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Tips and Techniques to Improve Your GamePickleball is a fun, fast-paced game that is said to be the fastest growing sport in the world today. It is easy to learn and can be played by all ages. Played with a hard paddle and a plastic, perforated ball on a badminton-sized court over a tennis-type net, pickleball is a favorite among young and old alike. It is now a hotly contested sport in many of the U.S. Senior Olympic games and is taught in schools and colleges all over the United States. Here are some tips that may help you become a better player. These tips are divided into sections with links below. For a ready reference with more great playing tips and general instruction, refer to The Art of Pickleball, a good book for beginners and experienced players alike.
The Basics and General Thoughts about the GameKeep Your Head Still Throughout the ShotWhen you miss a shot, you may think you weren't watching the ball. Sometimes you are watching the ball, but you may not be keeping your head still. When you hit a ball, your eyes will instinctively follow the ball's path until the moment of contact (even if you can't really see the ball traveling that fast). Keeping your head still throughout your shot will help you maintain better balance. This is particularly important on shots close to the net, especially when you have to to run up to reach the ball. It's very tempting to raise your head just before you contact the ball in order to watch the intended target. This typically results in poor ball contact and a loss of accuracy. If you can keep your head still through the entire swing, your shots will be stronger, more consistent, and more accurate. Get Ready for Each Shot What happens if you don't make it up to the non-volley zone line and get caught in mid-court? This isn't the area you'd like to be, but it doesn't matter where you are on the court -- still at the baseline, halfway up to the non-volley zone line, or waiting there: the moment your opponent's paddle makes contact with the ball, assume the ready position. Really do this! Don't just think, oh, I can just stop moving. Put your paddle up and in front of you. Keep your weight on the balls of your feet and be ready to move, keeping your eye on the ball. Then, after you hit the ball, head for the non-volley zone as soon as it's safe to do so. Pay Attention to the Details The little things can win or lose a game. UCLA basketball coach John Wooden used to start every season by teaching his players how to tie their shoes. Actually, he had them learn to put on their socks properly first. All this because it avoided blisters and made game play much more comfortable. It's the little things that can make a large difference in your game. The grip of your paddle – is it too large or small? Is it too short or too long? Is your paddle too heavy? Not responsive enough? Take time to analyze the details and try new things to make your game better. Find the Right Ready Position The ready position most people are familiar with is with your feet about shoulder width apart, knees bent slightly, your weight on the balls of your feet, and your paddle pointing toward the net so that you are ready to move to your forehand or backhand, depending on how the ball comes to you. This position comes from tennis where the court is large and there is more time between your opponent's hit and your return. Using this ready position is fine when you're at the baseline, but it may not be the best choice when you are up at the non-volley zone. This close to the net, there often isn't time to move from this ready position and make contact with a shot coming at you quickly, especially a volley. Try this instead: Hold your paddle in the backhand position up in front of your chest. This way, you can return most shots by simply rotating the paddle. If the ball comes to your forehand side, just rotate your body toward the ball and you'll be able to reach the forehand volley. How to Practice Pickleball I asked a few players what they do to practice. A few said that they don't practice and just play, working on shortcomings at the same time. Most, however, said that practice is essential to improving their skills. They say that only with practice do elements of their game become automatic, allowing them to play better all around, and I agree. Most people's practice fell into three categories:
