Applying and understanding pickleball spins is a great tool to add to your game. Whether you’re using it offensively or defensively, here is what you need to know.
Pickleball Spins: Topspin
Topspin is applied in a low-to-high motion. You brush your paddle up against the ball in order to create topspin. With topspin, the ball rolls in a forward motion in the direction that you send it. As a service, it allows you to hit the ball hard while keeping it in bounds. But topspin can be used so much more throughout the game than just as a service.
Topspin is a great way to counter a slice return. Good slice returns tend to keep the ball low and heavy. Without topspin, the ball will most likely go into the net. You can also use topspin to drop the ball into the kitchen, whether as a third shot drop, fifth shot drop, or whenever you need to do a safe drop.
At the kitchen net during a dink rally, a topspin is a good way to switch to an attack. Without topspin, the ball may go into the net. However, applying topspin will allow the ball to go over the net because you’re going from a low to high motion.
Pickleball Spins: Backspin
Backspin is applied high to low, either as a backhand slice or a forehand slice. The ball rolls in a backward motion in the direction that you send it. When done right, backspin or slice keeps the ball low and heavy.
Getting your slice to keep the ball low can take a lot of practice. You may find that your slice makes the ball go too high and even too short. In that case, you will have to adjust your paddle face angle so that is not too open. The best way to get the feel and control for a slice is to have a partner serve a ton of balls with topspin.
Offensively, backspin is a great way to send back topspin on a serve return. Many people apply topspin to their services. With topspin, the ball will be rolling toward you. By applying backspin to the ball, you will be continuing the spin that is coming at you, back to your opponent.
Backspin also makes it harder for your opponent to make a good third shot. As mentioned earlier, to counter backspin, they will have to consciously “lift” the ball or counter it back with topspin. If your opponent hit the ball flat, it will most likely go into the net.
Best Pickleball Paddles For Creating Spin
The best pickleball paddles that will help with spin are ones with textured or gritty paddle faces. Many brand-new paddles come with this, however, the texture tends to wear out over time. While that may be the case, certain paddles are known for their textured face.
Since the best player in the game has moved on to this paddle, many people, including other pros have followed suit. But it is for a good reason because this paddle REALLY does have the texture and grit that apply spin. While the price point is higher than other paddles, you will find better spin control than any other paddle on the market currently.
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