Driving from the baseline and transition zone is a fundamental shot all pickleball players must learn. The keys to a great drive are:

1. Grip

2. Footwork

3. Stance

4. Swing

   • Take back

   • Contact point

   • Follow through

5. Staying level throughout the stroke

6. When drilling or playing a game, use a 3 step progression. Start off driving at 50-60% power until you feel comfortable and all your drives are going where you want. Then increase to 60-75%, and finally, 75%-90%. I don't recommend 90-100% since unforced errors increase and you don't need that much power.

7. Do not drive hard unless you are on balance and can shift your weight forward.

Backhand

First we have to determine whether you are a one hander or two hander. I recommend trying both and one should jump out as feeling normal or better than the other. 

This video from Enhance Pickleball gives you a good foundation for the backhand drive. The two areas I disagree with the coach is 1) The one handed grip. I recommend trying an Eastern Backhand grip where the right index knuckle is on Bevel 1, the top bevel. The first grip to try for a 2 handed backhand is the Dominant hand in a Continental Grip (2nd bevel) and the top hand in an Eastern Forehand grip or 3rd bevel. The off hand does 80% of the work in a 2 handed backhand. 2) The paddle should be dropped low during the take back so you can make contact as you're coming up on the ball to create topspin.

Jordan Briones coaching a student who has a good one handed backhand.

A good coaching session on the 2 handed backhand from Briones Pickleball.

Forehand

A good coaching session on the forehand and 2 handed backhand. Some keypoints: 

1. Practice your 2 handed backhand with just the off hand forehand to build up muscle memory and coordination.

2. Stay level throughout the stroke

3. Footwork and spacing are critical to making good contact

4. Large tennis backswings are not necessary