Whichever group fits you—practice, if done correctly, will get you there. First, determine what you need or want to work on. Second, make sure you're doing it correctly so you don't have to “unlearn” it later. Most practice requires another person to help you by throwing or hitting balls to you. Correcting Part of Your Game Some players commented that elements of their game “disappeared” sometimes and suddenly they weren't hitting overheads properly or their serves weren't accurate anymore. Have someone watch you and suggest what you might try to change, or pay attention to your stroke, timing, and/or your body position to figure out what the problem might be. Once you've identified the problem, practice doing it the right way (or at least a different way), concentrating on only that thing. In a little while, the “new” method should become habit, and you won't have to think about it anymore. Perfecting a Skill Many people use drills to help them become better in a certain area. Players mentioned these areas most: 1) dinking, 2) serves or groundstrokes, and 3) backhand weakness. A couple of people mentioned some fun ways to practice the first two. Pat Kane loves a game called “Back Ball” where players stay back near the baseline and must let the ball bounce before hitting it -- no volleying allowed. This game really improves the accuracy of your ground strokes, and it's fun. Another game variation improves dinking. In this game, the non-volley zone line is considered the baseline and balls hit beyond that line are “out.” Playing this dinking game is great for practicing the dink in a competitive situation. Players who don't yet feel comfortable with the soft game can use this method to get better at it quickly. As for backhands, the best answer is to have someone hit balls to your backhand side repeatedly until it's easier. Again, you have to analyze what you're doing in order to decide what other things to try. One player mentioned that instead of using the standard backhand he's used for years (imported from his days as a tennis player), he's trying something new that he saw another player use. Check out the section in this web site where I discuss different ways to hit backhand strokes. Practice Makes You Better (If Not Perfect) Practice really will make your game better. However, remember that your body is eager to learn whatever you teach it, and it will accept bad or wrong information as eagerly as good. This means that you should always try to "do it right." Sue Gardiner said, "Repetitive practice and immediate feedback is so important for learning." Having someone watch you play and analyze what you're doing wrong or what could make your game better can be a big help. Sue said, "I was struggling with a good serve in the (Senior) Olympics. My women's doubles partner ... analyzed my serve first and determined that I was trying to hit the ball too high in the stroke. So I served around 75 serves from both sides concentrating on hitting the ball low and giving it some topspin. It worked great." Playing with people who are better than you are will improve your game. But practice of all sorts, including drills, will help you, assuming you can know what you should work on or change. Denise Williams wrote, "When players just go out and play and don't try to learn and perfect and strategize shots, then they are just holding at status quo. It it essential to take the things you learned while practicing and apply them in a game (like drop-in) and be willing to make mistakes to improve your shots. So hopefully you have an understanding partner." Bob Halpin has many great tips on his web site, and he shared some with me regarding practice. "I like to practice hitting ground strokes back and forth from the baseline first. Then move on to one player up and one back for a while, hitting firm groundstrokes and firm volleys. Nobody trys to put it away while doing these drills. Then one player up and one back with the back person practicing dinks [drop shots] from the baseline and the net player simply hitting it back nicely to him. Then lobs and overhead practice, which is the only way to get good at both. Volleys to each other from the non-volley line starting at 1/2- to 3/4-speed until the ball is going back and forth 6 to 10 times each time. Then speed up the hits until someone starts to miss too often. I like to practice singles using 1/2 of the court so I can practice my doubles stratagy even though we only have 2 people. Reaction volley drills are great,. but are difficult unless the players are fairly good. After doing everything above, you can play games and still practice if you don't worry about winning all the time. Play a game where you lob a lot and a game where you dink a lot." Are You Perfect Yet? If not, folks I talked with say you should practice. It will help develop your game and improve skills that need attention. While much of pickleball is mental, developing automatic responses and honing your skills will make you a better player. Perfection is only more practice away. Making Good Use of the Court / Planning Your Shots
Making Good Use of the Court / Planning Your Shots
