

Overhand smashes are permitted after the ball has bounced once on each side of the net. Aim for corners and openings in the opponent’s court.

Lobs

Hit high overhand lobs when pulled deep into your own court. Lobs send the ball high over the non-volley zone back to the opponent’s baseline.

General Play

Aside from the restrictions above, overhand shots can be used during general play of a rally after the serve. Look for opportunities to go on the offensive with a well-placed smash or volley winner.

Now let’s look more in-depth at some of the most common and effective overhand shots in pickleball.

The Overhead Smash

One of the signature overhand shots in pickleball is the overhead smash. This aggressive shot is essentially a spike straight down into the opponent’s court.

To execute a proper smash:

Move quickly to get your body behind the ball.
Bring the paddle high overhead behind your ear.
Shift weight and rotate hips and shoulders backward.
Drive the paddle powerfully downward into the center of the ball.
Aim crosscourt or down the line past your opponents.
Follow through fully for maximum force.

The key is tracking the ball early so you can get in ideal position. Bend knees to explode upwards into the shot. The smash is great for catching opponents off guard and putting away shorter shots. But use it selectively, as missing can give up the point.

Practice your smashes starting gently and focusing on control. Once you get comfortable with the mechanics, then increase swing speed and power. Smashing drills and tips coming up later.

Mastering the Volley

Volleying is hitting the ball out of mid-air before it can bounce. This advanced skill requires quick reaction time and ability to take the ball early. In pickleball, you’ll mostly volley near the non-volley zone but can do so anywhere.

To successfully volley:

Get your feet in ready position, knees bent.
Keep paddle up and eyes focused on the ball.
Punch the ball softly, don’t swing hard.
Aim to redirect ball back down into court.
Use a Continental grip for better reach and control.
Volley crosscourt to move opponents side-to-side.

The key is making initial contact with the ball as early as possible. This gives maximum time to control the shot. Effective volleys will neutralize drives or drop just over the net, forcing opponents to scramble.

Like the smash, start by just focusing on solid contact and placing volleys inbounds. Work up to hitting sharper crosscourt angles and dropping volleys softly with finesse. Mix high and low volleys to keep opponents off balance.

Lobbing Overhand Deep

When pulled deep into your own court, one of the best overhand options is hitting a high lob. Lobs arc over the non-volley zone back to the opponent’s baseline.

To hit effective lobs:

Move back quickly and get in position.
Use a long, upward stroke motion.
Make contact with the ball at its peak height.
Lift up with your knees and shoulders.
Follow through high to create a deep trajectory.
Aim deep to the baseline corners.

Lobbing takes practice to get the ideal loft and placement. But done right it can reestablish neutral positioning. Vary power and height. And follow up the lob by moving forward to take control of the net.

Overall, look to mix in overhand lobs strategically to change pace and give yourself time to recover position.

Drills to Hone Overhand Shots

Now that you understand the key overhand shots, let’s go over some drills and exercises to improve your technique, consistency, and confidence hitting overhand.

Solo Hitting

Take overhead smashes aiming at targets on the court surface. Focus on form.
Toss ball up and hit repeated overhand volleys. Work on quick reaction time.
Lob ball up high to yourself. Move back and hit overheads.

Wall Volleying

Volley against hitting wall from close and far distance. Control shot speed and placement.
Work on backhand and forehand volley alternately. Groove proper footwork.

Partner Drills

Trade crosscourt volleys. Move side-to-side handling shots.
Take turns hitting overhand shots to each other’s backhand and forehand.
Have partner stand mid-court and hit smashes aiming away from them.

Live Ball Drills

Start point with partner serving. Hit volley, groundstroke, then put away smash.
Practice hitting overhand shots during full speed gameplay and rallies.

Focus on quality over quantity with all overhand shot drills. Start slowly and master proper form before trying to add speed or power. Perfect practice makes perfect!

Strategies for Using Overhand Shots

Now let’s go over some key strategies and scenarios for effectively deploying your shiny new overhand shots in actual pickleball matches and tournaments.

Smash Short Balls

When opponents pop up short shots mid-court, move quickly to get behind the ball in position to overhead smash. Put shots away out of opponents’ reach.

Volley Dinks

If opponents start dinking softly near the non-volley zone, punch sharp crosscourt volleys to move them out of position.

Lob Defensively

When pulled wide or deep, lob overhands high and deep to reset the point and allow yourself time to recover optimal court position.

Pass With Volleys

When opponents charge the net, hit low skimming volleys straight down the sideline to pass them. Keep them honest.

Go Behind Servers

Try to smash returns of serve to catch servers still recovering after the serve motion.

Hit Behind Poachers

If opponents start cheating and poaching volleys to one side, go overhand behind them down the open line.

Overhand Angles

Use sharp crosscourt smashes and volleys to exploit angles and open up the court.

Varying your shots is key. The element of surprise and hitting to open spaces will keep opponents off balance.

Be selective with your overheads – use them at key moments for winners, not just trading shots. Play smart and aggressive!

Conclusion

As you can see, overhand shots absolutely have their place in pickleball when executed properly. Smashes, volleys, and lobs add important power, finesse, and variety to your game. They allow you to seize the offensive and dictate points.

The keys are mastering shot mechanics, understanding when overhand strokes are permitted, and integrating them strategically into your overall game plan.

Start by practicing overhand basics like grip, footwork, and swing path. Work up slowly to add speed and directional control. Use drills to groove technique and timing. And don’t forget… no overhand on serves!

With the right skills, overhand shots will rapidly become natural weapons in your pickleball arsenal. So get out there and start smashing, volleying, and lobbing your way to more dominant play. Your opponents won’t know what hit them!

Also Read: