Pickleball Magazine 6-1 WD | Page 69

The Modern Singles Game
Today , singles is a completely different game at the top level . It ’ s dynamic , versatile , and incredibly strategic . Boring three- to four-shot rallies are mostly a thing of the past , with more exciting 10- to 11-shot rallies taking a primary role .
The players at the top of the game have learned to use skills formerly thought to be reserved only for doubles . The 3rd ball is no longer a risky all-or-nothing attempt ; it is merely the start of a point . The game is played at the net , just like in doubles . The return is followed in , and the server will aim to move in as soon as possible .
The thing about singles is that the pickleball court is pretty big . There ’ s a lot of space to cover , and sometimes your opponent hits a shot so well that you won ’ t be able to cover it . It ’ s one of the most frustrating feelings in the world , and yet it is that exact fact that makes the strategy of the game so captivating .
It ’ s kind of like a chess match played at high speed . If you make one wrong move or place the ball incorrectly , the point is over , checkmate . In doubles , we often talk about the importance of ball placement , and naturally that ’ s just as important — in fact , even more so — in singles . The difference in singles is that the dynamic position of the player is just as crucial .
In doubles it ’ s relatively easy to approach the net . You simply hit a drop into the kitchen and both players move straight forward into position at net . In singles , you don ’ t have the luxury of a partner to help you cover the court ’ s width . You can ’ t just move straight forward ; you have to move methodically and strategically .
Approaching in singles is different . Let me explain the common dilemma . You serve , and now you are probably thinking , “ The court looks huge . I will just hit the ball into all of that wide-open space .” But there ’ s a problem . Your opponent followed their return into the net . Now the court looks a lot smaller , and to make matters worse , you feel rushed . Facing this pressure , you will likely experience the fight-or-flight response and make a split decision based purely on survival .
How do we prevent this chain of events from happening ? Mind control . No , not controlling other people with your mind , but controlling the thoughts occurring inside your brain . Learn to keep the facts of the game in the forefront of your mind . The net height , court size , and most importantly , the kitchen ’ s dimensions do not change . Focus on the three things that do physically change : your position , your opponent ’ s position , and the position of the ball .
Watch the top pro players move around the court . It almost seems like they know where the next ball is going
before it ’ s even hit , right ? Can they read minds ? Well , sort of .
Anticipation : the visualization of a future event or state . This visualization is the magic of the top pro players . It comes from a combination of experience , knowledge of opponent , risk management , and , most importantly , the dynamic positions of the ball and players . This kind of skill takes years of practice to master , but you can benefit from it with only a few minutes of training . Seriously , you can improve your anticipation through active visualization . You probably already know how to do it . Think about that one friend you play with every week and where they hit their favorite shots . Now practice that same visualization with your opponents , and you ’ ll be anticipating their shots in no time .
Physical movement and shot selection . You ’ re probably thinking , “ The mindset stuff is great , dude , but if I can ’ t move well , what good is it anyway ?” I get it , I really do — singles involves more dynamic movement , and that can be intimidating at first . But remember , if you can control your mind , you can control shot selection , and if you can control your shot selection , you can control your movement .
Here is a relatively simple concept to keep in mind when you feel pressured and rushed : If I can make my opponent move , it gives me more time to move . This notion completely flips the typical , instinctive mindset of “ I feel rushed and pressured ; I need to make my opponent feel more rushed and pressured .”
How do I make my opponent move ? First , get rid of all of your “ singles shots ” and free your mind of all preconceived notions about the singles game . Watch , study , and analyze the top pros and try to emulate their shot selections in slow motion .
Play your typical doubles game but play it from the middle of the court instead of the middle of your side . Pay attention to your movement , and learn which positions and situations frustrate your opponent the most . If you position yourself incorrectly , don ’ t kill yourself running after the ball in a panic , trying to make up for it . Stop , make a mental note to correct your position on the next point , and feel the difference it makes . You will eventually build good habits and learn how to play singles in a controlled way that you enjoy . •
Top 5 touring pro pickleball player Frank Anthony Davis ( FAD ) won the 2019 USAPA Heritage Tournament Triple Crown and was the National Pro singles bronze medalist , and the Chicago Open champion .
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JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2021 | MAGAZINE 67