PICKLEBALL TIPS
QUICK
TIP
Maximizing Your
Pickleball Potential
Seek Qualified Instruction
The instructor should be knowledgeable (a 5.0
tournament player with instructional experience
and possibly certified would be ideal). The
instructor should assess a player’s skills, and then
suggest specific techniques, drills, and strategies
to improve the player’s weaknesses in the most
critical areas considering the level of the player. As
a player’s skills improve the instructor should be
revisited for the next level of learning.
Drill with a Practice Partner
Drills should be meaningful, mindful, and regular.
Don’t just hit the ball but have specific techniques,
targets, and goals. The more frequent and focused
the drills, the more rapid the improvement
Play Competitive Games
Games should be with players of similar ability
in competitive situations. A USAPA ladder league
is an excellent way to determine your skill level,
play with players of similar ability, and document
improvement.
S
K
I
L
L
L
E
V
E
L
The Learning Curve
Instruction+drills+games
playing games
TIME
Paul Porch, a Columbia River Pickleball Club
member, has medaled at the USAPA Nationals and
Huntsman World Senior Games. He has instructed
pickleball at clinics, festivals, and classes, been
honored as a pickleball pro by Pickleball Central, and
is a member of the USAPA committee to improve the
player rating system.
www.PickleballRocks.com
JANUARY 2016 |
MAGAZINE
13