PICKLEBALL INSTRUCTION
THE IMPORTANCE OF
BEING CENTERED
By Alice Tym
I run a quarter horse farm . Horse people say horses need to be " collected ." All four legs need to be beneath a horse ' s body , ready to move in unison in the same gait and in the same direction . Think quarter horse .
A pickleball player needs to be centered . Your head should be over your shoulders , your shoulders should be over your hips , and your hips over your feet . Shoulders and hips matter , your eyes matter and your feet matter . It ’ s as if you ’ re suspended from a string that runs through the center of your body . Practice good posture on and off the court . Make it a habit to move with grace . Maintain your balance . Tai Chi instruction is worthwhile . instruction is worthwhile .
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BE CENTERED ? HERE ARE SIX IMPORTANT REASONS :
1 . It ’ s a component to prevent injury because you ’ re less likely to be off balance . Your moving parts are in the location where they ’ re meant to be . Having no unnecessary or awkward pressure on your joints is important . You ’ re using your hips and legs for power , not your shoulders , arms and wrist . Big muscles do the heavy work . Because your head is centered , your eyes don ’ t have to constantly refocus and readjust . Your movement is fluid .
2 . You ’ re less likely to fall because your feet are under you , and you maintain balance throughout your stroke . You ’ re not rolling over your ankles or popping muscles that are being forced to extend beyond their normal range .
3 . When you ’ re centered , you ’ re not lunging at the ball , unable to recover and maintain your position . When you ’ re off balance , you leave a portion of the court open . Your opponent can hit behind you before you can recover . This is an important reason to have compact strokes in pickleball — not a big tennis swing . Stretched out in a big follow-through leaves you committed . Better to be collected and centered for the next shot .
4 . You have more shot options . If your paddle is up and in front of you and you ’ re squared off at the net , your opponent has no obvious place to hit . That leaves the middle as the probable shot location , and you both have that covered . Think of a prizefighter throwing jabs . If he gets off balance , he ’ s vulnerable — when he stays centered , he maintains his stance .
5 . When hitting overheads , you ’ re able to push up through your body ( feet , legs , hips , shoulders and wrist ) for added pace . Full extension also allows for a better angle . Consistency of direction in your overhead is improved because being centered allows for repetition , and repetition improves your consistency . You push off on your right foot and extend . Your body is not broken up by angles at the waist or shoulders . You maintain one fluid motion with your entire body . And your feet are under you , ready to close back up to the net . Again , think quarter horse .
6 . Being centered ultimately requires fewer steps . You ’ re not constantly scrambling . You ’ re moving with a purpose . When you get to the ball , you ’ re prepared to stroke it calmly , coolly , collected — and centered . •
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