Beginner Pickleball Mistake: Why UK Players Swing Forehands Across Their Body — And How to Fix It

When UK Beginners Hit Forehands Across Their Body: Identifying the Safe Swing Habit
Across England’s community centres and leisure halls, beginner pickleball players are learning the game with enthusiasm. Courts are filling with first-time participants eager to master dinks, serves, and basic strategy. But among the many habits that emerge early, one stands out as both common and limiting: the tendency to swing forehands across the body.

It is a subtle pattern that coaches and experienced players begin to notice as they watch beginners rally. Instead of using footwork to position for a clean stroke, many players stay planted and swing from the shoulder, allowing the paddle to travel across their torso. At first glance, it appears controlled. In reality, it creates a weak, predictable shot — and over time, it holds players back.

Understanding where this habit comes from, and how to correct it, is essential for improving play across beginner groups in the UK.

The Mechanics Behind the Movement
At the core of this issue is body orientation. When a ball comes toward a player’s forehand side, the most effective approach is to position the body so that the paddle travels forward through the ball, with weight transfer from the back foot to the front. This requires movement, timing, and balance.

But beginners, particularly those still developing court awareness, often do not move their feet quickly enough. Instead, they reach. And when reaching feels awkward or unbalanced, they compromise by swinging the paddle across their body, from right to left (for right-handers), allowing the torso to absorb the adjustment.

This across-the-body motion feels safe. It is compact. It avoids the risk of over-rotation. And in a sport like pickleball — where many beginners are cautious about errors — anything that feels safe often becomes habit.

The trouble is, this type of swing limits both power and placement. Shots become loopy or shallow. Opponents can anticipate direction. And the ability to vary angles or apply spin is lost.

Why It Happens in UK Settings
There are specific reasons why this habit is particularly visible in English beginner groups.

First, many UK clubs are short on dedicated coaches. Most beginners learn from other recreational players, picking up habits by watching rather than through technical instruction. When guidance is informal, players default to what feels comfortable — not necessarily what is biomechanically correct.

Second, the space constraints of British indoor halls often discourage wide movement. Courts are packed tightly alongside each other, with minimal out-of-bounds room. Players learn early to avoid overextending, and footwork development takes a back seat.

Third, many British players come to pickleball without a racquet sports background. Unlike those who transition from tennis or badminton, true beginners have no muscle memory for lateral movement or weight transfer. Their instinct is to play within a small radius, relying on the arms rather than the legs.

One coach from Manchester noted, “They want to get the ball over the net, not take control of it. So they choose a swing that feels simple, even if it’s not effective.”

The Problem It Creates
The across-the-body forehand has three main consequences.

Loss of Control and Directional Accuracy
Because the swing path travels diagonally rather than forward, the paddle face often opens or closes unpredictably. This leads to mishits, particularly when trying to place the ball down the line or crosscourt.

Inability to Generate Pace
Without forward weight transfer, shots lack drive. Beginners who rely on shoulder-only swings struggle to pass opponents or capitalise on open court space.

Vulnerability at the Net
The habit carries into volleys. Players who try to block or flick volleys across the body often lose paddle stability, sending balls high or wide. At the non-volley zone, this becomes a serious liability.

As skill levels increase, this habit becomes more costly. Advanced players spot it immediately. They hit to the same side repeatedly, knowing the return will be soft and central. The beginner has little time to adjust, and rallies end quickly.

Recognising the Safe Swing Habit
For coaches and club organisers, identifying this habit early is critical. Fortunately, it is easy to spot with a few simple indicators:

The player stands flat-footed and does not step into the shot

The paddle travels from the player’s dominant side across to their centre or non-dominant side

Follow-through finishes across the chest, often with the shoulders rotating after contact

Shots float to the middle of the court with no clear angle

Filming rallies can help players see the pattern themselves. Many are unaware of how limited their swing path has become until they view it from behind the baseline.

How to Fix It
Correcting this habit requires a mix of technical instruction and confidence building.

Step 1: Reintroduce Footwork
Beginners must be taught to move into position before swinging. Simple ladder drills or side-to-side shuffles can improve lateral awareness. Even five minutes per session makes a difference.

Step 2: Reinforce Forward Contact
Coaches can place cones to encourage contact in front of the body, not across the torso. This helps players visualise the correct swing arc and paddle angle.

Step 3: Use Shadow Swings
Without a ball, have players practise proper motion from ready position to follow-through, focusing on hips, shoulders, and feet working together. Repetition builds new muscle memory.

Step 4: Play Isolation Games
One effective method is a mini-game where players can only hit to the forehand side and must return crosscourt. This removes pressure and allows focus on clean technique.

Step 5: Offer Positive Reinforcement
The fear of making mistakes keeps many beginners from experimenting with fuller swings. Coaches should celebrate good form even when the shot misses. Progress should be valued over outcome.

Club-Level Implications
Clubs that want to support technical development should consider building this type of correction into beginner programming. A short footwork or swing fundamentals session every fortnight can shift habits before they take root.

Pairing newer players with mentors during open play can also help. Experienced players who model good swing habits naturally encourage imitation, and subtle guidance during play is often better received than formal correction.

It is also important for club leaders to normalise learning. When the culture prioritises improvement over flawless rallies, players become more willing to break habits that feel safe but limit growth.

A Small Adjustment With Big Impact
The across-the-body forehand may seem minor. But correcting it has wide-reaching effects. Players who swing through the ball cleanly begin to control pace. They find angles. They develop rhythm. And most importantly, they gain confidence in their ability to shape the game — not just survive it.

At the beginner level, these small gains add up quickly. Players who feel effective begin to enjoy the sport more deeply. They show up to sessions regularly. They seek out coaching. They invite others to join.

Helping a new player replace a safe habit with a strong one is not just a technical fix. It is an investment in long-term engagement with the sport. And for UK clubs looking to grow, those small adjustments might matter more than any number of new paddles or painted courts.