Learning how to defend a smash in pickleball is a crucial skill for players at every level. Being on the receiving end of a powerful overhead can feel overwhelming, but with the right reset techniques, you can turn defense into opportunity.
1. Get Back for More Reaction Time
If you see your opponents gearing up for an overhead, take a step back off the Non-Volley Zone line to buy yourself a fraction more reaction time. This extra bit of space may be the difference between you or your partner being able to react to the pickleball and getting beaten. Only take a step back off the Kitchen line if you quickly recognize the smash and have time to retreat.
2. Lower Your Center
The best defense starts with a solid base. Lower your center of gravity by bending your knees, keep your paddle low, and focus on staying balanced. This posture gives you a better chance to react quickly and absorb the incoming force.
2. Use Soft Hands to Take Control
To neutralize a hard shot, you need soft hands. That means relaxing your grip pressure. Think of holding your paddle like a tube of toothpaste you don’t want to squeeze. Let the paddle absorb the energy of the ball instead of forcing a return. This technique turns a power shot into a gentle drop or controlled block that resets the point.
3. Reset in the Kitchen
Your goal isn’t to return fire with fire; it’s to reset the rally. When defending a smash, try to redirect the ball into the Non-Volley Zone (NVZ), ideally with a soft, unattackable dink. A low, short return to the kitchen can neutralize your opponent’s advantage and shift the rally back to neutral ground.
4. Read Your Opponents, Not Just the Ball
Experienced players often give away clues before they hit a smash. Watch your opponent’s body language as their shoulders, paddle height, and positioning may give away their next move. Reading their motion can give you a split-second advantage to prepare your defense.
5. Reposition After the Reset
Once you manage to block or drop the ball into the kitchen, don’t admire your handiwork; get ready. Quickly recover your position, especially if you’re near the baseline. Your reset buys you time, but only if you use it to regain a strong court position.
Turn Your Overhead Smash Defense into Opportunity
Defending the smash isn’t about having lightning reflexes; it’s about staying composed, softening your return, and turning defense into opportunity. Even if you can’t always win the point, making your opponent hit one more shot can be the difference between a loss and a comeback.
So next time you see that paddle go up for the kill shot, take a breath, bend your knees, and get ready to reset like a pro.
WANT MORE PICKLEBALL TIPS AND STRATEGIES?
Want to stop overhead smashes before they happen? Check out The Pickler’s guide on 9 Common Reasons Why You’re Popping Up the Pickleball and learn how to keep your shots low and unattackable.
If you want more pickleball tips and strategies on every aspect of your pickleball game, check out Pickler’s online video lesson collection called My Pro Pickleball Coach. My Pro Pickleball Coach is a fraction of the price of one clinic or even one lesson, and features over 140 video lessons (over 7 hours of instruction!), as well as a corresponding e-book. These online video lessons are available on demand 24/7 and breakdown every aspect of the sport of pickleball, including pickleball drills, strategy, and advanced concepts, so you will play your best pickleball.
