INSTRUCTION
BY ALICE TYM
A
t the Great Plains Regional, a player asked me why she was hitting the ball long so often
(it wasn’t the altitude). At the US Open, I watched a top pro lift his backhand down-the-
line passing shot only to see it volleyed away for a winner over and over again. At home,
one of our players asked why her shots were so short and had no real authority. These players
share a common, relatively-easy-to-correct fault. Your game and your improvement are
predicated on certain basic cornerstones.
The key to control height, direction and depth is preparation. You must take your
paddle back early. Otherwise, the ball is playing you rather than you playing the ball.
1. If your shots are going long, you may be hitting the ball off
of your back foot because you have taken your paddle back
late and are not ready to step into the ball.
2. If you’re lofting the ball, it’s because you’re late in your
preparation, unable to step in, and consequently leaning
back away from the net. You’re feeding the opponent
cupcakes if he’s at the NVZ.
3. If your shots are falling short, you’re probably not taking
your paddle back early enough to put your legs into the
shot. You’re hitting the ball with your arms and upper
body. This is a ticket to tennis elbow. Good players hit the
ball with their legs. They drive their bodies into the ball.
In pickleball this is a real advantage because that forward
motion carries you up to the NVZ where you want to be. If
you’re hitting off of your back foot, it’s the other guy who is
getting to the net first!
4. Your movement to the ball will improve if you take your
paddle back early. Whether it’s a wide forehand or an
overhead, the first thing you need to do is take your paddle
back to get you started moving in the right direction. When
you get to the ball, you’re ready to make the shot.
“A good way
to practice early
preparation is to hit
against a wall and say,
‘Paddle back’ the second
that ball comes off
the wall.”
5. If the surface is fast and the
ball is kicking back at you, you
must take your paddle back early in
order to meet the ball in front of you.
6. If your opponent is a strong hitter, you have to raise the
level of your game to match his pace. This begins with
preparation. You can't hit what you are not ready to hit.
7. You must be able to adjust to the speed of various surfaces,
wind conditions, ball types and background conditions. It’s
much easier to adjust if you’re disciplined and prepared.
Then you aren't rushed and you can make a smooth
transition.
8. There’s always a desire to be a better player and to play
with better players. To step up your game you need a solid
foundation. Preparation is the key and getting your paddle
back early is the cornerstone to early preparation. When
your paddle is back, your feet move. When your footwork is
good, your body is in position to hit the ball with a forward
motion. You have choices to hit early and go crosscourt or
you can delay and go down the line. You are playing the ball,
not vice versa. You are in control.
A good way to practice early preparation is to hit against a wall
and say, “Paddle back” the second that ball comes off the wall.
Push your paddle back with your opposite hand or pull it back
for a backhand. Make it a habit. Then, when a match is close,
you will have good habits to rely on and know what to do. •
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 |
MAGAZINE
27