Unlocking Power, Stability, and Deceptive Versatility on the Court
Introduction
Once exclusively linked to tennis, the two-handed backhand has made its way into pickleball as a vital weapon for players of all skill levels. This technique offers a blend of power, stability, and deceptive capabilities, making it a game-changing addition to any player’s arsenal. For top professionals like Zane Navratil, the two-handed backhand isn’t just an option—it’s a necessity. Its utility in handling high balls, awkward angles, and aggressive rallies makes it an indispensable tool for success on the court.
The Benefits of a Two-Handed Backhand
Zane Navratil highlights several key advantages of the two-handed backhand:
Increased Power: Ideal for delivering decisive shots.
Improved Stability: Maintains control in high-pressure situations.
Closer Contact Point: Enhances accuracy and precision.
Deceptive Capabilities: Keeps opponents guessing with consistent motion.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering the Technique
To integrate the two-handed backhand into your game, follow these steps:
Grip Most players use a continental grip with their dominant hand and place their non-dominant hand above it on the paddle. For added topspin, some players prefer an eastern backhand grip, though the continental grip remains the most common choice.
Stance and Core Engagement Close your stance and focus on generating power through the rotation of your core. "Rotational power is key," Navratil advises.
Swing Mechanics The swing should originate from the body's rotation rather than arm movement. Make contact in front of your leading leg to maximize both control and power. Weight transfer from your back leg into the shot is essential for a smooth follow-through.
Practice and Coordination Start by practicing dinks with your non-dominant hand to build coordination and a feel for the motion. Keep your dominant hand nearby to simulate the two-handed backhand during drills.
Game-Changing Results
The two-handed backhand equips players to punish poorly executed attacks with greater force. Its consistency and stability not only increase control but also make your intentions harder to predict, keeping your opponents on their toes. Whether you're dealing with high balls or tight angles, mastering this technique can elevate your pickleball game to new heights.
Master Your Pickleball Skills with Coach Mary’s Warm-Up and Drills
Subtitle: Practical Tips for Individual, Two-, Three-, and Four-Player Drills
Introduction:
Pickleball players often struggle to find like-minded partners who are willing to spend time drilling instead of jumping straight into games. Coach Mary has shared a structured warm-up routine and creative drills to improve your game, whether you're practicing solo, in pairs, or with a small group. These drills can make practice fun, competitive, and efficient, giving you the tools to sharpen your skills and elevate your pickleball game.
Article:
Finding the right group to drill with can be a challenge. Many players prefer to dive into games after a few minutes of dinking. However, skipping warm-ups or skill-specific drills can limit your improvement. Coach Mary offers a simple yet effective warm-up routine and innovative drills designed for groups of all sizes—or even for solo practice.
Quick 10-Minute Warm-Up Routine for Four Players
Before jumping into games, try this structured warm-up routine to prepare your strokes and movements:
Dink down-the-line
Dink crosscourt
Volley-volley down-the-line
Volley-volley crosscourt
Third shot drops (one up, one back) – then switch roles
Resets off a drive from the baseline
Serving crosscourt – alternate sides for complete practice
If you're an advanced player, enhance this warm-up by including transition zone resets, speed-ups, lobs, and overheads.
Creative Drills for Fewer Than Four Players
1. One-on-One Skinny Singles Play singles on a narrow section of the court, alternating between down-the-line and crosscourt shots. This focused practice improves precision and footwork.
2. Ball Machine Practice If no one is available to drill, invest in a ball machine. It allows you to work on specific shots at your own pace.
3. Three-Player Drills In three-player scenarios, two players hit to one side of the court where a single player practices resets, third-shot drops, and attack shots. Rotate positions to give everyone a chance to improve each skill set.
The Z-Drill: A Fun and Competitive Group Drill
Thanks to Ernie Medina and Kevin from Loma Linda, the Z-Drill is a great way to practice resets, drives, and teamwork. Here's how it works:
Player 1 starts at the NVZ (Non-Volley Zone) with a courtesy feed to Player 2 at the baseline.
Player 2 executes a topspin drive back to Player 1.
Player 1 resets the ball softly crosscourt to Player 3 in the opposite kitchen.
