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Generate effortless power
Paul from Pickleball Daily
February 10, 2026
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Tip of the day
Professional player Mari Humberg explains that maximum power on drives and putaways comes from the ground up rather than relying on a heavy arm swing.
Many amateur players struggle with power because they hit with an open stance that prevents their hips from rotating into the shot effectively.
The unit turn is the core foundation for generating force as it involves turning the hips and shoulders together as one cohesive movement.
Closing your stance naturally forces a unit turn and is highly recommended for players who are currently struggling to engage their lower bodies.
A simple throwing drill can demonstrate the massive difference in force between using just the arm versus rotating the entire torso.
Focusing on body rotation during a drive actually increases topspin and causes the ball to dip faster while also providing forward momentum toward the net.
Power from your shots should feel effortless because it originates from the rotation of the hips and shoulders while the arm remains relatively controlled and loose.
At the kitchen line, you can generate significant putaway power by turning your shoulders even when you are forced to remain in an open stance.
A tight arm is often a sign that a player is overcompensating for a lack of body rotation which actually limits both speed and control.
Finishing your stroke with your body moving forward ensures that you are utilizing your full weight to drive the ball through the court.
Key Points:
Engage your hips and shoulders in a unit turn to unlock effortless power on every drive.
Use a closed stance to help automate the feeling of rotating your body through the ball.
Keep your hitting arm loose and relaxed to allow your torso rotation to dictate the speed.
Point your non-dominant arm toward the ball to assist with balance and proper shoulder alignment.
Bend your knees to generate force from the ground up rather than swinging from the shoulders.
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That’s it for today! As always, thank you for reading. 🙏
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Happy pickling,
Paul