INSTRUCTION
By Alice Tym
SHOULD YOU GO TO THE NET TOGETHER OR IS IT EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF ?
There is considerable controversy as to
whether partners should go to the No Volley Zone ( NVZ ) line together at the same pace or each partner should get there as soon as he can . The idea of approaching together comes from tennis , but the pickleball court is smaller and the strategy is less complex than tennis . While there are lots of tennis players coming into pickleball , the tactics and strategy of pickleball should be analyzed independently . The games are not the same .
In general , it is preferable for the partners to move together , but clearly you do not want to leave the center of the pickleball court open . That would give the opponents the highest percentage shot available . So keeping the center covered is essential . The pickleball court is narrow enough for most players to cover their respective halves at the NVZ line . So , the objective is to get both players up to the line as soon as possible . If one player waits on the other , opportunities may be lost . But , if the player striking the ball hits a weak shot , his partner is making a suicide dash . The solution is not always a simple cliché .
Perhaps it is better to analyze each situation individually than to have a hard-and-fast rule either way . For example , in mixed doubles , if the return is hit to the woman and her partner stays back , he forfeits all opportunity to poach . And , he risks getting trapped at the baseline and being less effective in the point . Obviously , if his partner throws up a short lob , he need not make a kamikaze run to the net . He should make a quick decision based on the strength of the opponent ’ s overhead and be ready to charge the NVZ line .
Another scenario exists when one player is considerably faster than another . Should both players lag behind so that they can approach together ? No , then you are playing to the lowest common denominator . In that case , one solution is for the slower player to return the ball high and soft to the center in order to give himself time to get to the net . Beware that this shot often elicits a lob return . Both partners should be ready for the lob . But , in the course of play , the faster player may as well gain a commanding position as soon as possible . Maximize your strengths by utilizing the fast player , and minimize your weaknesses by having the slower player not hit harder than he can cover .
Robert Ann Lewis snd Mike Adkins cover the center with their forehands by stacking . Since Robert Ann is left handed , they try to keep their forehands in the middle as much as possible and use their forehands to create wide angles .
Partners need to communicate where they plan to hit and how aggressive they want each other to be . If you expect your partner to poach , it helps if he knows where to look on the court for your return .
It is very important not to fall into the “ rules ” trap rather than look for pragmatic solutions . If you have a “ rule ” that you must go to the net together , you lose sight of potential opportunities to meet your objective of getting both players to the net . Ideally , you do want both players to move forward together under control with their paddles out in front . That may mean that the slower-moving receiver has to float the return high and deep down the center to give himself more time to approach the net . It may mean that the slower receiver must learn to take the serve return on the rise so that he is moving forward as he hits .
Focus on your objective of having both players at the NVZ line as early in the point as possible . Don ’ t waste the ability of a good net player who is fast by having him wait for his partner . Develop the shots that transport you forward . Depth buys time . Both players should think forward and move forward as they hit . Having the same objective will help you react simultaneously and perform as a unit . •
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 .
PHOTO BY ALICE TYM