Player 3 feeds to Player 4 at the baseline.
Player 4 drives the ball down-the-line to Player 3, who resets it crosscourt to Player 1.
The rotation continues, with players switching spots to ensure all skill sets are practiced.
Making Drills Fun and Competitive
Players are more likely to drill when it’s fun and goal-oriented. Use scoring systems or set measurable objectives to make drills engaging. For instance, keep track of unattackable resets or successful third-shot drops during drills.
Summary:
Coach Mary emphasizes the importance of structured warm-ups and creative drills for improving pickleball skills. Her step-by-step warm-up routine prepares players for games in just 10 minutes. For solo or small-group practice, innovative drills like skinny singles, ball machine sessions, and the Z-Drill keep practice engaging and productive. By making drills competitive and fun, you can motivate players to embrace skill-building sessions that elevate their game.
Mother-Daughter Magic: Leigh and Anna Leigh Waters Power Into PPA Daytona Beach Open Semifinals
Dave Fleming: The comeback is roaring into the semifinals! Leigh Waters is back playing alongside her daughter, Anna Leigh, for the first time in two years on the PPA Tour. Their quarterfinal victory over Mary and Maggie Brascia, 11-3, 11-7, sends them into the next round. Leigh and Anna Leigh, congratulations!
Leigh, I’ll start with you. You told me earlier to remind everyone this is “just for fun.” So, tell us—are you having fun out there?
Leigh Waters: I’m having a blast! How can you not when you’re playing next to your kid right here? We’re working hard to play our best pickleball, but we’re also making sure to enjoy it and keep things light. That’s when we play our best, and I think we’re doing a good job at that so far.
Dave: Anna Leigh, your mom has shown us quite the variety—forehand speedups, overheads, tricky lobs. What’s your favorite shot of hers? Which one puts a big smile on your face?
Anna Leigh Waters: Oh, definitely the forehand speedup. She hit one crosscourt, then one down the middle, and then one down the line—it’s impossible to predict! I don’t know how she does it, and even though she’s tried to teach me, I just can’t seem to learn it.
What’s really cool is how similarly we play. We were practicing with Will Howells before the tournament, and he said, “This is basically Anna Leigh 2.0.” Then he was like, “Wait, no—it’s just two Leighs on the court. She came first!” [laughs]
I think playing with her is special because we know each other’s tendencies so well. It’s almost seamless. We’ve been doing great, and I asked her after this match if she was tired. She said, “No,” so let’s go—bring on the next one!
Dave: Anna Leigh, a lot of fans would love to know—are you playing any differently with your mom by your side compared to with Katherine?
Anna Leigh Waters: Not really. Katherine and I usually play straight up, and my mom wanted to play the same way for this tournament. The main difference is that I might be taking slightly less court because she plays better when she’s hitting more balls and getting into a rhythm.
I’m trying to let her do her thing without stepping in too much or confusing her, though I’ve done that a couple of times [laughs]. We’re focused on staying aggressive and not getting caught in too many long dink rallies. Just grip it and rip it—that’s the plan!
Dave: Leigh, last question for you. You’ve been balancing roles as coach, mom, and now player. How are you managing to juggle everything, especially in a high-stakes quarterfinal match?
Leigh Waters: It’s been tough, honestly. Over the past few days, I’ve noticed I’ve been more focused on myself than on Anna Leigh, which feels strange. For example, earlier today, Anna Leigh left with my parents, and I stayed back with my husband, Stephen. As we were getting ready to leave, he was like, “Do you have your shoes? Your gear?” And I realized—usually, I’m the one packing everything! We even had to call her a few times asking where things were.
I think playing a couple of tournaments a year is a nice balance for me. But after this, I’ll happily go back to my coaching and “mom” roles full-time.
Dave: Well, you’ve shown us you haven’t missed a step. Leigh and Anna Leigh Waters, congratulations on moving into the semifinals! Best of luck in the next round!
