The Overhead Smash

Arguably one of the more offensive and fun shots to hit in pickleball is the overhead smash.

This is a shot that one hits from high to low, usually taken from a shallow - or unsuccessful - lob and will typically be strong and fast enough to end a rally.

The overhead smash is an exciting shot to make. I can’t think of anyone who doesn’t like going for the big winning shot, you know what I’m talking about: that high, (unsuccessful) lob floating into the sweet zone and the only thing you have to do is time yourself to hit a perfect, winning shot.

Sometimes though, the shot looks great in your head but the result is a lot different. No one likes missing those gimme’s, so if you’re looking for a few tips to improve this shot, here are some helpful reminders...

Photo Credit: Sara McInnes

Track the Ball

An important key to hitting a strong and precise overhead is to keep the eye on the ball. Many players will take their eye off of the ball without realizing it because it’s so brief.

More than likely the case, that break is because the player wants to look at where they’re aiming to place the ball but it will actually lead to an end result of mishits or overhitting the ball.

Find the ball with the forefinger of the opposite hand and keep the hand up as the ball moves towards you.

Bringing the non-dominant hand forward will not only help track, but the hand can block the sun - if playing outdoors - and can also help balance the body, as the paddle is drawn behind the back.

Photo Credit: Sara McInnes

Increase Footwork

Of course, as you may have picked up from other articles on the Control the Kitchen blog, I heavily emphasize footwork.

Moving with the ball as it travels through the air is essential to a strong overhead. So, if the ball has been lobbed, but falls shallow and leads to an overhead opportunity, shift your weight back, to the dominant foot and side shuffle so that the shoulder of the non-dominant arm is leading.

To set yourself up for a successful lob will require you to take at least one step backwards (on a diagonal), positioning your body to be behind the ball. Once you’ve done so, shift the weight forward from the dominant foot to the non-dominant foot. 

Pronate the Shoulder

When and how you contact the ball is pretty key for a successful smash.

By turning the body, the arm will have to pronate, what I like to tell my students who are just learning how to hit this shot, is to draw the paddle behind the head, tap the spine of the paddle against the shoulder - like you’re getting an itch - bring that paddle forward, with the elbow leading (the face of the paddle will be by the ear, like you’re on the phone) and then keep moving the paddle face forward so that you hit the ball clean on the paddle surface - almost like you’re giving it a high five. Attempt the shot with the ball centered with the body then you’re left with a “pancake” shot, the risk to this approach is that point of contact is too low and the ball will not clear the net.

Over Overheads?

If you haven’t quite gotten hang of the footwork/side shuffle, you’re not confident attempting a smash during a game or your shoulder is preventing you from smashing the ball then there is another option; you can always allow the ball to bounce first.

With this less offensive option, it’s still very important to stay light on the feet so that you can follow the ball after the bounce. Be sure to keep the body behind the ball and keep in mind that there’s a good chance there’s spin on the ball, so it might pull away from where you’ve planted.

Photo Credit: Sara McInnes

And if you’re getting tired of learning the overhead, flip the perspective and try returning a smash - despite what some may think (that a ball being smashed at you is hardly considered fun) defending the overhead shot is fun and sometimes not as difficult as it seems.

If the person hitting the overhead hits the ball directly to you then as long as you get (or stay) well behind the ball and can allow the ball to bounce and rise back up in the air, then you’ve got a great chance at defending this shot.

That said, if the overhead is angled or the person simply overpowers the shot with a lot of pace, being in the ready position and getting yourself to where you think the ball is being aimed at may not guarantee you can return the ball.

Ultimately, being in the defensive position and having to back up off the non-volley line isn’t a great position to be in, but definitely worth practicing. 

Drill It

Get going on those footwork drills. Warm up the session by shuffling laterally both ways and side shuffling both directions.

Ensure that your head is up straight and not looking down at the ground as much as possible, this will help you keep your head up and looking at the ball during the motion of an overhead shot.

Target practice might be an obvious but great way to work on consistency and accuracy. Set some cones down on the opposite side of the net and have your drilling partner feed you the ball.

If they are standing in front of you then angle your overheads to the diagonal - or away from them. If they are standing diagonal to you then aim the overheads to the half-court directly across the net from you.

Finally, aim down to their feet, and as long as you focus on accuracy and consistency rather than power, the feeding partner should be able to defend the overhead fairly easily and feed the next lob to you, ideally allowing both of you to catch a rhythm. 

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