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Pro Tip: Why Your Off-Hand Matters

Pro Tip: Why Your Off-Hand Matters

James Ignatowich1 min read

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Top 5 pro player James Ignatowich

Hey guys, this is James Ignatowich, and I’m going to cover how to use your off-hand. For me, being a righty, that means using my left hand. A lot of players are hitting big serves now, getting a lot of power on the serve, and you need your off-hand not only for power but also for stability.

When I wanted to practice my two-handed backhand return, I actually went out and hit some lefty forehand returns. I do the same thing with my left arm, and my lefty forehand return is pretty good because that’s essentially what a two-handed backhand return is—it’s about 80% left arm.

So, if you’re someone who is hitting two-handed backhand returns almost entirely with your right hand while your left arm is just along for the ride, you’re not making the most of your two-handed backhand. Almost any two-handed backhand in pickleball should be using mostly the off-hand.

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James Ignatowich

About James Ignatowich

Pickleball Portal Contributor

James Ignatowich is a contributor to Pickleball Portal, sharing insights and expertise to help players of all levels improve their game.

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