Every backhand decision in pickleball starts with one simple question:
Can I take this ball out of the air?
From there, options branch quickly — attack, reset, two hands, one hand, speed up, hold position. What separates solid players from great ones is not shot variety — it’s decision quality. Below is the exact backhand decision tree Zane uses in professional play, with notes on how our XRZ™ pickleball shoe supports each step.
Step 1: Can You Take the Ball Out of the Air?
Your first instinct during a dink rally should be to volley whenever possible.
There are two reasons:
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You contact the ball higher.
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You maintain kitchen line position.
Unless the dink is very high, floaty, or short, taking it out of the air applies pressure, invites shorter returns, and forces opponent errors.
How XRZ helps:
The XRZ’s balance-focused platform and responsive traction deliver stability at the net. When you load into a volley or split step to take a ball early, the shoe’s grip and support help you stay centered and ready for the next shot.
If you can’t reach the ball while staying balanced, let it bounce.
Step 2: Should You Attack the Volley?
Deciding whether to attack depends on:
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Your skill set
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Opponent’s skill set
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Positioning
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Ball height
Players with confident aerial attacks can take more aggressive swings from lower positions. Others wait for cleaner opportunities.
How XRZ helps:
Dynamic lateral support and forefoot grip in the XRZ give you confidence to explode into an attack or redirect weight quickly. That stability lets you trust your feet while evaluating whether to speed up the ball.
Attack only when the odds favor you — aim for >50% success. Track results and adjust.
Step 3: If It Bounces, What Backhand Do You Use?
Once the ball bounces, you decide between:
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One-handed slice — more reach
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Two-handed backhand — more forward power
If the bounce is in front and in range, the two-handed backhand is usually better because it allows more offensive options and aggressive dinks.
How XRZ helps:
The XRZ’s stable heel and balanced midsole give you a solid base to shift weight forward into a two-handed stroke or settle back into a slice without losing balance.
If it’s out of range for a two-hander, the wider range of the one-handed slice becomes necessary.
Step 4: Should You Attack the Two-Hander?
Again, this comes down to judgment:
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Ball height
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Court position
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Your capabilities
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Opponent tendencies
There is no universal “yes/no,” but generally, you should attack balls you think you can win more than you lose.
How XRZ helps:
When you decide to press an attack, the XRZ’s traction and support smooth your forward momentum and allow you to change direction quickly, helping you finish points with aggression rather than hesitation.
After every decision, reflect:
Was the attack earned or lucky?
What would I do next time?
This feedback loop sharpens judgment.
Step 5: The One-Handed Slice
If you can’t attack and can’t reach a two-handed backhand, the slice becomes a defensive reset.
This is not a power position. Opponents know it. They will look to take initiative.
How XRZ helps:
Even in defensive moments, the XRZ’s stability and balance allow you to stay low, shift weight back, and place the slice accurately helping you neutralize momentum and reset the point.
The Big Picture
This decision tree is not about hitting more aggressive shots.
It’s about making smart choices and trusting your body to execute them.
The XRZ™ pickleball shoe supports this process by enhancing:
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Balance at the net
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Confidence in movement
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Stability in offense and defense
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Quick transitions between decisions
Great players evaluate, commit, and learn from every choice. That clarity, supported by gear that keeps you centered and responsive, is what turns options into confidence.