Pickleball Magazine 2-2 Courtesy of The Pickleball Guru | Page 29

PICKLEBALL TIPS
QUICK
TIP
BISECT THE ANGLE OF THE BALL
for Better Court Coverage and Tactics
BY ALICE TYM – USAPA AMBASSADOR, IPTPA MEMBER,
IFP BOARD MEMBER, SSIPA FOUNDING MEMBER
Footwork is a discipline. The knowledge of geometry is power.
Combining the two will greatly improve your pickleball skills.
W
hile the slow player moves laterally along the
baseline, the knowledgeable player bisects the angle
of the ball and moves forward, ready to hit the ball early.
This accomplishes several pickleball goals:
1. The player moves a shorter distance because he is
moving toward the net, not wide along the baseline.
2. The player is now in better court position (i.e. closer
to the kitchen line to volley).
3. The player gives his opponent less time to prepare
because he is taking the ball earlier.
4. The player is capable of hitting a better angle when
he is closer to the net.
5. The player is able to hit an approach shot rather than
a backcourt groundstroke.
To discipline yourself to bisect the angle of the ball, practice
a simple cross-court drill.
It is important for both players to start and return
to the center of the baseline after every shot — no lazy
camping out in the corner. Every possible ball must be
taken without moving laterally. Every short ball should be
taken as an approach shot and the drill finished at the net.
Look for the short ball. The key to success is early paddle
preparation. If you are there and not prepared, your good
footwork is wasted. If your opponent hits a very deep ball
that drives you back, at least you are prepared. Your goal,
of course, is to keep him back with a deep ball and take the
net yourself. Good footwork is an essential discipline and
is a major factor in determining your level of play. •
MARCH/APRIL 2017 |
MAGAZINE
27