I think this is a good example of someone who’s not naturally athletic but has put the time and effort into learning to be. It’s actually helpful to see where struggle and misunderstanding comes in
advice from a badminton player: for your swing path- at the beginning, your paddle face should be closed and cutting through the air (this will make your paddle move a lot faster) until the point of contact. At point of contact, paddle face should be open for that brief moment and close off as your paddle comes down. Make sure you snap your wrist at point of contact (this will generate extra power)
Also from a badminton player, another tip is to lead with the elbow and your paddle should be facing up at the end. The paddle facing up means you have successfully used forearm pronation.
First video I've seen on overheads, gonna be an absolute game changer! I've been just shy of 4.0, and not being able to put the ball away is a weakness of mine. Loved how thorough this is, watching till the end was so worth it, looking forward to trying it out!
Thank you so much for this video. After playing for nearly a year, I’m finally getting the pace I’ve been wanting with my overheads thanks to these techniques!
Such helpful videos. Nick is a great teacher. Tried the volley tips from the other day and saw immediate improvement in my blocking at the kitchen line (after practicing in the mirror at home first). Will definitely try to put these smash instructions to use this weekend.
Ok. This is the second time I have commented in the last couple of days because I just discovered your channel, and I am so happy that I did. I loved the learning process that you and Nick went through. By the end when you did the steps it felt very much like tai chi. That will help me for sure. You two together are pure gold. I am a 61 year old woman who has been at pickleball for about a year now. I've watched a lot of pickleball channels, but yours is by for the most enjoyable and helpful to watch. I love your personality and your joy for the game. Great job!
Weird! I was taught some tennis from a friend when I was a teen. Not in any competitive way. But it's funny seeing someone that doesn't know how to overhead smash. I never really thought about PB not having a lot of overhead action. My friend always said to use your non-dominant hand to target the ball and then the circular motion to smash it with the other. It's very satisfying but I forgot I even learned that until now because I about died laughing when you were hopping but of course, it wasn't second nature when I learned it either haha.
It's a lot like a tennis serve. What helped me was to focus more on the trophy position, pointing at the ball and getting the paddle cocked and ready, then following the ball with my left hand to help move myself into the right place on the court. At first it was much easier to stay in balance and not worry at all about the weight transfer. Just like Nick said around the 12:00 mark, you can do the whole overhead without having your feet leave the ground. As you get better, you'll more naturally jump if necessary and shift your weight in that rocking way.
A key, as you can see around 15:00 is that your paddle almost touches your back between the shoulder blades. Someone not getting this can make their trophy position actually start with the paddle touching your back so you can snap it up at the ball. That simplifies the idea until you can proceed to learn the entire sequence.
Great video! I don't think much about technique on overheads, but it was really interesting to watch all the different parts about overheads come together with such immediate results. Not sure it would be interesting to anybody else, but it would be neat to me to see a video focused on balance. During the legwork section, Nick talks about landing on your left foot with the right foot extended. What about a video that expands on that and goes into why certain limbs are extended during which shots to not only keep balance but improve the strength of the shot?
Great video Ed! I didn't come from tennis either and overheads were the weakest part of my game w/ a previous shoulder injury and horrible footwork (backpedaling). I had to learn two different overhead techniques from scratch: 1) the one nick is teaching you, similar to the tennis serve. i think this works for 90% of overheads 2) the "scissor kick" overhead. similar to what you were initially doing. it exists in tennis and badminton. For #1 my cue is "I'm a football quarterback", and that makes me turn my body sideways, run with my paddle hand + paddle near my dominant shoulder, and point at the ball. Then when I hit the ball I "throw my paddle". The turning sideways part was the key thing haha For #2 it's definitely a different motion you have to train, but badminton players do it a lot more than tennis players IMO. would be cool to see a video on #2 once you get #1 down!
Hey Ed just watched this video. One thing I noticed is you’re trying to hit overheads with a pancake grip rather than continental. Hitting continental allows for you to better turn your body sideways as Nick was showing you as well as increases racket head acceleration during your swing. All high level tennis players serve and hit overheads this way.
Didn’t even think of this aspect for non tennis players haha. But I’m surprised he didn’t tell you to use a continental grip, yours are all over heads using a “frying pan or forehand grip”. Continental will help keep your body sideways as well.
Ed, have you considered changing your grip to a continental grip for overheads? You said you don’t come from a tennis background so I know it’d feel very unnatural at first. But that’s the grip Nick is using and other tennis-to-pickleball players would as well.