Backhand TechniquesA while ago, I wrote an article for the USAPA newsletter where I discussed how people practice pickleball. One of the folks who gave me input was Vic Avery, and during research for that article he offered some other thoughts, too. One was about backhand shots. He said, "I had a serious problem in singles because of a weak backhand on groundstrokes. Once, while watching Pat Kane 's backhand, I saw he used a totally different technique from mine. I was using the tennis style: square your body to the court (facing the side fence) and use mostly arm for the power (a sweeping motion in a plane parallel to the ground). Opponents found it easy to read the direction and speed of my shots. I tried his method—punching it by
The result was far more power and the ability to go either left or right at the last second.” Vic's reply caused me to start thinking about the different backhand techniques I have seen in play and to wonder about the evolution of pickleball strokes that are separate and distinct from those we brought with us from tennis, racquetball, or other sports. I was also curious about the backhand particularly because many players say they find it more difficult than their forehand strokes. So I asked a sampling of players again: “tell me how you handle the backhand in pickleball.” Rock Kane wrote, “Whenever I can, and I know someone is going to my backhand , I try to get quickly into a position to be able to use my forehand which is my stronger hit.” Many players agree with Rock, saying their forehand strokes are stronger than their backhands. Certainly, if you have time to get into position for a forehand stroke and it won't pull you so far out of position that your next return might in jeopardy, I'd agree that taking a forehand would be preferred by most. Rock continued, “Also, when reaching for a backhanded shot, I slip my hand to the end of the paddle [handle] to give me more paddle hitting surface in the reach.” Dick Lewis said his baseline backhand is “very similar to the tennis groundstroke.” He went on to say, “The backhand shot should be easier then the forehand.” I mentioned that this goes counter to what most people say, although I have always felt that backhand and forehand should both be equally difficult (or easy, depending on your point of view). I asked him why he thought the backhand should be easier? His answer, regarding the backhand from the baseline: “You need to turn sideways to the net. By doing this you already have your arm back and in the proper position on the backhand” [because you don't have to take as much backswing compared to the forehand groundstroke]. Dick then described a number of ways to hit the ball (imparting topspin, hitting the ball flat, and cutting for backspin, which he says is the hardest shot but very effective against lower-level opponents). Lastly, he described “a different backhand shot where you bring your arm forward and snap your wrist at impact to the ball. The shot would be similar to the flat shot. With practice this can be the easiest of all backhand shots.” He and Vic are speaking the same language. I asked him, “What about the backhand ‘pops' that are done from the non-volley-zone line?” “While at the net, you would have a continental grip, which is where the "V" between your thumb and index finger would be in the center of the grip. The paddle is held in the ready position, which is chest high. The quick backhand would be hit by twisting your body to the left, if you were right-handed, and slapping the ball, moving the paddle forward. The paddle should never be taken back further then your peripheral vision. An example would be, facing the net, taking the paddle back as far as you can see without moving your head.” Finally, we discussed the shot he described with the flick of the wrist. I told him I've seen this done up at the non-volley zone, too. He agreed, but said he uses it only with high backhand overheads. To put a wrap to this research, I called Vic back, and we went out to the court together so I could see just what he meant in action. I photographed his movements for his original “tennis-type” stroke as well as the new strokes, both at the baseline and the non-volley zone line. Here's what he showed me and what he explained in more detail.
The picture above shows the backhand stroke Vic started with. The paddle swings through fairly flat, parallel to the ground. The ball is hit forward of the body with the wrist locked through the entire swing. As with all strokes from the baseline, it is important to make room for the shot: step back or forward, as necessary, in preparation for the movement of the shot itself. (We'll cover good footwork in the next article.)
The “new” backhand is shown above. In this stroke, Vic's wrist is not locked but can be seen to unleash its own power just at the moment the paddle contacts the ball. This stroke is made perpendicular to the ground, going from the backswing down and finishing up high. Much additional power is gained in this type of stroke due to the wrist action.
The picture above shows the standard stroke when close to the net. Again, it's a flatter stroke and the wrist is locked throughout the swing.
In the new version of the backhand at the non-volley zone, the wrist snaps at the moment of impact, imparting extra power to the ball.