Interview with Leigh Waters and Anna Leigh Waters at the PPA Daytona Beach Open
Michelle McMahon: It’s a true holiday special here at the Daytona Beach Open presented by Roar Organics. We’ve witnessed the highly anticipated mother-daughter reunion of Anna Leigh and Leigh Waters, back in action for the first time since 2022. In their home state, no less, the duo is moving on to the round of 16 after an impressive 11-2, 11-3 win over Kelsey Laurente and Samantha Greenhut. Joining me now to talk about their grand return is Leigh and Anna Leigh Waters.
Michelle: Leigh, starting with you—what inspired your decision to return to the PPA tour for this event? Was it Anna Leigh heckling you to play, or was there something else behind the decision?
Leigh Waters: Honestly, it was just the fact that she asked me. I knew Katherine [Parenteau] wasn’t playing, and I actually thought this was going to be our break. We were planning out what to do during the downtime, and then two weeks ago, Anna Leigh said, “Mom, let’s play.” I was like, “A little notice would’ve been nice!” [laughs] But honestly, it worked out because I didn’t have much time to overthink or get nervous about it.
I just want to say thank you so much to the crowd for coming out and cheering us on. It warms my heart so much to see everyone still remembers me. Truly, thank you!
Michelle: Love it. It really is such a special moment to witness a mom and daughter competing together at the professional level. Anna Leigh, you’ve often credited your mom for the meteoric rise you’ve had in the sport. What makes it so special to play alongside the woman who helped you get here?
Anna Leigh Waters: For sure. I mean, when I was 10 or 11, I was lucky enough to be invited to her groups and to play games with her. Then we started competing together, and she was number one in the world before I was, so I definitely looked up to her a lot.
It feels pretty surreal playing on the court with her now. Honestly, sometimes it feels like I’m dreaming—like, “Is this actually happening? Is this real?” I just tried to soak it all in out there. I’m so glad we were able to get that win and bring back some of those special memories.
Michelle: Leigh, I saw a lot of family support on the sidelines today. Stephen was all smiles, and Anna Leigh’s grandmother was there too. What was their reaction to seeing you back on the court?
Leigh Waters: They were just excited! Like Anna Leigh said, this brings back so many memories—some we’d almost forgotten because now she’s out there playing full-time, and I’m coaching. But playing together again reminds us of how special those years were. We wanted to bring that back for the holiday season, and it’s been such a joy to do it here.
Michelle: Love that. Give it up for the iconic mother-daughter duo, Anna Leigh and Leigh Waters! A well-deserved standing ovation here at Daytona Beach—it’s been an absolute thrill to watch you both. Congratulations on moving on to the round of 16!
In April, Leigh and Anna Leigh Waters, won a gold medal against Simone Jardim and Allison Harris at the 2024 Minto US Open Pickleball Championships.
TeamWaters 1st Pro Pickleball Tournament
2018 TEXAS OPEN Women's Doubles
Anna Leigh Waters/Leigh Waters vs Lucy Kovalova/Sarah Ansboury
0:01 Start Of Match
10:29 Highlight: Anna Leigh goes ATP, two net balls
21:18 Anna Leigh hits a forehand winner down the middle
21:57 Anna Leigh hits a two handed backhand poach for a winner
23:14 Anna Leigh hits a forehand winner down the middle
29:03 Anna Leigh hits a two handed backhand poach for a winner
33:14 Check out Team Waters digs
37:18 Anna Leigh misdirects the ball for a winner
An In-Depth Guide with Pro Insights from Mari Humberg and Ed Ju
The backhand flick is a dynamic shot in pickleball that can catch opponents off-guard and shift the momentum of a game. In a recent instructional session, pickleball content creator Ed Ju collaborated with professional player Mari Humberg to dissect this technique. Humberg, renowned for her exceptional backhand flicks, shared her expertise to help players enhance their skills.
1. Understanding the Grip [0:54]
Grip Type: Utilize the continental grip, also known as the handshake grip.
Hand Position: Ensure a firm yet relaxed hold to allow for wrist flexibility.
Finger Placement: Position your index finger slightly extended on the paddle handle for better control.
Mari emphasizes, "I recommend the continental grip or the handshake grip." Pickleball
2. Analyzing the Flick Technique [1:48]
Wrist Action: Employ a quick upward flick of the wrist to generate topspin.
Paddle Angle: Maintain a slightly open paddle face during contact.
