Overhead Slams in Pickleball 

Going to share some of my own opinions on the overhead slam in pickleball.  

1. Expectations: no one is trying to injure you or hit you in the face or head but it can happen by accident.  Accept the person’s apology and move on.  Remember no one has perfect aim, also players sometimes just react before having time to think. 
2. Expectations.  If you enter a tournament, expect your opponents to use the slam shot.  If not comfortable with that, stick to recreation pickleball or form your own group to play on your own times.  But both my recent pro instructor and also the Thursday night instructor in Conway both stated the important of learning how to defend slams and also”bangers”, folks that hit every ball hard as pickleball is tending to harder and faster shots. So if you want to improve at pickleball, work on your defense! 
3. Expectations: don’t slam beginners. Apologize if you hit someone by accident. Slams OK for advanced and intermediate players, aim for feet for lower intermediate players. 
4. Defense. The overhead slam is a common shot in pickleball and will be the “go to” shot  if your team pops up the ball.  The best way to deal with slams is to practice defending them.
   1. Try to avoid popping up the ball 
   2. Be at the kitchen line in ready position: paddle out in front, knees bent, anticipating the ball. If you are standing back from the kitchen line and have your paddle at your side, you are a “sitting duck” for a slam. 
   3. Safety first. If a ball is coming at your head, duck or slide to the slide. Wear safety glasses if you are worried about being able to handle slams. 
   4. Use the 10 rule.  The force of the incoming shot and your shot should be equal 10 in intensity.  If the shots coming on at 10 (max), just stick out your paddle, no need to swing at all.
   5. If you see that you are giving the other team a high pop up and you have time to move back, do so.  A slam is really to easy to return after it bounces. 
5. Offense: generally aim for feet especially paddle/dominant side.  Hip and mid chest (paddle side, paddle height – aka chicken wing) are also good places offensively in tournaments and with intermediate/advanced players. Slams at sharp angle away from player and also down the middle are also good depending where other team is positioned.  If you slam a lot, mix it up and do a fake slam and dink the ball, etc. 

Here’s a good video on defending against “bangers”.