Finally, the overhead backhand shown above works beautifully because of the wrist action given to the shot. Vic says it's also easier to add spin to the ball when using more wrist in the shot as well. This list is taken from The Art of Pickleball, © copyright Gale H. Leach. Ace— A serve that is not returned by the opponent. Approach Shot— A shot hit forehand or backhand while running up to the net. Backcourt— The area of the court within a few feet of the baseline. Backhand— A stroke hit on the side of the body opposite from the hand holding the paddle. Backspin— Spin imparted to the ball by stroking it from high to low, causing it to spin in the direction opposite to its flight. Also called underspin, slice, or chop. Backswing— Moving the paddle back from the ready position to prepare for a shot. Baseline— The line at the back of the pickleball court (22 feet from the net). Bounce It— A directive from your partner to let the ball bounce (because your partner thinks it will land out of bounds). Carry— Hitting the ball in such as way that it is carried along on the face of the paddle during its forward motion. Centerline— The line bisecting the service courts that extends from the non-volley zone line to the baseline. Chop— The motion from high to low that puts backspin on the ball. Closed Face— The top of the paddle face is angled downward about 30 degrees from vertical. Crosscourt— The opponent's court diagonally opposite yours. Dead Ball— The ball is ruled to be dead when a fault is declared. Deep— Far into the court, near the baseline. Dink— A soft, low shot, initiated from within or just behind the non-volley zone, that lands in the opponent's non-volley zone. Double Bounce Rule— After a serve, each team must play their first shot off the bounce, after which the ball can be played off the bounce or volleyed. Doubles— A game played with four people divided into two teams, each team having two players. Teams can be two men, two women, or a woman and a man (mixed doubles). Down the Line— A shot hit near a sideline that travels close and parallel to the same line. Drive— A low shot hit to the opponent's backcourt. Drop Shot— soft shot, usually initiated from mid- to backcourt, that arcs just over the net and lands within the opponent's non-volley zone. Drop Shot Volley— A soft volley shot that is designed to slow the speed of the ball and return it short, just behind the net. Face— The broad surface on the head of the paddle used to hit the ball. Flat Face— The hitting surface of the paddle is kept parallel to the net. Fault— An infringement of the rules that ends the rally. Follow Through— A continuation of the motion of your swing that follows the direction you wish the ball to travel. Foot Fault— Failure to keep at least one foot behind the baseline and touching the ground at the moment the paddle contacts the ball during a serve, or stepping on or into the non-volley zone while volleying a ball. Forehand— A stroke hit on the same side of the body as the hand holding the paddle. Game— Regulation games are played to 11 points (a team must win by two points). Some local games are played to 15 points. Grip— How you hold the handle of the paddle, or the material that is wrapped around the handle. Ground Stroke— A stroke made after the ball has bounced. Half Volley— A ground stroke in which the paddle contacts the ball after it bounces but before it rises to its potential height. Usually hit just a few inches from the ground. Head— The part of the paddle above the handle that is used to hit the ball. Kitchen— An affectionate name for the non-volley zone. Let Serve— A serve that touches the top of the net and lands in the proper service court (it is replayed without penalty). Lob— A shot that sends the ball high overhead and deep, forcing the opponent back to the baseline. Midcourt— The area between the non-volley zone and the backcourt. Non-Volley Zone— A seven-foot area adjacent to the net within which you may not volley the ball. The non-volley zone usually includes all lines around it. Open Face— The top of the paddle face is angled upward about 30 degrees from vertical. Overhead Shot— A shot made with the paddle over head height. Often synonymous with smash or slam, although it can refer to any shot made at that height, whether hard or soft. Passing Shot— A shot that passes beyond the reach of the player and lands in bounds. Typically played against an opponent who is advancing on the non-volley zone or who is already there. Poach— In doubles, to cross over into your partner's area to play a ball. Punch— A short, quick shot, without significant backswing or follow through, usually during a volley. Put Away— A ball hit such that the opponent cannot return it. A winning shot. Rally— Hitting the ball back and forth between opponents. Serve (Service)— An underhand lob or drive stroke used to put a ball into play at the beginning of a point. Server Number— When playing doubles, either “1” or “2,” depending on whether you are the first or second server for your side. This number is appended to the score when it is called. Shadowing— Moving in tandem with your partner so that you stay about 10 feet from each other and avoid leaving open spaces on your half of the court. Shot— The flight of the ball after it leaves the paddle. Sideline— The line at the side of the court. Singles— A game played with two people, one on each side. Slice— Another name for backspin or underspin. Smash or Slam— A hard, overhead shot. Stroke— The action of hitting the ball. Technical Foul— The referee may add one point to a player's score or a team's score when, in the referee's judgment, the opponent is being deliberately abusive. Topspin— Spin applied to the ball by stroking it from low to high, causing it to rotate in the direction of its flight. Volley— To hit the ball before it bounces. © 2009 Gale H. Leach with thanks to Denise Williams, Dave Muslin, Dick Lewis, Rock and Pat Kane, Bob Halpin, Sue Gardiner, Bill Booth, Bob Barczak, and Vic and Pauline Avery for all their help. |
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