Good info. Question: You and Nick talked about moving while pointing at the ball to get it in your ‘strike zone’ . Just how do we find the strike zone for an overhead? Best regards.
Use your left hand to help you position your legs. Just like a drive, you use your left hand to locate where to hit the ball. You should do the same for the overhead. This is avoid you doing the fade away (jumping backward) overhead which lack power.
I usually yell "CALL AN AMBULANCE" while I'm winding up for an overhead, it makes the other team second-guess whether they really want to try and get the ball back in play
Ed, footwork pushing back sideways is the most important thing. You can cover 10 feet with 2 steps. The things you have working against you are that you are small and not real athletic.
Ed your way out of my league in skill but just something I noticed. Your friend is clearly doing ONE thing your not. When he loads he does a clear trophy point. I know it may look a little corny but its whats giving him that balance. You do sort of a half pose like 1 out of 5 times. Making you inconsistent. Watch the video and you will see.
I think this is a good example of someone who’s not naturally athletic but has put the time and effort into learning to be. It’s actually helpful to see where struggle and misunderstanding comes in
Fr like the absolute dedication and documentation is really what gets you far
I love the humility. This is something you don’t see a lot on the internet. You are breaking down barriers. Thank you! This was amazing.
advice from a badminton player: for your swing path- at the beginning, your paddle face should be closed and cutting through the air (this will make your paddle move a lot faster) until the point of contact. At point of contact, paddle face should be open for that brief moment and close off as your paddle comes down. Make sure you snap your wrist at point of contact (this will generate extra power)
Also from a badminton player, another tip is to lead with the elbow and your paddle should be facing up at the end. The paddle facing up means you have successfully used forearm pronation.
Thanks for this extra tip!!
That last bit about looping down really helpful. Thanks for this one.
Wow, this was so informational. Nick is an excellent teacher.
First video I've seen on overheads, gonna be an absolute game changer! I've been just shy of 4.0, and not being able to put the ball away is a weakness of mine. Loved how thorough this is, watching till the end was so worth it, looking forward to trying it out!
Thank you so much for this video. After playing for nearly a year, I’m finally getting the pace I’ve been wanting with my overheads thanks to these techniques!
Love this!! Seriously i even took screen shots! Im determined to teach my opponents "I'm no pushover!" Take this!!!💪
Keep these coming please 🤗
That’s right! You got this! 🙌🏼
Such helpful videos. Nick is a great teacher. Tried the volley tips from the other day and saw immediate improvement in my blocking at the kitchen line (after practicing in the mirror at home first). Will definitely try to put these smash instructions to use this weekend.
Ok. This is the second time I have commented in the last couple of days because I just discovered your channel, and I am so happy that I did. I loved the learning process that you and Nick went through. By the end when you did the steps it felt very much like tai chi. That will help me for sure. You two together are pure gold. I am a 61 year old woman who has been at pickleball for about a year now. I've watched a lot of pickleball channels, but yours is by for the most enjoyable and helpful to watch. I love your personality and your joy for the game. Great job!
Thanks so much!! 🙏
Weird! I was taught some tennis from a friend when I was a teen. Not in any competitive way. But it's funny seeing someone that doesn't know how to overhead smash. I never really thought about PB not having a lot of overhead action. My friend always said to use your non-dominant hand to target the ball and then the circular motion to smash it with the other. It's very satisfying but I forgot I even learned that until now because I about died laughing when you were hopping but of course, it wasn't second nature when I learned it either haha.
Great video. The "hit early" tip is super help. I can see how it increases one's power and speed.
Nice video. I have trouble with hitting overhead lobs. This is quite helpful. Thanks!
Yeah, the footings is important, and the swing arc. Tq, I was just looking for this tutorial and got it 🎉
It's a lot like a tennis serve. What helped me was to focus more on the trophy position, pointing at the ball and getting the paddle cocked and ready, then following the ball with my left hand to help move myself into the right place on the court. At first it was much easier to stay in balance and not worry at all about the weight transfer. Just like Nick said around the 12:00 mark, you can do the whole overhead without having your feet leave the ground. As you get better, you'll more naturally jump if necessary and shift your weight in that rocking way.
A key, as you can see around 15:00 is that your paddle almost touches your back between the shoulder blades. Someone not getting this can make their trophy position actually start with the paddle touching your back so you can snap it up at the ball. That simplifies the idea until you can proceed to learn the entire sequence.
Just want to say that I love your dedication to the game
Great video! I don't think much about technique on overheads, but it was really interesting to watch all the different parts about overheads come together with such immediate results.