Follow-Through: Finish the stroke with the paddle pointing towards the target area.
Mari notes, "You’ve got to hit the ball up, and the spin will bring it back down." Pickleball
3. Prioritizing Control Over Power [5:22]
Shot Pace: Focus on a controlled, slower shot rather than sheer power.
Spin Application: Apply topspin to make the ball dip quickly after crossing the net.
Placement Strategy: Aim for areas that challenge your opponent's positioning.
"The misconception is that people want to hit hard, but you don’t have to hit a flick hard," Mari advises. Pickleball
4. Demonstrating the Flick [8:27]
Stance: Adopt a balanced position with feet shoulder-width apart.
Preparation: Anticipate the ball's trajectory and prepare your paddle early.
Execution: Perform the flick with a swift wrist motion, ensuring minimal arm movement.
Mari demonstrates that effective flicks are "just well-placed, well-timed, and well thought out." Pickleball
5. Executing the Ultra-Wide Cross-Court Flick [11:24]
Target Identification: Identify open spaces on the opposite side of the court.
Angle Creation: Use your wrist to create sharp angles, sending the ball cross-court.
Deception: Maintain a consistent stance to disguise your intended target.
This technique places the ball in "positions that are uncomfortable" for opponents. Pickleball
6. Disguising and Choosing Targets [14:00]
Body Language: Keep your body orientation neutral to conceal shot direction.
Eye Focus: Avoid telegraphing your target by maintaining steady eye contact.
Target Zones: Aim for opponents' hips or feet to limit their return options.
Mari suggests, "Aim your flick at your opponent’s right or left hip to achieve the desired result." Pickleball
7. Practicing the Ultra-Wide Cross-Court Flick [15:49]
Drill Setup: Practice with a partner, aiming for cross-court targets.
Consistency: Focus on repeating the motion to build muscle memory.
Feedback: Record your practice sessions to analyze form and accuracy.
Ed's practice emphasizes the importance of "less power, more control and dip." Pickleball.com
8. Determining When to Use the Flick [17:24]
Opponent's Position: Utilize the flick when opponents are out of position or expecting a different shot.
Game Context: Employ during rallies to disrupt rhythm and create openings.
Setup Shots: Use the flick to set up subsequent offensive opportunities.
"The intention of an attack is to set up for the second," Mari explains. Pickleball
9. Understanding the Objective of the Flick [20:00]
Creating Advantage: Use the flick to force weak returns or defensive lobs.
Applying Pressure: Keep opponents guessing and under constant pressure.
Strategic Play: Integrate the flick into your overall game strategy for effective point construction.
Mari emphasizes, "Get the idea out of your head that the flick is a winner." Pickleball
Incorporating the backhand flick into your pickleball repertoire can significantly enhance your gameplay. By focusing on control, placement, and strategic execution, as highlighted by Mari Humberg and Ed Ju, players can develop a shot that is both deceptive and effective. Remember, the flick is a tool to create opportunities and apply pressure, setting up subsequent plays rather than aiming for outright winners.
NOTE: ChatGPT (AI Bot) was instructed to use the YouTube transcript through this link. It also integrated the Pickleball.com article into this guide without being told to do so.
0:47 Warm-up Cade Pierson/Matthew Mead vs Hayden Patriquin/Jorja Johnson
9:04 Game 1
20:40 Game 2
32:32 Warm-up Anna Bright/Dekel Bar vs Alexa Schull/Tanner Tomassi
39:39 Game 1
49:49 Game 2
Milwaukee Open, Women’s Doubles. Anna Bright and Rachel Rohrabacher vs Jackie Kawamoto and Jade Kawamoto. There were season-highs for the average of 17.8 shots per rally, and 32% of the rallies being 20 shots or more. The total of 3,555 shots was the most in any final in three years.
Rachel Rohrabacher’s 18 clean winners in the Atlanta Slam Women’s Doubles final were the most by a player in a Women’s Doubles final in three years.
Longest Rally in a Final: 85 shots, Los Angeles Open, Men’s Doubles. Ben Johns and Collin Johns vs. Tyson McGuffin and Jaume Martinez Vich.
