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Make Your Backhand Your Best Shot 🎯 Summer Programs Are Here ☀️ Beat Lobbers For Good

Universal Rackets Weekly Pickleball Update: Coaching - News - Tips

May 16, 2026

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Let’s Talk About Your Pickleball Game…🎯 🔥 

The Secret to a Better Backhand in Pickleball

Most players struggle with their backhand for one simple reason:

➡️ They use too much arm and not enough body.

The foundation of every great backhand — whether it’s a drive, drop, or dink — starts with the turn.

Before you even swing, you need to:

• Turn your shoulders
• Keep your hips sideways
• Get the paddle back early

If you stay square to the net or prepare late, you’ll get jammed and lose both power and control.

The backhand drive is all about extension and driving through the ball. Focus on:

  1. Takeback

  2. Dropping the paddle tip below the ball

  3. Contacting the ball out in front

  4. Extending through contact

  5. Finishing with a full follow-through

One of the biggest mistakes players make is contacting the ball too close to their body. Extension creates cleaner contact and more power.

The backhand drop is different. Instead of driving forward aggressively, the swing path should feel more like a “U” shape — under the ball and up through contact. The goal is height, control, and allowing the ball to land softly into the kitchen.

At the kitchen, simplicity wins. Most players use way too much backswing on their backhand dinks. Instead, use a slight shoulder turn, keep the motion compact, and slightly open the paddle face to guide the ball over the net without excessive wrist movement.

If you use a two-handed backhand, your top hand should do most of the work. Think of the top hand as the driver while the bottom hand simply supports the paddle.

The mental side matters too. Many players panic on their backhand and try to guide the ball too much. In reality, the key is relaxing, trusting the paddle, and accelerating through the shot.

A great backhand is built through early preparation, shoulder turn, extension, simplicity, and repetition. Don’t just watch videos — practice the movement patterns until they become automatic.

Master your backhand, and your confidence across the entire court changes.

🌸 Philly Area Pickleball Programs Are In Full Swing!

Our Spring & Summer programs are officially underway — and spots are filling fast across the Philly region.

Designed for all ages and skill levels, our programs focus on structure, competition, and real improvement.

What We Offer:

✅ Adult Clinics
✅ Junior Clinics
✅ Pickleball & Tennis Summer Camps
✅ DUPR Rating Clinics
✅ Competitive Tournaments
✅ Indoor & Outdoor Options
✅ Multiple Skill Levels
✅ Weekday & Weekend Offerings

Whether you’re just getting started, looking to improve your rating, or ready to compete — our programs are built to help you play smarter, move better, and gain confidence.

👉 Secure your spot today before programs fill up!

👟 Quick Drill Of The Week: Backhand Drive In 5 Steps Progression

🎯 Stop Aiming for Lines and Start Winning More Points

One of the biggest mistakes players make in pickleball is trying to hit perfect shots.

They try to paint the sideline.
They go for highlight winners.
They swing at 100% power.

And what happens?

They miss.

The reality is simple:

The smaller your target, the smaller your margin for error.

If you aim directly for the sideline, you are giving yourself almost no room for mistakes. Even a tiny miss sends the ball out.

Instead, aim bigger.

If you aim more toward the middle or safely inside the court, even if you miss slightly left or right, the ball will still land in.

That is how high level players become more consistent:

• Bigger targets
• More margin
• More balls in play

And more balls in play means more points won.

The same concept applies to put away shots.

Most players think they need to hit winners at 100% power, but swinging harder often creates less control.

Instead, focus on hitting your put aways at around 75–80% power.

That slight reduction in pace gives you:

• More control
• Better accuracy
• More consistency under pressure

A controlled put away that lands in is far more valuable than a missed highlight shot.

The best players are not trying to hit perfect shots every rally.

They are making smart decisions, using bigger targets, and forcing opponents to beat them.

Add more margin to your game and you will instantly win more points.

Program Spotlight #1: Jersey Shore Pickleball Clinics Start In June!

Summer Camps, Pickleball Clinics, and Tennis Clinics are returning to:
• Stone Harbor/Avalon
• Sea Isle

Come train with one of the fastest growing racket sports communities on the Jersey Shore this summer.

Programs available for juniors and adults of all skill levels from beginner to advanced. Whether you are looking to improve your game, stay active, meet people, or have fun with family and friends, we have something for everyone this summer.

Limited spots available for many programs.

Program Spotlight: Universal Rackets Summer Camps Are HERE!☀️

Our 2026 Pickleball & Tennis Summer Camps are officially open for registration!

With 70+ camps running across Pennsylvania and the Jersey Shore, Universal Rackets offers one of the largest summer racket sports camp lineups in the area.

Designed for all skill levels, our camps focus on:

🎾 Skill Development
🏃 Movement & Athleticism
🔥 High-Energy Drills & Games
🤝 Confidence, Competition & FUN

📍 Programs available across PA, Sea Isle City, and Stone Harbor / Avalon.

Whether your child is brand new or already experienced, our structured camps are built to help players improve while loving the game.

Lesson of the Week: How To Stop Lobbers In Pickleball

Thank you for reading and we can’t wait to see you on court!

-Universal Rackets