HOW TO GET TO THE NET AFTER SERVING
The serving team is at a disadvantage because the returning team will be at the net before the return of serve is touched by the serving team.
The serving team must get to the net as fast and as safe as possible to level the playing field.
The third hit is very important – 1.The serve 2. The return of serve 3.The serving team’s second hit.
There are three methods to get to the net.
1.Blast the ball as low and hard as you can over the net. This is counter productive because it does not give you enough time to get all the way to the NO VOLLEY ZONE line and it is a low percentage shot against a good volleying team.
2. Lob down the middle over the left players backhand which is not an easy shot.
3. Dink the ball into the no volley zone. This slow soft shot will give you and your partner plenty of time to get to the net. It is not an easy shot.
Practicing and mastering this strategy will quickly bring your game to the next level. Find a partner to feed you balls and you try to hit the ball into the NO VOLLEY ZONE at different distances from the net and then you feed your partner balls. What ever method you decide to use communicate this to your partner first so he will know when to move to the line.
If you do not get all the way up to the no volley zone line before your opponent is about to hit the ball, you must stop in a spit step position [both feet parallel to each other in your volley ready position].
Never ever be moving at the point of contact of your opponent touching the ball.
It is better to stop in no man’s land balanced and ready to move in any direction than a little closer to the net and not balanced or ready.
The third hit is very important for you to get to the next level.
Good luck.
– Coach Mo
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HOW TO PLAY THE WIND IN PICKLEBALL
1. While standing in line before playing check the wind by looking for a flag, weather vane at the top of a recreation center, or best of all the wind screen vent holes.
2. Pick the side of the court that is more advantages to your type of game.
3. Hit three or four lobs before starting to play so you can tell the direction and speed of the wind. This will save losing points getting the feel of the wind after the game starts.
4. Try and convince yourself that the wind is bothering your opponents more than you.
TYPES OF WIND
1. Steady wind straight into your face about 5 to 10 miles per hour.
A. Excellent wind to lob into because the ball tends to go over your opponents head and drop straight down into the court, especially if you put top spin on the ball. Beginners and intermediate, I feel, play better because they tend to over hit the ball and this type of wind will keep the ball in play better.
2. Steady wind at your back about 10 to 20 miles per hour.
A. The best for all levels of play, especially advanced hard hitters. The combination of a very fast wind and a hard hitter does not give a player time to get out of the way of the ball or read whether the ball is going out. A 10 to 20 mile an hour wind in your face tends to set up the ball for your opponent, which makes it easier to smash.
3. A gusty and swirling wind. You must constantly be conscious of the changes in speed and swirling of the wind and be very lucky. You are at the mercy of the wind.
4. A steady cross wind , left or right. You must keep the ball, as much as possible, to the side of the court that the wind is blowing toward the court, not away from the court. The ball will not blow out of bounds.
THE WIND IS A PERSONAL THING. THERE ARE PLUSES AND MINUSES TO ALL TYPES OF WIND. THERE IS NO RIGHT OR WRONG.THESE ARE SOME GENERAL STRATEGIES.
WHEN TWO TEAMS ARE OF EQUAL ABILITY, THEN THE TEAM THAT PLAYS THE WIND THE BEST, WILL WIN MUCH MORE OFTEN!
– Coach Mo
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THE THINGS PLAYERS FORGET TO DO BEFORE THEY START PLAYING A GAME OF PICKLEBALL
1.Analyze the wind speed and direction. A. Hit 4 or 5 lobs during the warm up, rather than getting the feel of the wind during the game and losing points.
B. Keep checking the wind throughout the game for changes. Watch the vent flaps on the fence wind screens.
2.Check the opposing team for left hander players, so you don’t keep feeding their forehand by mistake.
A. If a team has one left hander then watch for the times that both backhands are toward the center of court and put the lion’s share of your shots down the middle.
3.Drink a lot of water before you feel thirsty. It takes too long to get into your system if you wait until you feel thirsty.
4.A team is only as strong as its weakest players weakest shot. Before you start, be aware of who is the weaker player and both of your opponents major weaknesses.
A. If you have never seen your opponents before, then start making a mental book on them. Chances are very good they are weak on balls low to the backhand.
5.Always warm up from the spots on the court that you should be hitting the most balls from during the game.
A. Hit mostly from a foot outside the baseline or one inch outside the NVZ line. Practice all your strokes before you start.
A TEAM WHO PREPARES PROPERLY BEFORE A MATCH WILL USUALLY BEAT A TEAM OF EQUAL ABILITY.
– Coach Mo
Pickleball Early Preparation
EARLY PREPARATION is the most important part of the game. It is the most common mistake, because players do not realize they are not prepared early enough. Players in their quest to get to the NVZ line tend to be running out of control at the point of contact of the ball on their opponents paddle. Players sacrifice early preparation for a better position on the court which is very poor technique because if you are moving at point of contact of the ball on your opponents paddle then you are not able to hit a low ball, go back for a lob, or move right or left as quick.
The proper technique is to split step [feet are parallel to each other and shoulder width apart. Similar to the old game of hop scotch] and hesitate for a split second in the proper ready position at the point of contact of your opponent touching the ball. Watch the face of your opponents paddle to be able to read if you will be hitting a forehand or backhand shot and be prepared to cross step to the ball (click here for Pickleball Footwork video).Using the slit step allows you to have a little forward motion and be in control to move quickly in either direction.
If you use this technique every single time your opponent touches the ball it will make you a quicker and more consistent player.
– Coach Mo
A GOOD VOLLEYER USES GOOD BOWLING TECHNIQUEA bowler first PAUSES to aim the ball at his target— steps toward his target— and follows through toward his target.
A good volleyer PAUSES to aim the face of his paddle at his target— steps toward this target (if possible)— and follows through toward his target.
Whenever possible PAUSE to aim (set the proper angle and direction of the face of your paddle) step and finish toward your target. Do not rush or guess… AIM!