unless the ball is short , and a short angle is possible . Women ’ s doubles mean court coverage with lateral movement always bisecting the angle of the ball .
Mixed doubles are more complicated because power is an added factor and the woman is the target . Poaching is essential . The man is positioned toward the center of the court . He has priority on all balls . Priority does not mean he takes them all , it just means priority . The woman is the backup . She must shift along the line to cover the center when he is out of position .
Intimidation is a major factor so the male player must be ready to take chances . Lobbing the woman can keep him back off the net . Then they must reestablish position at the NVZ . The woman must make the other man work . A good lob can keep him off that center mark at the NVZ line . Her goal is to volley deep to keep the ball in play and to give her partner time to poach . And , she must move to allow him full access to overheads . Then she must reestablish her position at the NVZ line .
As long as the man can cover the lobs , the woman can play close to the NVZ line . If she is getting lobbed to death , she needs to drop back off the line and take the lob away from the opponent . Movement along the NVZ line in mixed requires adjustment in order to keep the man dominant .
Men ’ s doubles requires speed to the NVZ line and depth of shots when you get there . It ’ s very important that the first player to the ball has priority ; men ’ s doubles requires control of the flow of play . Trust is an important element . Because men tend to be taller and have better reach at the net , men ’ s doubles requires a lot of shot making . They can reach the ball and have the power to hit it hard , but are they in position to cover the next shot ? Movement along the NVZ is critical to stay out of the partner ’ s way .
A good game to practice lateral movement is playing a game using only the NVZ itself . Serve inside the NVZ and move the ball around like a regular match . Practice covering the center when your partner is moved wide . Shift to maintain coverage of the center . Determine who will hit the center ball so that both players are not leaving the angle shots open . Give an angle , get an angle . Sometimes hitting straight on at the person is more effective because it offers fewer options to them .
As Marne Smith moves laterally to her left to hit a backhand dink , her partner Alicia Russell shifts to her left to cover the center of the court . Alicia is prepared to cover the high-percentage down-the-middle shot . Note that both players are bending their knees and staying low with their weight on the balls of their feet so they can change direction quickly .
Learn to move in tandem so that once you get to the line in a real match , you ’ re comfortable with the flow of angles , misdirections , and body shots .
A second drill for lateral movement is to practice serving , returning down the middle , and require a poach . Or serve , return down the line , and close in a cone shape centered on the ball . Set up patterns that require correct movement to the NVZ line . Players should come in following the line of ball . They should play a full game requiring specific shots . You need to learn your strengths and the consequences of your weaknesses .
Moving laterally should be fluid . It helps some players to point their paddles at the ball as they move into the net , sort of like sighting a rifle . The paddle carries you forward . Once you have arrived at the NVZ line you still need to keep your eyes forward on the ball while you position your body to stay balanced for the stroke or volley .
Good dinkers often look like crabs . They keep low and don ’ t get their feet crossed . Just because the area to be covered is not large does not mean that you can hesitate . Know your geometry , communicate , and trust . •
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 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 .