INSTRUCTION continued
good footwork is critical on the serve , especially in singles . Remember that path of the ball . Keep your head down and eyes on the ball so that the path is clear and visible to you . Don ’ t overthink it .
Sometimes it helps to count out the steps , one , two , three . It is also helpful to focus on placement and not get distracted by the mechanics .
Star senior player Bart Brannon suggests hitting a few backhand serves . If you are tightening up on your regular forehand serve , change your stroke completely and serve with a backhand stroke . It will force you to keep your swing alongside your body and you can at least get the ball in play with a clean stroke . Bypass the yips with creativity .
In singles , a left-handed player must decide how far to stand from the center . Here , Patti Stewart stands just 2 feet from the center white line when she serves from the left side . It reduces the angles she can get on her serve ( and lefties can get a very effective angle ), but it allows her better court position to cover the return . Her opponent will probably want to make her run to her backhand , so she is better off with a good court position and less angle on her serve . It is a tradeoff , but singles is all about court coverage . Photo by Alice Tym .
WHERE TO SERVE
Build your game around your strengths . Set up the point so that your opponent delivers what you want to hit . If you have better angles than your opponent , set up those angles with your serve . If your opponent has a good serve , negate it by hitting deep down the middle . Keep the ball in play .
All shots are interconnected . You have choices . The serve gives you the opportunity to initiate and to control those connections . Take advantage of those opportunities by being prepared .
“ Success is where preparation and opportunity meet .” — Bobby Unser •
Stay with the ball physically and mentally . The serve sets up the chess game . Serve wide to make your opponents run . Serve deep to give yourself time . Serve short to keep them honest and as a changeup . Use spin to vary the look they have on the ball . Serving gives you the opportunity for greater concentration . Pause , prepare , and deliver .
THE DREADED YIPS
What happens when you get the yips , and nothing is working for you ? Go back to fundamentals . Footwork —
Alice Tym was ranked 13th in the world for tennis in the ‘ 60s . She ’ s been named USPTA Coach of the Year and is a USPTA Master Professional . As a 4.5 pickleball player , she has won gold in Huntsman , NSGA Nationals , US Open , and USA Pickleball events around the country . Alice is an IPTPA member , SSIPA founding board member , Bainbridge Cup Originator and gold medalist in Spain , Italy , and Germany .
26 TO SUBSCRIBE , CALL 412.914.8294 OR GO TO PICKLEBALLMAGAZINE . COM