want to hit to your signature shot. If your forehand
is a hard drive, learn to change pace with a slice
backhand. Consistency is a necessity since you don’t
have the advantage of size.
Those are just two examples of the building
process.
What if you are left-handed? That is a whole new
Bear. It is a tremendous advantage to be left-handed,
but you must build a game around it. A lefty has a
natural rolling forehand that pulls the opponent off
the court to the opponent’s backhand. Work hard
on making it a weapon. Work on your softer slice
backhand as a change of pace. It also gives you time
to get in good position for your next big forehand.
A lefty should work on that crazy angle crosscourt
forehand dink. Also, improve your stacking and
hitting the forehand return straight down the
middle from the deuce court. The ball will carry out
away from the returner. All of your shots should
build around that big forehand. Mix up your serves.
Not only do your opponents have to deal with the
ball coming at a different angle, they have to deal
with a variety of serves. Keep them off guard without
allowing them to gain a rhythm. Develop a good
overhead wide to the backhand side. You have it
naturally. Left-handedness is only an advantage
if you build a game around it in order to take
advantage of your strengths.
So if you are a beginner, how do you find that
signature shot? It is the shot you like to hit. It is
the shot you like to practice. It is the shot that sets
up the point. It is the shot that you can count on.
It goes in during the big points. So, practice it by
doing accuracy drills. Know that you can count on it
when there is an opening. Think of it as the keystone
of your game and develop supporting shots. For
example, if your forehand drive is your strength,
develop a high, deep backhand so that the opponent
will hit a weak return that you can run around and
crush with your forehand. That is the game plan.
The forehand gets all the glory, but the set-up shot
was the unglamorous backhand semi-lob.
Now your Bear has a pickleball visor. Work on
building a complete outfit. In the meantime, watch
the young pros and see how they combine their
shots. Sharp angles and deep shots make exciting
singles play. Net dominance and change of pace
make doubles fun to watch. Start to copy the shot
you like and build a Ben Bear or a Tyson Bear or a
Lucy or Irina. Think in terms of a complete game,
not just random shots. Make yourself be that
Picklebear! •
PROLITE NEW LOOKS!
CRUSH HIGH
TIDE
CRUSH
SUNRISE
TITAN PRO
COPPERHEAD
SUPERNOVA
PRO LUMINOUS
TEAL
SUPERNOVA
PRO
AMETHYST
CRUSH
IRIDESCENCE
TITAN PRO
GOLD RUSH
TITAN PRO
SILVER LINING
SUPERNOVA
PRO COSMIC
RED
CYPHER PRO
COPPER
AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2020 | MAGAZINE 59