Road To 5.0

How To Generate More Power On Your Forehand Drive

Title
  • By Coach Tyler Stroyek

Meet Coach Tyler

Former D1 tennis player turned pickleball instructor, Coach Tyler is Cypher Pickleball's resident expert for improving your game. 

Title

The Common Mistake

Many players approach their forehand drive by stepping forward immediately with their front foot. 

 

The problem?

 

When you move straight forward without looking first, you're not building any stored energy in your body. That means your swing is relying mostly on arm motion rather than your legs and hips...which is where the REAL power comes from.

The Key? Load First, Then Drive

The real power in a forehand drive comes from loading your outside leg first. Think of it as a two-step sequence. 

 

1. Load on your outside leg 

2. Transfer your weight forward onto your front foot

 

This loading phase stores energy in your legs and hips. When you shift forward that stored energy releases through your body and into the paddle. 

 

The result? A much more powerful and controlled shot.

Think - Load & Step

A helpful way to visualize the movement is:

 

Load -> Transfer -> Drive

 

Not simply stepping forward. When you load on your outside leg first, your body is able to generate momentum and rotation that naturally carries into the shot.


That's what creates a true forehand drive instead of a "push" shot.

Meet 
Coach Tyler

Former D1 tennis player turned pickleball instructor, Coach Tyler is Cypher Pickleball's resident expert for improving your game.

For more, follow Cypher Pickleball

2025 Content Creator & Coach of the Year

Owner at Universal Rackets

Calls South Florida Home

The Common Mistake

Many players approach their forehand drive by stepping forward immediately with their front foot. 

 

The problem?

 

When you move straight forward without looking first, you're not building any stored energy in your body. That means your swing is relying mostly on arm motion rather than your legs and hips...which is where the REAL power comes from.

The KEY? LOAD FIRST, THEN DRIVE

The real power in a forehand drive comes from loading your outside leg first. Think of it as a two-step sequence. 

 

1. Load on your outside leg 

2. Transfer your weight forward onto your front foot

 

This loading phase stores energy in your legs and hips. When you shift forward that stored energy releases through your body and into the paddle. 

 

The result? A much more powerful and controlled shot.

Think LOAD & STEP

A helpful way to visualize the movement is:

 

Load -> Transfer -> Drive

 

Not simply stepping forward. When you load on your outside leg first, your body is able to generate momentum and rotation that naturally carries into the shot.


That's what creates a true forehand drive instead of a "push" shot.

Don't Work On Your Footwork
With The WRONG Footwear

See why Coach Tyler recommends Cypher KEY211s for all things pickleball

Shop All Shoes

Play More Of The Game You Love

A compression molded EVA midsole and shock absorbing removeable insole absorb the intensity of jarring court surfaces and help you stay comfortable while playing more pickleball.

Save Money

A reinforced 5.5mm thick carbon rubber outsole combats abrasion and stands up to aggressive pickleball wear-and-tear.

Avoid The ER

A laterally reinforced upper, midsole, and outsole with edge radii balance stability with responsiveness to help you find your footing while making quick cuts on the court.

Join Our Community

Loved by over 30,000 serious players, come see why Cypher Pickleball is the leader in pickleball innovation starting from the ground up.

Don't Work On Footwork With The WRONG Footwear

See why Coach Tyler recommends The Cypher KEY211 for all things pickleball.

Trusted by over 30,000+

serious players

SHOP ALL SHOES

KEY211 - Cloud White

Shop Women's

Shop Men's

KEY211 - Stealth Black

Shop Women's

Shop Men's

You might also like...

Our Chief Manufacturing Officer

With over 30 years of experience bringing shoes to life at the likes of Nike, Adidas, and The North Face, Seth is bringing world-class footwear expertise to Cypher.

Read More

Podiatrist: Tips For Avoiding Injury

Learn how to avoid common pickleball foot injuries with advice from a podiatrist who understands the demands of the game.

Read More

Introducing The PxC Pro

We're building our most innovative shoe in public, not in a board room. Come see what a year's worth of purposeful design looks like.

Read More