Not sure it would be interesting to anybody else, but it would be neat to me to see a video focused on balance. During the legwork section, Nick talks about landing on your left foot with the right foot extended. What about a video that expands on that and goes into why certain limbs are extended during which shots to not only keep balance but improve the strength of the shot?
Great video instruction! You guys make a great team.
Great video! I'd like to see a great % of the video showing the stroke being done correctly vs the miscues. And slo-mos of Nick doing the overhead
Great video Ed! I didn't come from tennis either and overheads were the weakest part of my game w/ a previous shoulder injury and horrible footwork (backpedaling).
I had to learn two different overhead techniques from scratch:
1) the one nick is teaching you, similar to the tennis serve. i think this works for 90% of overheads
2) the "scissor kick" overhead. similar to what you were initially doing. it exists in tennis and badminton.
For #1 my cue is "I'm a football quarterback", and that makes me turn my body sideways, run with my paddle hand + paddle near my dominant shoulder, and point at the ball. Then when I hit the ball I "throw my paddle". The turning sideways part was the key thing haha
For #2 it's definitely a different motion you have to train, but badminton players do it a lot more than tennis players IMO. would be cool to see a video on #2 once you get #1 down!
Hey Ed just watched this video. One thing I noticed is you’re trying to hit overheads with a pancake grip rather than continental. Hitting continental allows for you to better turn your body sideways as Nick was showing you as well as increases racket head acceleration during your swing. All high level tennis players serve and hit overheads this way.
Didn’t even think of this aspect for non tennis players haha. But I’m surprised he didn’t tell you to use a continental grip, yours are all over heads using a “frying pan or forehand grip”. Continental will help keep your body sideways as well.
Ed, have you considered changing your grip to a continental grip for overheads?
You said you don’t come from a tennis background so I know it’d feel very unnatural at first. But that’s the grip Nick is using and other tennis-to-pickleball players would as well.
Great detailed skill from Nick. Thank you.
Great video. We really see how to make the moves
Helpful content. Appreciate how this was presented.
Love the vid. I can relate with Ed. Like the extra questions asked. Unlike the other pro vids that just show themselves.
This is absolutely gold！ ❤❤
This was GOOD!
Good info. Question: You and Nick talked about moving while pointing at the ball to get it in your ‘strike zone’ . Just how do we find the strike zone for an overhead? Best regards.
excellent session. Thanks.
My pleasure!
Use your left hand to help you position your legs. Just like a drive, you use your left hand to locate where to hit the ball. You should do the same for the overhead. This is avoid you doing the fade away (jumping backward) overhead which lack power.
Ed I didn’t watch the whole thing, but you should throw your elbow forward before throwing your hand. You seem to be leading with hand. 😊
I usually yell "CALL AN AMBULANCE" while I'm winding up for an overhead, it makes the other team second-guess whether they really want to try and get the ball back in play
ha ha- I would call you out for talking during a point
That you Ed, love the technique vids.
Towards the end, I thought I was watching Titanic 😂
great instruction
As you're practicing and learning, have the machine feed th3 balls to the same spot each time, one less variable to deal with
Bro you should try having a continental grip. It’s helped me ton when learning to hit an over head.
Ed, which ball machine is this? I’m looking for one. Thanks.
It’s called a titan!
The best overhead I have have ever been taught was by my badminton coach
thks!
What mic are you using?
All those open courts... what a dream... 😢
Id suggest learning mace/club flow and casting. It's literally the same motion as an overhead.
Interesting. It's like the same as hitting a volleyball
last few minutes could be a nice intro
Thanks so....much both of you❤❤ can I have Nick channel please 🙏🙏🙏❤❤❤
Ed, footwork pushing back sideways is the most important thing. You can cover 10 feet with 2 steps. The things you have working against you are that you are small and not real athletic.
Just learn from the Badminton overhead smash, Include the court coverage steps. Results will come.
Wow, so I'm not that bad :P
“Why don’t you explain this to me like I’m 5” ahah.. no hate though, I learned stuff.
Ed your way out of my league in skill but just something I noticed. Your friend is clearly doing ONE thing your not. When he loads he does a clear trophy point. I know it may look a little corny but its whats giving him that balance. You do sort of a half pose like 1 out of 5 times. Making you inconsistent. Watch the video and you will see.
height matters too
Ed, soon as you went down then up, your arms looked way more loose
Looks like a bit like a baseball pitcher throwing the ball.
You should learn it from badminton players.
Guy in tank has a god awful overhead .