How To Train Forehands & Backhands On A Ball Machine (Slingerbag)

Hitting hard forehand and backhand drives is not a skill reserved only for bangers. Being able to hit accurately and powerfully from the baseline and the mid court is a vital skill to becoming a complete player.
It can help you hit outright winners at times but the primary purpose is to help you earn shots that you can ultimately transition up to the net with (drops) even when your opponents are already up there.
The shot is a win-win for your. Your opponent aren't likely to hit a shot that will be damaging to you when you've just blasted them with big power. Their options are limited. All they can do is not it back and do their best to keep it low.
That's your chance to either blast them again or drop, come in and engage them in a dink battle. There's more upside for you than for them.
A powerful forehand AND backhand drive have become foundational skills since they help you set you up well for subsequent phases of the point.
With that in mind, I created a video that shows you all the types of groundstroke shot you need to develop particularly in terms of where you need to be able to hit them from and to:
In this video are are all the types, positions and targets you'll want to develop and how to do it.
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[@bretwallach9863]

Another great video, thank you! Starting a couple of months ago, I started hiring a 5.0 pro to play as one of a foursome. In other words, 2 friends, me, and the pro with no coaching, only playing. The main purpose is that it's super fun to have the opportunity to play against someone at that level but another purpose is to see how the highest level players handle various shots. What I've found on the service return is that for the most part it doesn't matter how hard I hit it, only how deep I hit the ball. He can handle any amount of speed I (or anyone else) returns the ball with, but with it deep, it at least keeps him further back and reduces his options. If I return the ball shallow, the point is pretty much over since he'll be able to take advantage of the better angles and distances and even if he doesn't hit a winner outright, his shot will put my partner and me off balance and there's no recovery from there against him. I note that you do say to slow it down and focus on depth for returns so I guess this is a long winded way to say "I agree!" 🙂 Unfortunately, I find that speed on the 3rd shot drive doesn't help much either against the pro (though against 4.0 and under it is helpful). There, I find that low is much, much, much more important than speed. In your video, the player is hitting wonderfully low drives and that would work pretty well. But what works even better is a somewhat slower ball (I call it a half speed drive) with more topspin that is knee level or lower when it crosses the opponents kitchen line. Such a ball takes away all the dangerous angles and greatly reduces the possibility of the ball being returned hard. Yet it's still going fast enough (and aided by topspin) that there isn't time for the opponent to step back and take it after the bounce (at least not effectively). When I hit that shot well, sure, the pro returns it, but the return is nothing special and for at least that brief instant, my partner and I are in control of the point (yay us!).

[@zevwaldman6941]

This is a very helpful comment. Appreciate it.

[@alp.2330]

Great video! I just received my Slingerbag. I can’t wait to try your drills! Sharing the settings and position was very helpful! Please continue to make more drilling videos with the Slingerbag.

[@kcarwen5262]

I just got the Slinger ball machine, using your discount code. More videos like this please 🙏

[@mca10spro]

I love your videos Nicole. You are the high bar to reach for in making these videos. Thx so much.

[@nicholastran8257]

These are on point. Can we get more videos of drilling with the slinger machine?

[@brianbanks3044]

i have the Simon and love it....doesn't oscillate but repetition is the key

[@jimkazmarek5302]

Yep! Good stuff. I set 3 cones on each side. Helps me to have targets.

[@nilkamals]

I see you're teaching more one handed on the backhand side. How do you feel about the two handed vs 1 handed backhand?

[@jeffsingletary1876]

I purchased the slinger bag on your recommendation when you first reviewed it. I love it. And this training video is excellent. I can hardly wait to go and train.

[@primetimepickleball]

Great to hear!

[@ggsd4903]

Great instruction🎉

[@primetimepickleball]

Glad it was helpful!

[@SlamMasterPickleball]

You can also train with the Slam Master.

[@jorgemilanes8546]

Do you recommend using the Slinger balls that come with the bag or a ball more likely used in tournaments or league play like Franklin or Selkirk? Great tips, thanks!

[@primetimepickleball]

For best results I'd use the ones you use in tournament play. Balls play differently.

[@user-rd9sr6sw8f]

How we can contact Nicole Havlicek for more informations about Slingerbag?

[@primetimepickleball]

[e-mail]

[@cindythomas7701]

What is the cost of this machine