Getting better at Pickleball

24 March 2024 - 2 mins read time
Tags: Pickleball

Tips to get better at Pickleball

Aspects to mind:

Trajectory: Have a nice arch. The further back the higher, the closer the lower the ball.
Footwork:
- Back: Constantly move to the ball with many adjustment steps to keep the balance.
- Kitchen: One big step left or right. Don’t get of balance or dance.
Technique:
- Grip: Continental - index knuckle is on angled notch of the racket.
- Use a compact motion (no floppy fish).
- Stay on the same side (don’t go cross body) - drawing a line towards target.
- Power comes from shoulder.
- Spin: Use the slice for a while.

Using the ATP: Use around the post shot when you get a very angular dink.
Dink to the backhand: People are stronger on the forehand, therefore always dink to their backhand (most people are right hand) which might cause pop-ups.
Serving Strategy: Only go for hard serves if you’re ahead, or do it with people that don’t have a great return.
Attack by redirecting the ball: If you go cross-court with dinks, then accelerate down the line.
When to be patient: Exact players, the more patient one will win. Mostly play conservative. Make them go for the dumb shots.
Attack on the right balls: use every pop-up.
Where to aim putaway shots: At their feet or open court (if they are in the middle), or straight down the middle if they are outside.
The best time to poach: When one is long and you are short, poach.
Mental hack to win more: expect speedups at the kitchen every time. Check his hand, keep your paddle up.

Having a strong ready position:. Always keep the paddle up and ready and have a wide base on the legs. (Be low like a ferrari).
Drop: Move forward on a good drop, if it’s okay stay in transition zone, if it is bad - stay back.
Kitchen: If you are about to get killed, make a step back.
Always get quick to the kitchen of your returns.

“DON’T GET PUNCHED IN THE FACE”

Ready Position: How we’re waiting for the ball

Kitchen

When defending a hard shot, do very little backswing.
Use the crab walk.
Only move your arm, keep the rest still. Don’t do a jump.
Always go immediately back to the ready position.
Very little motion.
Right shoulder is being covered by quickly moving back.
Volleywar: right at opponents feet, always keep the ball low, their right shoulder, or middle/down the line (dependent on where they stand)

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